On May 18, 2023 a seminar entitled “Exchange of experience on Bangladesh’s earthquake rescue efforts in Turkey” was organized by Disaster Research Training and Management Centre (DRTMC) where Dinomoni Sharma, Team Leader, Bangladesh’s earthquake rescue efforts in Turkey, Fire Service Rescue Team and Deputy Director, Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence, Dhaka Division shared earthquake rescue efforts experiences.
Kazi Md Badoruzzaman, Deputy Director (Deputy Secretary), Department of Disaster Management was present as chief guest in the seminar. Specialist, researcher, faculty members and students from the different departments of the University were also present in the seminar.
The seminar was chaired by the Director of the Centre, Professor Dr. M. Shahidul Islam. Ms Raisa Sultana, Assistant Professor of the department of Geography and Environment, University of Dhaka moderated the seminar.
Ms Maliha Haque, Lecturer, Department of Geography and Environment, Dhaka University presented a brief situation report and review of the earthquake incident in Turkey. In her session Ms Maliha Haque focuses on the socio-economic condition of the people. One of the highest poverty affected regions was diminished by two earthquakes in southern Turkey which results around 50,000 deaths and GDP damage of 10%. Agriculture and fisheries were the most affected economic activities during the earthquake. The unpopularity of president Erdogan increased as there was a lack of preparedness for earthquake and negligence for the natural disasters. She also highlights some of the coping strategies are earthquake tax, tourism attraction and migration.
In the keynote session, Dinomoni Sharma shared his overall earthquake rescue efforts in Turkey. There were 46 members in Bangladesh rescue team. After earthquake rescue team execute their mission through three stages including operation, rehabilitation and reconstruction. Bangladesh fire fighters rescue people from earthquake affected building through “Rathole Method”. Bangladesh should create volunteer groups for rescue purposes. Portable toilets, technical devices for rescue and open space for the refugees are some of the suggestions which should have attention of policy makers to reduce after earthquake impacts on human life in Bangladesh.
Professor Dr. Md Shohrab Hossain of the department of Geology at Dhaka University added a few suggestions and recommendations to the discussion session and students and other participants also took part in the discussion session.
Finally, the program wrapped up around 2:00 pm. The vote of thanks which was given by Professor Dr. M. Shahidul Islam as the Director of the centre. He says we are honored to have the opportunity to listen to the rescue team who apply their theoretical expertise in real-life situations to save lives. It’s also our pride that as a developing country we set an example of humanitarian efforts even in even in foreign environment. Bangladesh is vulnerable to earthquake and only by executing the suggestions from experts like this rescue team, we can reduce our damage and protect our people from inevitable natural disasters.
