UN praises Bangladesh Cyclone Preparedness Programme ahead of World Humanitarian Summit

22 May 2016, GENEVA – The head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, Mr. Robert Glasser, today extended his condolences to the government and people of Bangladesh on the loss of lives this weekend from Cyclone Roanu but praised the country’s preparedness measures as an example ahead of the World Humanitarian Summit which opens tomorrow in Istanbul.

Mr. Glasser who is the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction, said: “Minimising loss of life from disasters is the number one aim of reducing disaster risk and Bangladesh is a shining example of what can be achieved when you invest in local systems and volunteer networks to ensure that early warnings are acted on and that the public is risk informed.

“Bangladesh’s Cyclone Preparedness Programme mobilised some 60,000 volunteers this weekend across 18 districts leading to the orderly and safe evacuation of about 500,000 people to cyclone shelters and other places of safety. The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society is also playing an important role in preparedness and the on-going response effort.

“In 1970 Cyclone Bhola may have killed as many as 500,000 people in what was then East Pakistan. In 1991, another cyclone claimed 140,000 lives. Since then we have seen a considerable reduction in loss of life thanks to a greatly strengthened cyclone preparedness programme.

“The World Humanitarian Summit is seeking effective ways to reduce overall humanitarian response needs. Bangladesh demonstrates that it is essential to invest in disaster risk reduction if we are to make progress in reducing mortality and the numbers of people affected by disasters. Only 40 cents of every US$100 dollars spent on aid goes towards disaster risk reduction and this has to change.”