Gaibandha, May 24, 2025 – A simulation exercise on the National Early Action Protocol (NEAP) for Monsoon Riverine Floods was held at Nurul Haque Modern High School in Gaibandha. The event was organized by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR) and the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) of Bangladesh Government with the Anticipatory Action Technical Working Group (AATWG). 

Bangladesh, one of the top three countries most vulnerable to riverine monsoon floods, faces increasing risks due to climate change. The newly developed NEAP for Monsoon Riverine Floods aims to reduce flood impacts through anticipatory actions. Lessons from the July 2024 floods in Gaibandha, Kurigram, Jamalpur, and Bogura emphasized the need for simulations to maximize demonstrated understanding of community and institutions on the process of early action to minimize loss to lives and livelihood. 

The exercise included practical demonstrations of critical actions informed by flood forecasts, reflecting scenarios anticipated for the July 2024 flooding. It aimed to strengthen the capacity of local communities and institutions to respond effectively by familiarizing them with anticipatory measures.

“By reducing loss and damage from floods, anticipatory action can ease the strain on government relief efforts and improve overall response efficiency,” said the chair of the event, Razwanur Rahman, Director General of the Department of Disaster Management. 

Meanwhile, chief guest KM Abdul Wadud, MoDMR Additional Secretary and Chair of Forecast-based Financing/ Action (FbF/A) Taskforce, emphasized on “reducing disaster risk through anticipatory action”.

Under the umbrella of AATWG, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), CARE Bangladesh, Concern Worldwide, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Friendship, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES), Save the Children, SKS Foundation, and World Food Program (WFP) came together to improve coordination of the implementation of NEAP, with support from European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO), and Start Network. 

Md Rabiul Islam ndc, Additional Secretary (Relief), MoMDR, and Ahmadul Haque, Director CPP and EW4All focal, MoMDR were the special guests of the event. 

Guests at the simulation exercise

Additionally, Netai Chandra Dey Sarker, Director (MIM), Department of Disaster Management, Dr. Md. Shameem Hassan Bhuyian, Deputy Director, Bangladesh Meteorological Department, Sarder Udoy Raihan, Executive Engineer, Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre, Khurshed Alam, Deputy Director, Department of Agricultural Extension, Gaibandha, Shafiqul Islam, DRRO, Gaibandha, Dr. Md. Abdur Razzak, District Livestock Officer, Gaibandha, Siddiqul Islam Khan, Head of Resilience Innovation, WFP, Rahmat Ullah, Asia Partnership Advisor (ARO) & Deputy Country Director, Save the Children, and Emebet Menna, Deputy Country Director – Program, CARE Bangladesh attended as the guests in the event. A diverse array of guests also participated in the event, including high officials of Bangladesh Government, representatives from all involved organizations, volunteers, DMCs, local institutions, school students, and representatives from the community.