In the context of climate change impacts, the nature of disasters is changing, with frequent multi-dimensional disasters occurring, causing unparalleled loss to the people living in the coastal and hilly areas of the country. In Chattogram, land grabbers, under the protection of powerful local figures, are becoming more influential. Meanwhile, the administration is actively working to protect the hills and relocate people at risk of landslides to safer areas with the assistance of the disaster management committees.
In this context, there has been a significant gap in the timely delivery of early warnings and accurate information, which often leads to confusion in decision-making. In the past, the administration had to rely on estimates during heavy rainfall, which created challenges in effective disaster management. The “Early Warning System Gap Identification” workshop aimed to strengthen early warning systems for landslides in Chattogram and ensure timely, effective warning systems to mitigate the impact of landslides.
The workshop was held on November 6, 2024, at the Radisson Blu Hotel in the city, organized by YPSA, GFFO, Save the Children, and RIMES under the GFFO project, “Child Centered Anticipatory Action for Better Preparedness of Communities and Local Areas in Northern Bangladesh.” The Chief Guest of the event, Chattogram Division Commissioner Md. Tofayel Islam, emphasized the importance of strengthening early warning systems for landslides in Chattogram.
Special Guests included the Chairman of the Institute of Architects, Architect Ashik Imran, author and journalist Bishwajit Chowdhury, meteorologist Dr. Abul Kalam Malik from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, and YPSA’s Director of Social Development, Nasim Banu.
Other invited guests who participated in the workshop included: Abu Isa Ansari, Deputy Chief Town Planner of Chattogram Development Authority, Dr. Iqbal Sorar, Professor, Department of Geography and Environmental Science, Chattogram University, Abdus Shobhan, Deputy Director of the Agricultural Extension Department, Chattogram, KM Salahuddin Kamal, Chairman of Sadhanpur Union, Banshkhali, Din Moni Sharma, Deputy Director, Fire Service and Civil Defence, Chattogram, Dr. Sajia Afrin, Deputy District Livestock Officer, Dr. Basna 
Muhuri, Pediatrician, Arafat Siddiquee, Assistant Commissioner (Land), Md. Yusuf Hasan, Assistant Commissioner (Land), Chandgaon Zone, Dr. Sadika Sultana, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences and Sustainable Development, Premier University, Abdullah Al Omar, Town Planner, Chattogram City Corporation (City Corporation), Engineer Golam Morshed, Senior Officer, Public Health Centre, Mrs. Lutmina, Director, Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Chattogram, Ifthekhar Uddin, Bureau Chief, Daily Khabar Kagoj, Chattogram, Abu Salek, Agriculture Officer, Banshkhali Upazila, Dr. Supan Kumar Nandi, Livestock Officer, Banshkhali Upazila, Asim Akram, Assistant Engineer, Water Science Division, Smita Barua, Assistant Meteorologist, Chattogram, Kishwar Jahan, Lecturer, Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Chattogram University , Liton Chowdhury, Secretary, Chattogram Urban Network, Utpal Barua, Executive Director, Bright Bangladesh Forum, Javed Miadad, Manager (GFFO Anticipatory Action), Save the Children, Fatima Meherunnesa Tania, Manager (Echo Hip – Anticipatory Action), Save the Children, Sanzida Akter- project Manager, AA project YPSA
Key Discussions: The workshop focused on providing an understanding of multi-hazard anticipatory actions, discussing the current state of early warning systems for multi-hazard disasters in Bangladesh, and identifying the gaps in the current forecast-based warning systems. The discussion also included identifying solutions to these gaps in collaboration with relevant stakeholders and assisting in the formulation of a national multi-hazard protocol. The session began with a presentation by RIMES Project Coordinator Samiya Jahan Chowdhury on early warning systems and impact-based forecasts for multi-hazard disasters in Bangladesh. The discussion was moderated by YPSA’s Project Officer, Muhammad Ataul Hakim.