A validation workshop on the Anticipatory Action (AA) Plan for Landslide Risk Management of Chattogram City Corporation was held on Sunday at Hotel Peninsula, on December 14, 2025, aiming to strengthen preparedness and reduce future landslide risks in the city’s most vulnerable areas.
The workshop focused on four landslide-prone wards-Ward 7 (West Sholashahar), Ward 8 (Shulakbahar), Ward 9 (North Pahartali), and Ward 14 (Lalkhan Bazar)-where unplanned settlements, hill cutting, and changing rainfall patterns have increased disaster risks.
The event was organized by Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) with the support of Save the Children, under an anticipatory action project funded by ECHO HIP and GFFO.
Speaking as the Chief Guest, Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain emphasized the importance of taking preventive action before disasters occur. He highlighted that anticipatory planning can play a vital role in saving lives and protecting urban infrastructure.
The workshop was chaired by Engineer Md. Nurul Karim, Chairman of the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA). He stated that landslide risk management must be integrated into Chattogram’s regular development planning process, rather than treated as a separate initiative.
During the discussion session, Mrs. Nasim Banu, Director (Social Development) of YPSA, responded to questions from stakeholders and highlighted the need for safe evacuation planning for communities living in high-risk hill areas. She said the project is being implemented with the support of Save the Children and funding from ECHO HIP and GFFO, adding that Bangladesh has no specific anticipatory action initiative focused exclusively on landslides, making this project a pioneering effort. She also noted that YPSA has developed a context-specific model and prepared the AA plan accordingly, which can significantly reduce landslide risks if implemented effectively.
Earlier, Fatima Meherunnesa Tani, Manager of Save the Children, presented an overview of the project activities and progress. The ward-based Anticipatory Action Plans were presented by Morshed Hasan Molla, Program Manager (Monitoring & Research), and Shahriar Alam, Project Officer of YPSA.
Participants from government departments, academic institutions, emergency services, educational institutions, and the media shared recommendations on improving early warning systems, strengthening community preparedness, protecting hills through planned urbanization, ensuring rehabilitation of vulnerable communities, and establishing safe shelter facilities.
The workshop concluded with a consensus that anticipatory action, community engagement, and coordinated planning are essential to making Chattogram safer and more resilient to landslides.
