One of the major risks in Chattogram city is unplanned urbanization. Hill cutting, uncontrolled settlement development, and infrastructural limitations have created multiple risks across the city. In addressing these risks, the experiences and opinions of local communities are extremely important. Although it may not be possible to incorporate every issue identified at the community level, important aspects can be included in the city corporation’s action plans based on expert opinions and technical analysis.
These remarks were made by Mohammad Ashraful Amin, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary of Chattogram City Corporation, while speaking as the chief guest at the event titled “Urban Risk Assessment (URA) report Sharing and Handover Ceremony.” The event was organized by Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) on 12 March at Lalkhan Bazar in the Pitstop Restaurant.
Representatives from various sectors present at the event emphasized that the experiences and opinions of local communities are crucial in formulating any development or disaster management plan. They noted that local residents are best positioned to reflect the real picture of risks and challenges they face in their daily lives.
The presented report highlighted several key issues including the shortage of shelters, limitations in communication systems, irregularities in gas, electricity, and water supply, inactivity of disaster management committees, and lack of coordination among different government departments. Speakers opined that these issues could play an important role in future planning. They also mentioned that if the concerned authorities take necessary initiatives based on the findings of the report, it could contribute to reducing risks for city residents.
It is noteworthy that with funding from the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) and ECHO, support from Save the Children, and technical support from RIMES, Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) is implementing an Anticipatory Action project in four landslide-prone wards of Chattogram City Corporation—Ward No. 7 West Sholoshohor, Ward No. 8 Shulkobohor, Ward No. 9 North Pahartali, and Ward No. 14 Lalkhan Bazar.
Through this project, various activities are being implemented to reduce potential loss of life and property among vulnerable communities in these wards through Anticipatory Action. The project is also working on developing landslide-related early warning messages and contributing to the development of Anticipatory Action Protocols at the national level.
As part of the project activities, an integrated urban risk assessment report was prepared in the four wards with the active participation of local communities. The report was developed through ward-level field visits, mixed group sessions, community-level group discussions, and KII with relevant stakeholders.
The report prepared through this process was presented and formally handed over to Chattogram City Corporation and other relevant stakeholders.
Guests Include:
- Mohiuddin Murad – Chief Law Officer and District Judge, Chattogram City Corporation
- Soaib Uddin Khan – Additional Magistrate
- Abdur Rahman Khan – Deputy Director, Bangladesh Meteorological Department
- Mohammad Sahab Uddin– District Livestock Officer.
- Abdul Alim – District Fisheries Officer.
- Omar Faruk – Additional Deputy Director, Department of Agricultural Extension
- Golam Morshed – Social Development Officer, Department of Public Health Engineering
- Shahjalal Mishuk – Assistant Professor, Urban and Regional Planning Dept., Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET).
- Arefin – District Project Implementation Officer
- Iftekhar Uddin – Bureau Chief, Daily Khoborer Kagoj
- Morshed – Journalist, Dainik Azadi
- Nasim Banu – Director, Social Development, Young Power in Social Action (YPSA)
- Representatives from educational institutions, fire service, and ward offices.
At the beginning of the event, Dr. Morshed Hasan Molla, Program Manager (Monitoring and Research) of YPSA, presented a detailed presentation highlighting different aspects of the URA report. The event was moderated by Muhammad Ataul Hakim, Project Officer at YPSA.
At the end of the discussion, Nasim Banu, Director (Social Development) of YPSA, formally handed over the URA Report to the CEO of Chattogram City Corporation and representatives of relevant departments.
