Eighty representatives of business organisations in Cox’s Bazar have received training in disaster preparedness and emergency response under the second phase of the Bangladesh Preparedness Partnership (BPP-2).
A certificate distribution and experience-sharing programme titled ‘Progress Learning and Sharing Program’ was held at Hotel Uni Resort in Kalatoli, Cox’s Bazar, on Saturday. The programme was organised by the Cox’s Bazar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CBCCI) to strengthen the private sector’s capacity to prepare for disasters and respond effectively to emergencies.
The initiative is being implemented under BPP-2, led by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, with support from the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) is participating as the private sector’s principal partner.
Under the programme, 80 representatives from different business organisations in Cox’s Bazar were trained in two batches as members of Private Sector Emergency Response Teams (PERT).
The training covered disaster preparedness, risk identification and reduction, coordinated emergency response, search and rescue, and first aid. It aimed to improve participants’ knowledge and practical skills so they could contribute more effectively during emergencies.
At Saturday’s event, trained PERT members shared their experiences, the skills they acquired during the training, and plans for future activities. Discussions also focused on strengthening disaster preparedness among local businesses, increasing cooperation during emergencies and improving coordination between public and private sector organisations.
Certificates were distributed among those who completed the training.
Those attending included CBCCI president Abdus Shukkur; former chamber president and chief adviser Abu Morshed Chowdhury; FBCCI Safety Council programme coordinator Manzur Kader Khan; and capacity-building specialist Sakhawat Hossain.
Also present were A R M Shahidul Islam Russell, joint convener of the CBCCI Safety Cell; Azmal Huda, member-secretary and focal person; member Mukim Khan; director M Rezaul Karim; and Cox’s Bazar BPP coordinator Shahidul Islam Rony, among others.
BPP-2 aims to strengthen private sector participation and preparedness in disaster management. Organizers expect the training to improve business representatives’ capacity to respond to emergencies and help build a safer, more disaster-resilient business environment.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
Photo: Collected
