Standing Order:

1. Background and definition:

Background

The Standing Orders have been prepared with the avowed objective of making the concerned persons understand their duties and responsibilities regarding disaster management at all levels, and accomplishing them. All Ministries, Divisions/Departments and Agencies shall prepare their own Action Plans in respect of their responsibilities under the Standing Orders for efficient implementation. The National Disaster Management Council (NDMC) and Inter-Ministerial Disaster Management Coordination Committee (IMDMCC) will ensure coordination of disaster related activities at the National level. Coordination at district, Thana and union levels will be done by the respective District, Thana and Union Disaster Management Committees. The Disaster Management Bureau will render all assistance to them by facilitating the process.

The Ministries, Divisions/Departments and Agencies will organise proper training of their officers and staff employed at District, Thana, Union and village levels according to their own Action plans so that they can help in rescue, evacuation and relief work at different stages of disaster.

The local authority shall arrange preparedness for emergency steps to meet the disaster and to mitigate distress without waiting for government help.

The Standing Orders shall be followed during Normal times, Precautionary and Warning stage, Disaster stage and Post-disaster stage.

Definitions:

(i) Disaster

An event, natural or man-made, sudden or progressive, that seriously disrupts the functioning of a society, causing human, material, or environmental losses of such severity that the affected community has to respond by taking exceptional measures. The disruption (including essential services and means of livelihood) is on a scale that exceeds the ability of the affected society to cope with using only its own resources.

(ii) Disaster Management

Disaster management includes all aspects of planning of and responding to disasters. It refers to the management of both the risks and the consequences of disasters, and includes both:

prevention and preparedness measures taken in disaster-prone areas in anticipation of the known hazards – often referred to as “pre-disaster” and long-term rehabilitation (sometimes referred to as “reconstruction”).

1. Normal Phase (Normal Time)

A period when there is no immediate threat but long-term actions are required in anticipation of the impact, at some unknown time in the future, of known hazards.

(iv) Alert and Warning Phase

The period from the issuing of an alert or public warning of an imminent disaster threat to its actual impact, or the passage of the threat and the lifting of the warning. The period during which pre-impact precautionary, or disaster containment measures are taken.

(v) Disaster Phase

The period during which direct impact of a natural calamity is felt. Disaster phase is long in case of slow on-set disasters (draughts, normal monsoon flood) and short in case of rapid on-set disasters (flash flood, cyclone, earthquake, fire, industrial accident, landslide etc).

(vi) Recovery Phase

The period, following the emergency phase, during which actions are to be taken to enable victims to resume normal lives and means of livelihood, and to restore infrastructure, services and the economy in a manner appropriate to long-term needs and defined development objectives.

Recovery encompasses both rehabilitation and reconstruction, and may include the continuation of certain relief (welfare) measures in favour of particular disadvantaged, vulnerable groups.

1. Policy Formulation and Coordination at National Level:

The following Council/Committee will be responsible for policy formulation and coordination of Disaster Management at national level.

(a) National Disaster Management Council (NDMC)

(b) Inter-Ministerial Disaster Management Coordination Committee (IMDMCC)

3 National Disaster Management Council

(i)	Prime Minister	-	Chairman
(ii)	Minister, Ministry of Water Resources	-	Member
(iii)	Minister, Ministry of Finance	-	”
(iv)	Minister, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives	-	”
(v)	Minister, Ministry of Communications	-	”
(vi)	Minister, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare	-	”
(vii)	Minister, Ministry of Home Affairs	-	”
(viii)	Minister, Ministry of Food	-	”
(ix)	Minister, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief	-	”
(x)	Minister, Ministry of Agriculture	-	”
(xi)	Minister, Ministry of Shipping	-	”
(xii)	Chief of Staff, Army	-	”
(xiii)	Chief of Staff, Navy	-	”
(xiv)	Chief of Staff, Air Force	-	”
(xv)	Cabinet Secretary	-	Member-Secretary
(xvi)	Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister	-	Member
(xvii)	Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture	-	”
(xviii)	Secretary, Ministry of Finance	-	”
(xix)	Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare	-	”
(xx)	Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs	-	”
(xxi)	Secretary, Ministry of Defence	-	”
(xxii)	Secretary, Ministry of Local Government	-	”
(xxiii)	Secretary, Ministry of Roads and Railways	-	”
(xxiv)	Secretary, Ministry of Shipping	-	”
(xxv)	Secretary, Jamuna Bridge Division	-	”
(xxvi)	Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources	-	”
(xxvii)	Secretary, Ministry of Food	-	”
(xxviii)	Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief	-	”
(xxix)	Member, Socio-Economic Infrastructure, Planning Commission	-	”
(xxx)	Principal Staff Officer, Armed Services Division	-	”

The Council will meet at least twice in a year (Vide notification of the Cabinet Division No. MP Commi-1/Committee-2/93-141 dated 13th October 1993).

Responsibilities of National Disaster Management Council

(i) Formulate policy regarding Disaster Management and issue guidelines in this respect.

(ii) Examine the recommendations of the Inter-Ministerial Disaster Management Coordination Committee (IMDMCC) and National Disaster Management Advisory Committee (NDMAC) and issue directives for their implementation.

(iii) Approve the Standing Orders on Disasters and National Disaster Management plans.

(iv) Ensure coordination amongst civil administration, Defence Forces and the NGOs in the planning process of disaster management.

(v) Arrange framing of law for prevention, mitigation, preparedness and disaster response.

(vi) Take necessary steps after evaluating the precautionary/preparedness measures immediately with the warning signals regarding imminent disaster.

(vii) Frame guidelines for distribution of relief materials and assign priority of steps during pre-disaster, disaster and post-disaster periods.

(viii) Consider other related issues and dispose of them.

4 Inter-Ministerial Disaster Management Coordination Committee

(i)	Minister, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief	-	Chairman
(ii)	Cabinet Secretary	-	Vice-Chairman
(iii)	Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister	-	Member
(iv)	Member (Planning), Planning Commission	-	”
(v)	Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs	-	”
(vi)	Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture	-	”
(vii)	Secretary, Ministry of Defence	-	”
(viii)	Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources	-	”
(ix)	Secretary, Ministry of Education	-	”
(x)	Secretary, Ministry of Information	-	”
(xi)	Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Public Works	-	”
(xii)	Secretary, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources	-	”
(xiii)	Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism	-	”
(xiv)	Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock	-	”
(xv)	Secretary, Ministry of Posts and Telecommunication	-	”
(xvi)	Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests	-	”
(xvii)	Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief	-	”
(xviii)	Secretary, Finance Division, Ministry of Finance	-	”
(xix)	Secretary, Local Government Division	-	”
(xx)	Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs	-	”
(xxi)	Secretary, Roads and Railways Division	-	”
(xxii)	Secretary, Jamuna Bridge Division	-	”
(xxiii)	Secretary, Ministry of Shipping	-	”
(xxiv)	Secretary, Ministry of Food	-	”
(xxv)	Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare	-	”
(xxvi)	Principal Staff Officer, Armed Forces Division	-	”
(xxvii)	Director General, NGO Affairs Bureau	-	”
(xxviii)	Director General, Disaster Management Bureau	-	”
(xxix)	Director General, Relief and Rehabilitation	-	”
(xxx)	Secretary General, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society	-	”

The following officers shall attend the meetings on invitation: Director, Department of Meteorology, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, Chairman, Water Development Board, Chief Engineer, Roads and Highways Department, Chairman, T&T Board, Director General, Department of Health, Chief Engineer, Public Health-Department, Director-General, Department of Food, Chairman, BIWTC, Chairman, Bangladesh Railway; Director, Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP); Director, ADAB; President, Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industries; UN Resident Coordinator; Representatives of the UN Organizations; Chief Engineer, Public Works and Local Govt. Engineering Department and any other Expert.

Responsibilities of Inter-Ministerial Disaster Management Coordination Committee

1. (a)Implement the policy and decisions of the National Disaster Management Council. To monitor the disaster related plans for prevention/mitigation, preparedness, emergency assistance (Disaster Relief), and rehabilitation and to keep the Council informed of the progress.

(b) Coordinate the activities of the government agencies concerned with disaster management and evaluate the activities of the Disaster Management Bureau.

(d) Take steps for coordination of relief operations in post-disaster recovery period, and

(e) Advise and issue guidelines for other related issues.

Responsibilities regarding Disaster Prevention/Mitigation

(a) Recommend to the National Disaster Management Council regarding the prioritization and inclusion of disaster prevention/mitigation projects in the National Development Plan.

(b) Determine the method of Disaster Impact Assessment (DIA) of large projects regarding their longevity against increasing disaster or damage during disaster.

(c) Coordinate preparation and implementation of disaster prevention/mitigation projects and to recommend framing of policy, fixing priorities and distributing assets in this respect.

(d) Arrange for increasing efficiency at all levels of disaster management activities.

(e) Monitor the disaster risks and their mitigation according to priorities in the national policy and their implementation and to keep the National Disaster Management Council informed of their progress.

Responsibilities regarding Disaster Preparedness

(a) Scrutinize the disaster forecasts and warning procedure and coordinate among the different agencies.

(b) Review the action plan of all disaster related agencies.

(d) Review the Warning System at local level.

(e) Coordinate among different agencies responsible for educating people concerning their duties during disasters.

(f) Ensure coordination among government agencies and NGOs responsible for imparting training on disaster management.

(g) Ensure rapid supply of additional equipment/materials to places where telecommunication has been disrupted on account of disaster.

(h) Ensure quick assessment of damage due to disaster and the quality of reconstruction work.

Responsibilities to meet emergency situation

Alert/Warning Stage

(a) Ensure that warning signals reach all concerned officials, agencies and mass media.

Disaster Stage

(a) Depute additional manpower to disaster affected areas in aid of administration.

(b) Send members of the Defence Services with assigned duties for communications and essential services.

5 National Disaster Management Advisory Committee

Chairman: A person experienced in disaster management/specialist in this field nominated by the Prime Minister.

Members: Members of Parliament (8) elected from disaster prone areas; Experienced persons from Government agencies, University, NGOs, donor organizations and other agencies in the field of water resources, meteorology, seismographic engineering, physical infrastructure planning, social anthropology, education, disaster management (total 30 members); Chairman, Red Crescent Society; President, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries; President, Institute of Engineers, Chairman, Insurance Company Association, Chairman, Krishi Bank; Chairman Grameen Bank; Director General, Department of Relief and Rehabilitation and Local Representative for Armed Forces Division.

Member-Secretary: Director General, Disaster Management Bureau

Meeting: Twice a Year, the Chairman may call additional meetings, if needed.

Sub-Committee: Sub committees may be formed for cyclone warning, flood forecasts, earthquake risks, participation by the people. Experts may be coopted in the respective sub committees after formation and selection of the Chairman.

General Responsibilities:

(a) Advise National Disaster Management Council, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief and the Disaster Management Bureau on technical management and socio-economic aspects of Disaster Prevention/Mitigation, preparedness, emergency response and development (rehabilitation and reconstruction matters).

(b) Alert the Committee members about the risk of disaster and mitigation possibilities and encourage them in respect of workshop, training and research.

(c) Create a forum for discussion by experts on the risk of disaster, opening opportunities for cooperation towards solution of problems relating to disaster management.

(d) Recommend release of funds for special project works and also for introduction of special emergency methods or empowerment, if needed.

(e) Recommend solution of problems identified by the Disaster Management Bureau or any other agency/person.

(f) Propose long term rehabilitation plans.

(g) Hold post-mortem or prepare final evaluation on programmes undertaken to meet the disaster and submit a report with recommendations to the National Disaster Management Council.

6 Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief

The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MDMR) is the focal point of the Government for disaster related issues. The Disaster Management Bureau (DMB) will assist the Ministry with all necessary information during normal time, alert and warning stage, disaster stage and post- disaster recovery stage. The Ministry will supply information to National Disaster Management Council and Inter-Ministerial Disaster Coordination Committee and assist them in taking decisions. The Secretary of the Ministry will control the activities of all officials engaged either directly or indirectly for emergency relief work.

Subject to the approval of the Minister, the Secretary will take decisions on the following matters

(a) Relax any Standing Regulation (Standing Order?) on relief distribution in the public interest.

Normal Times

(a) Review the own Action Plan of the Ministry on disaster management every 3 (three) months.

(b) Identify the disaster prone Thanas and special disaster prone areas under such Thana and the population likely to be affected by the disaster.

(c) Update the list of foreign and private agencies willing to participate in the disaster preparedness, emergency response and rehabilitation programmes.

(d) Preserve information regarding food, relief materials and transports usable at all levels during disaster.

(e) Direct all concerned for ensuring availability of Standing Orders at village, Union, Thana and District levels.

(f) Arrange meetings of the National Disaster Management Council and Inter-Ministerial Disaster Management Coordination Committee to assess the disaster preparedness of different Ministries, agencies, departments, local governments, autonomous bodies, CPP, Red Crescent, NGOs, etc.

(g) Ensure non-stop telecom link of the Ministry with District and Thana Headquarters.

(h) Issue necessary orders for proper coordination of steps relating to disaster and response.

Alert and Warning Stage

(a) Issue orders, for dispatch of relief materials to required places and to keep the transports ready.

(b) To select a Focal Point in the Ministry and to inform all concerned about his designation and telephone number.

(c) To direct the Disaster Management Bureau to open Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) of its own, open Control Room at all levels related to disaster activities and also to reactivate the EOC located at MDMR

(d) Ensure direct communication with Meteorological Department and issue orders for collection of inputs (warning message and signal) from the department.

(e) Ensure publicity of warning signals through Radio, Television, Telegram, Fax, teleprinter etc and also inform Ministries, agencies, departments, CPP, BDRCS, NGOs, Deputy Commissioners and other concerned agencies and officials.

(f) Keep the EOC open day and night.

(g) Call a meeting of the CPP Implementation Board and inform the decisions to all concerned.

(h) Inform the Chairman of the National Disaster Management Council, the Prime Minister and the Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Disaster Management Coordination Committee about the disaster situations and the steps taken to meet them.

(i) Ensure convening of meetings of the concerned District, Thana and Union Disaster Management Committees (DMCs).

(j) Request the Armed Forces Division to keep a helicopter and transport plane ready for reconnaissance of loss and damages and for relief operations.

(k) Request the Armed Forces Division and the Inland Water Transport Corporation to keep water vessels ready for rescue and relief operations.

(l) Issue directives to evacuate to safer places for saving life and property.

(m) Request the Army through Armed Forces Division to be on readiness for speedy mobilisation to the affected areas.

(n) Inform all concerned, specially the Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Thana Nirbahi Officers, Union Parishad Chairmen and other concerned agencies about great danger signals and the arrangement to be made in this respect.

(o) Instruct district and Thana authorities to requisition required transports for rescue and relief work.

(p) Arrange for convening of the meetings of the National Disaster Management Council and the Inter-ministerial Disaster Management Coordination Committee.

(q) In consultation with the Meteorological Department, issue instructions to local administration for evaluation of the people likely to be affected to safer places.

(r) Ensure issuance of Warning Signals repeatedly through the Bangladesh Betar (Radio) and the Bangladesh Television.

(s) Ensure non-stop communication with district Control Room, CPP and Meteorological Department.

(t) Arrange in advance necessary relief materials for the disaster prone areas.

(u) Designate one Liaison Officer to the Prime Minister’s ‘co-ordination cell’ at the Prime Ministers office.

Disaster Stage

(a) Request the Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force to keep vessels and air planes ready for assessment of loss and damage and rescue operations as soon as weather becomes favourable.

(b) Request the Civil authorities to assist the Armed Forces Division in respect of relief and rescue operations on the basis of need.

(d) Arrange meetings of the National Disaster Management Council and the Inter-ministerial Disaster Management Coordination Committee.

(e) Collect information of loss and damage.

(f) Fix additional requirement of funds and materials for relief and rehabilitation work.

1. (g) Collect quickly funds and relief materials for gratuitous relief.

Rehabilitation Stage

(a) Arrange for housing building grant, test relief and Food for Works programmes.

(b) Continue emergency rehabilitation work in affected areas until return of normalcy.

6.1 Disaster Management Bureau

The Disaster Management Bureau was created under the Ministry of Disaster Management in 1992. Its responsibilities are noted below:

General Responsibilities

(a) Advise the government on all matters relating to disaster management.

(b) Maintain liaison with different government agencies, aid-giving agencies, NGOs and Voluntary Organizations and ensure their maximum cooperation and coordination in all matters of disaster management.

Normal Times

(a) Undertake various activities for creating awareness among the people, government employees and people of other professions for reducing risks during disaster.

(b) Provide secretarial support to the National Advisory Committee on Disasters.

(c) Prepare guidelines for mitigation of disaster with the assistance of Planning Commission and other agencies for devising steps to reduce disaster risk.

(d) Arrange publication and distribution of Standing Orders on Disasters, National Disaster Management Plan and other related guidelines.

(e) Propose legislation on Disaster, Preparedness and Mitigation and other instructions.

(f) Assist in the preparation and implementation of framework for Action Plan on disaster management at District, Thana and Union levels.

(g) Impart training to the government employees, elected representatives and others on disaster management in cooperation with different Ministries, Local authorities, Training Institutions and NGOs.

(h) Establish an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) with improved communication facilities at national level and to disseminate inputs/information to government and private agencies.

(i) Supply books, maps and other information to those associated with disaster management.

1. (j) Monitor obstacles to the Action Plan or project implementation for probable disaster risks to lives and properties, preparedness, disaster response and mitigation and inform the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.

(k) Collect and preserve lists with location, condition and ownership of Cyclone shelters, embankments, platforms at higher than flood level (flood proofing)

(l) Coordinate the activities of NGOs.

(m) Educate all about weather signals.

(n) Arrange public awareness programmes at regular intervals in radio and television on various disaster related issues.

(o) Organize meetings/seminars/workshops at national, District, Thana and Union levels to increase awareness about disasters.

(p) Ensure liaison with the Ministry of Education for inclusion of disaster topics in the curricula of schools and colleges.

(q) Publicise cyclone signals in the villages through posters, cultural functions, documentary films etc.

(r) Arrange research on disaster management issues.

Alert and Warning stage:

(a) Ensure receipt of warning signals of imminent disasters by all concerned officials, agencies and mass communication media.

(b) Assist the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief for undertaking emergency programmes in risk areas by different agencies and the people in the structured areas.

(c) Activate the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and keep touch with other agencies for making their Action Plan effective and also to activate the Control Room.

(d) Publish daily bulletins during disaster period for foreign embassies and UN Missions.

(e) Instruct local authorities for assessment of loss and damage and requirement of relief.

Disaster Stage

(a) Keep Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) open on non-stop basis (24 hours).

(b) Assist the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief for formation of groups for primary assessment of loss and damage.

(c) Assist the Inter-Ministerial Disaster Management Coordination Committee (IMDMCC) for ensuring coordination among government, NGOs and different agencies for relief and rehabilitation activities.

(d) Monitor progress of rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations, identify the problems and needs and to draw the attention of the proper authority.

(e) Assist the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief for supply of required information to the Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Information, Foreign agencies, NGOs etc.

(f) Supply information to foreign missions and UN agencies regularly through daily news bulletins.

(g) Keep the Ministry informed about the progress of use of materials in relief operations.

Rehabilitation Stage

(a) Supply information/input to concerned authority for the preparation of rehabilitation plan.

(b) Ensure adoption of steps for minimising future disaster risks in the rehabilitation plans.

(c) Undertake post-mortem of steps taken in the overall management in the emergency response of disaster and to prepare reports on the basis of experience/knowledge acquired in this respect and publish the same and to bring required changes accordingly in the training programmes and future policy.

6.2 Directorate of Relief and Rehabilitation

This Directorate will perform the following tasks in addition to its normal duties.

Normal Times

(a) Ensure stock, security and maintenance of adequate materials in disaster-prone areas.

(b) Utilize the materials received under the Food for Works Programme for construction of roads to raised places and shelter places and for tree plantation.

Alert and Warning Stage

(a) Open Control Room in the Department and maintain link with the EOC of the Ministry.

(b) Direct all officials to remain alert.

(d) Send Daily Situation Report to the Ministry

(e) Keep information about the available quantity of relief materials and foodgrains in the LSD and CSD of the affected areas.

Disaster Stage

(a) Ensure quick dispatch of relief materials to affected areas.

(b) Instruct field officers for helping the local administration in evacuation and rescue operations.

(c) Place the water transports at the disposal of appropriate authority for transportation of relief materials and evacuation and rescue operations of affected people.

(d) Inform the Ministry about the requirement of relief materials.

(e) Inform the Ministry instantaneously about special relief.

(f) Ensure proper account-keeping of the use of allotted relief materials.

Rehabilitation Stage

(a) Recommend allocation of relief materials after assessing the requirement by touring the affected areas with intimation to the Ministry.

(b) Ensure quick supply of house building grants, gratuitous relief and other materials in accordance with the delegation of powers.

(c) Recommend to the Ministry for allocation of (needed) house building grant, test relief, gratuitous relief and other materials beyond delegation of power.

(d) Issue required government order.

(e) Continue the most essential rehabilitation work.

1. (f) Submit the consolidated expenditure accounts to the government.

6.2.1 Duties of Relief and Rehabilitation Officers at District and Thana

Level

The District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO) and the Project Implementation Officer (PIO) will perform the following functions in their respective areas under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Thana Nirbahi Officer (TNO).

Normal Times

(a) Preserve materials and implements of relief.

(b) Ensure fitness of relief materials.

Alert and Warning Stage

(a) Arrange opening of control room in the office of Deputy Commissioner and Thana Nirbahi Officer.

(b) Keep the Deputy Commissioner and Thana Nirbahi Officer informed of the condition of the areas likely to be affected by disaster.

(c) Submit proposal to Relief and Rehabilitation Department for strengthening the stock of relief materials and to transfer the materials of the store houses likely to be affected to safer places with the approval of the Deputy Commissioner.

(d) Assist coordination of activities among the Voluntary and other agencies at the District and Thana levels.

(e) Keep vigilance on the security of water transports engaged in relief work.

(f) Inspect the identified relief centers and send reports to Disaster Management Bureau and Relief Department.

Disaster Stage

(a) Finalize arrangement for sending the relief materials to destinations.

(b) Help with the rescue operations.

(c) Make the primary assessment of loss of lives and properties and send report to Thana Nirbahi Officer and Deputy Commissioner.

(d) Arrange distributing of relief materials according to approval and supervise and monitor the distribution by the Union authority.

Rehabilitation Stage

(a) Send a detailed report of loss and damage to the Deputy Commissioner, Relief and Rehabilitation Department and Disaster Management Bureau.

(b) Arrange quick disbursement of house building grant, gratuitous fund and other relief materials to the affected people.

(d) Keep the evaluation accounts of relief activities ready for audit.

(e) Arrange employment of disaster affected people through test relief.

7 Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP)

7.1 Cyclone Preparedness Programme (Central Office, Dhaka)

Normal Times

(a) Organize preparedness programmes in disaster prone areas on continuing basis and in order to assess the state of preparedness, hold drills in the months of April and September every year.

(b) Ensure recruitment and training of volunteers before the month of April every year.

(d) Ensure establishment of Union and Thana Officers and holding of meetings at Union and Thana level.

(e) Ensure issue of warning signal kits to the leaders of volunteers and use by them.

(f) Ensure wireless communication between CPP Headquarters and Thana Office and between Thana Office and Union Office.

(g) Instruct local level Disaster Management Committees for selection of shelters, and high rise safe places and inform people about evacuation plans.

(h) Make public awareness about cyclone signals and with the help of Disaster Management Bureau (DMB) popularize preparedness plans, through discussion meetings, posters, pamphlets, films and drama etc.

(i) Operate Fax machines for ensuring non-stop communication with meteorological department.

Alert Stage

(a) Establish Control Room at CPP headquarters and in regional offices and assist District, Thana and Union authorities in the establishment of Control Rooms.

(b) Maintain close liaison with Meteorological Department.

(c) Receive special weather bulletins from Meteorological Office and send them to Thana and regional offices and to instruct the Thana offices to send them to Union offices as quickly as possible.

(d) Instruct the volunteers to listen to normal radio news/CPP radio news. To communicate with Union group leaders through radio or via liaison volunteers and to advise Union leaders and their colleagues to instruct the volunteers for starting work according to guidelines of cyclone instructions booklet published by CPP.

(e) Keep the CPP Implementation Board Chairman and the Members informed about the cyclone.

(f) Alert the Deputy Commissioners, Thana Executive Officers, Union Parishad Chairman and Members and local non-govt. organisations.

Warning Stage

(a) Propose calling of emergency meeting of the Implementation Board.

(b) Verify whether the volunteers of the cyclone preparedness programmes have started work at field level.

(c) Advise people about evacuation under proper protection of animals, poultry and other domestic animals to raised land and Killas.

(d) Instruct CPP Development Officer for advising Chairman of the Thana Disaster Management Committee to call meeting.

(e) Instruct Development Officer for calling a meeting of Union Disaster Management Committee.

(f) Implement the decisions taken in the emergency meeting of the implementation Board.

(g) Instruct Development Officer for cooperation in the implementation of the decisions of the Thana and Union Disaster Management Committees.

(h) Send the special weather bulletins through wireless to Regional, Thana and Union Offices.

(i) Ensure that the people are properly warned (about the disaster) through the Development Officer and volunteers.

(j) Keep the Chairman, Implementation Board; Director General, Disaster Management Bureau; Relief and Rehabilitation Department and Bangladesh Red Crescent Society informed at regular intervals about the local situation.

Disaster Stage

(a) Coordinate its own activities with those of all concerned agencies and non-govt. agencies.

(b) Ensure rescue operations and first aid by Development Officers and volunteers in times of need.

(c) Instruct Development Officer to maintain wireless communication and to keep touch with the Headquarters at regular intervals and to transmit loss and damage report as soon as it is received.

(d) Instruct the Union Group leaders to maintain wireless communication and to keep touch with the Development Officer frequently and to instruct the Development Officer to send the reports of loss and damage received from fields to Regional/Central Office.

Rehabilitation Stage

(a) Instruct every Union leader to send a primary report of loss and damage in their respective areas to the Development Officer.

(b) Instruct the field office to carry out the following tasks:

1. (c) To assist in the programmes of vaccination, prevention medicines and other health measures.

(i) To participate in the rehabilitation programmes.

(ii) To assist in coordinating the activities of Non-Govt. organizations (NGOs)

7.2 Field Level CPP

Normal Times

(a) Organize simulated drills continuously in disaster prone areas and monitor the status of preparedness drill participated by the people in April and September every year.

(b) Select volunteers and complete their training according to rules of the CPP before April, and organize grouping of families of evacuation in times of need.

(c) Make physical verification of equipment to facilitate allotted to the leader of volunteers and their condition and undertake their repairs/replacement, if needed.

(d) Examine the wireless system and keep it running in order to maintain communication between CPP Headquarters, Thana and Union level offices.

(e) Educate and create awareness amongst the local people about the cyclone preparedness programme and the understanding of different warning signals.

(f) Earmark shelter places, Killas and safe raised land and to keep them fit for use and to publicise the people about the evacuation plan.

(g) Make the people and the volunteers aware of the dangers of resistance to disaster preparedness activities, in coordination with Thana and Union Parishad administration.

Alert Stage

1. (a) Set up Control Room and maintain contact with Thana, Union offices and CPP Headquarters

(b) Maintain close link with the Meteorological Department and other offices and collect information about cyclone.

(d) Alert the chairman of District/Thana/Union Disaster Management Committees, members, religious leaders, local elites, teachers and persons connected with different organizations.

(e) Advise the CPP volunteers to listening to radio broadcasts in order to ensure that work of the volunteers specified in the booklet published by CPP by the union group leaders and their colleagues is started.

Warning Stage

(a) Request Deputy Commissioner/Thana Nirbahi Officer/Union Parishad Chairman to call emergency meeting of the respective Disaster Management Committee.

(b) Assist in the implementation of the decisions taken in the emergency meeting.

(c) Depute CPP volunteers for shifting the livestock, poultry and other domestic animals to raised land, Killas under proper safety measures.

(d) Instruct every field office to inform all offices under its control about the special weather bulletins.

(e) Warn the people about the disaster.

(f) Advise the people to go to shelter place in the event of evacuation order and to assist them in the process.

(g) Give the final warning to the people by using megaphone, light signals and flash lights.

(h) Keep Thana and District administration, CPP Central Headquarters and Disaster Management Bureau and others concerned informed about the field level disaster situation report.

(i) Assist other agencies and non-government organizations in the implementation of their programmes.

Disaster Stage

(a) Keep wireless in operation and to maintain communication with CPP Central Office and to send the loss and damage statement to concerned authority as soon as it is received.

(b) Conduct rescue work in coordination with Union and Thana authority and provide first aid according to need.

Rehabilitation Stage

(a) Collect data on loss and damage due to cyclone, prepare report and send it to CPP Headquarters, Union Disaster Management Committee, Thana and District administration.

(b) Assist local administration in burying the dead bodies and dumping the carcasses under the earth.

(d) Participate in the rehabilitation programme with Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and other agencies.

8 Ministry of Water Resources

Ministry of Water Resources will designate one officer as the focal point and ensure implementation of the responsibilities assigned to Bangladesh Water Development Board as mentioned below.

The Ministry will participate in the meeting of National Disaster Management Council and Inter-Ministerial Disaster Management Coordination Committee and direct Bangladesh

Water Development Board to implement the decisions taken in the meetings.

8.1 Bangladesh Water Development Board (Actions relating to Cyclone)

Normal Times

As a part of its normal functions, Bangladesh Water Development Board will perform the following duties:

(a) The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) of Bangladesh Water Development Board will act as Focal Point and the Deputy Director in Charge of the Centre will act as Liaison Officer.

(b) Construct embankment in disaster prone coasts and islands according to designs approved by the government.

(d) Monitor continuously the condition of the embankment and repair the breaches and weak points in adequate manner.

(e) Operate the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center from April up to November.

(f) Open warning sub-centers at field level offices of Superintendent Engineer/Executive Engineer.

(g) Collect special weather bulletins regularly from the Meteorological Office.

Cautionary/Warning Stage

(a) Issue directives and warnings to field level officials through sub-center.

2. (b) Designate one Liaison Officer for maintaining liaison with Disaster Management Bureau.

(c) Make continuous arrangement for ascertaining the leakage, breach, collapse, damage etc in the embankment. Undertake repair work on top priority basis with the participation of local people.

(d) Keep ready required equipment/materials for use in the affected areas.

(e) Extend assistance to local civil administration in rescue, evacuation and relief operations and instruct lower level officers to make technical knowledge, equipment articles and transports etc available.

Disaster Stage

(a) Operate the Control Room day and night (24 hours), warn all concerned about the imminent disaster and alert all to take security steps for the safety of lives, assets, machineries, transports, materials etc.

(b) Identify the technical manpower and materials required for the emergency repairs of loss/damage to installations and supply lines.

(c) Request the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief regarding all appropriate assistance requirements for emergency rehabilitation.

(d) Undertake actions in the exigency of circumstances to safeguard human lives, property and evacuation.

Rehabilitation Stage

(a) Determine the extent of loss/damage in details and, if possible, prepare rehabilitation plans with estimates of expenditures by providing funds from own department or with additional funds from other sources.

(b) Implement suitable projects for the stability of newly formed offshore islands.

8.2 Field Offices of Chief Engineer/Superintending Engineer/Executive Engineer/ Assistant Engineer (Cyclone related) of the Bangladesh Water Development Board.

The officials and staff of Bangladesh Water Development Board shall perform the following duties in their respective areas.

Normal Times

(a) The Chief Engineer or Superintending Engineer will identify the Disaster Focal Points in their respective offices and inform the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC).

(b) Arrange to collect special weather bulletins/news and inform all concerned at field level and direct for security steps in embankments and other installations.

(d) The Chief Engineer at field level will appoint Liaison Officer for communicating with the local Disaster Management Committee.

(e) Coordinate and cooperate with civil administration for rescue, evacuation and relief operations and make available implements, materials, transports and technical assistance to them.

(f) Repair leakage, breaches, holes, weak points in the embankment in their own area and also repair the broken sluice gates. Also keep ready the materials at suitable place for repair purpose.

(g) Appoint guards for protecting the polders against entry of saline water during tidal bore whipped up by cyclonic storm and also to protect damage to sluice gates.

(h) Construct protecting embankments in time and maintaining satisfactory standard after receiving approval of the authority.

(i) Submit reports at regular intervals to higher authority stating the condition of sluice gate, embankment and other works and progress of repair and reconstruction.

Alert and Warning Stage

(a) Take precautionary steps for protection of the lives of the employees of Water Development Board and secure Board assets, machinery, transports etc.

(b) Maintain link with the local Disaster Management Committee and coordinate activities with other agencies.

Disaster Stage

(a) Ensure non-stop operation of information centre day and night (24 hrs.) and send liaison officer to the local Disaster Management Committee.

(b) Inform the information centre of Bangladesh Water Development Board and Control Room of the local administration about any disaster.

(d) Repair any damage, unserviceable installations and supply source by organising technical persons and materials.

(e) Assess damage/loss and initiate action plan for repair, reconstruction and reinstallation as soon as possible after the recession of water in accordance with the short term and perspective plan of the government.

(f) Take preventive action on emergency basis through tours in the affected area.

(g) Request the local civil administration or Disaster Management Committee in case of any difficulty or any exceptional circumstances, the solution of which is beyond the control of own office.

(h) On exigencies, take any suitable action for the protection of lives and property and evacuation in coordination with the civil administration and Disaster Management Committee.

Rehabilitation Stage

(a) After assessing the loss/damage, prepare plan and designs, as quickly possible for repair, reinstallation and reconstruction of physical infrastructure, embankments, sluice gates at required places.

(b) Assist and cooperate with the civil administration in relief activities as far as possible.

(c) Identify places for the construction of embankments as protective measure against future disasters like tidal bore or floods, prepare plans and request for approval and sanction of funds from the concerned authorities.

8.3 Water Development Board (Flood Related Activities)

In addition to normal functions and Contingency Action Plan on floods, the Water Development Board will also perform the following duties:

Normal Times

(a) Ensure efficient management of Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre and improve procedure for flood forecasts and after necessary revisions inform the appropriate authority.

(b) Operate “Flood Information Centre” from April to November every year.

(d) Collect, during monsoon period, weather forecasts, water level of all principal rivers originating from different places in Bangladesh and India. The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) will request the Ministry of Water Resources regarding the receipt of information from India.

(e) Inform all concerned regularly about daily weather news and issue regular press bulletins.

(f) Alert Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief and concerned Deputy Commissioners.

(g) Inform all concerned about weekly flood situation reports.

(h) Instruct all subordinate offices in April every year about the following:

(i) Coordination with local administration

(ii) Supply of required implements, materials, transports, articles and technical know how.

(i) Inform Disaster Management Bureau and Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief about operation of Information Cell of the Board.

(j) Ensure Coordination with Inter-Ministerial Disaster Management Coordination Committee (IMDMCC), Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief and Disaster Management Bureau.

(k) Designate one Liaison Officer in Board Office to maintain link with the EOC of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. Deputy Director of Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre will be in charge of this responsibility.

(l) Keep budget provision for special repair of embankments, sluice gates and lock gates in disaster prone areas.

Alert and Warning Stage

(a) Since flash floods visit within shortest possible time, so take steps to alert all through telephone, telex and wireless according to needs.

(b) Appoint guards to locate leakage, breach, holes in embankments and also alert warning centres. Take steps for repairing work on emergency basis by month of April through employment of local people. For this purpose, materials and implements are to be stored at suitable place.

Disaster Stage

(a) Operate information cell and Flood Control Centre day and night and send a Liaison Officer to the EOC of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.

(b) Inform Inter-Ministerial Disaster Management Coordination Committee and the EOC of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief about brewing up of any special situation.

(c) Ensure gathering of all technical people and raw materials for the repair of damage to installations and supply source.

(d) Give all support and assistance to local civil administration for rescue, evacuation and relief operations through field level administrative machinery.

(e) Issue the following orders as per delegation of powers, to field level officials of Chief Engineer/Superintending Engineer/Executive Engineer/Assistant Engineer of Water Development Board:

(i) To perform duties as member of Disaster Management Committee of their own area.

(ii) To gather all technical people and materials for repair work of damage caused to installations and supply sources.

(iii) To make plan and programme for repairing, reconstruction and reinstallation according to short and long term planning of the government within shortest possible time after assessment of loss/damage and recession of water.

(f) Appoint supervisors for frequent visit to affected areas.

(g) In case of any difficulty in flood disasters or if any matter not possible to solve or if help of the Inter-Ministerial Disaster Management Coordination Committee/National Disaster Management Council is needed, request for intervention by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.

(h) Take any suitable step in the exigency of circumstances for protection of life and properties.

(i) Send daily flood reports to following offices:

(1) President’s Office

(2) Prime Minister’s Office

(3) Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief

(4) Ministry of Home Affairs

(5) Ministry of Information

(6) Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture

(7) Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources

(8) Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries and Live Stock

(9) Secretary, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources

(10) Secretary, Ministry of Education

(11) Secretary, Roads and Highways Division

(12) Secretary, Railways Division

(13) Secretary, Ministry of Water Transport

(14) Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

(15) Secretary, Ministry of Industries

1. (16) Secretary, Ministry Local Government, Rural Development and

Cooperatives.

(17) Secretary, Ministry of Social Welfare

(18) Secretary, Ministry of Defence

(19) Disaster Management Bureau

(20) Department of Relief and Rehabilitation

(21) Director-General, Radio/Television

(22) Concerned Chief Engineers

(23) Concerned Deputy Commissioners

Rehabilitation Stage

(a) Quickly assess the loss and damage and prepare required plans for repair and reconstruction work on priority basis.

(b) Ensure the restoration of infrastructure, logistics and installations in shortest possible time for domestic, industrial and export use projects. Projects connected with agriculture, fisheries and industrial rehabilitation will be given top priority.

(d) Prepare new plans and designs for the control, reduction of loss/damage and prevention of recurrence of floods.

(e) Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the current operations with a view to providing guidelines for future planning.

8.4 Field Level Offices of Chief Engineer/Superintending Engineer/Executive Engineer/Assistant Engineer (Flood disaster related activities) of Water Development Board.

In addition to their normal functions, these offices will perform the following duties in the light of delegation of powers in their respective spheres:

Normal Times

1. (a) Ensure the following:

1. (i) Manage the Flood Information Centre from April up to November every year.

(ii) Arrange to collect information on rainfall and water level at different points of rivers originated in India.

(iii) Submit flood forecast, through respective Head of Office, to Flood Control Room of Water Development Board and the Control Room of the Ministry of Water Resources.

(b) Inform and alert Water Development Board, Ministry of Water Resources, EOC of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, Deputy Commissioner and Thana Nirbahi Officer about the increase of flood level and flash floods.

(d) Attend meeting of the local Disaster Management Committee.

(e) Ensure support and assistance to local administration regarding rescue, shifting and relief operations with required mechanical implements, transports and materials and tactical support.

(f) Designate one Liaison Officer for keeping the link with local Disaster Control Room.

(g) Alert all concerned speedily by telephone, fax, wireless etc. as flash floods allow very little time.

(h) Complete repair of leakage, holes etc in the embankments of respective areas before April every year and keep the materials/implements for emergency work ready at convenient place and complete the on-going projects like construction of embankments and gates. The board will identify earmark funds and responsibilities for these works.

Alert and Warning Stage

(a) Arrange for guards for sluice and lock gates to avoid loss

(b) Send reports to higher officials about conditions of sluice gates, embankments and installations and progress of their repair