The Center for Excellence-Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (CFE-DM) has appreciated Bangladesh’s efforts in significantly improving its disaster preparedness terming Bangladesh a ‘regional example of courageous progress’, reports UNB. “Despite the vulnerability of Bangladesh to cyclones and other natural disasters, the country has made a significant progress in improving its disaster preparedness,” said Director of the Center Col Joseph D. Martin.
He said Bangladesh stands as a ‘regional example of the courageous progress’ that can be made by a nation and ‘time-tested’ civil-military relationships stand ready to support the government if they need assistance. Martin, in his recent article titled ‘Civil-military coordination in disaster response benefits all,’ mentioned this describing how Bangladesh remains a model for many other reasons. The CFE-DM is a US Department of Defense organization that was established by US Congress in 1994.
Last year, according to Martin, the Asia Pacific region continued to be the most disaster-prone region in the world.  Severe flooding affected India, Indonesia, and Japan, while the Nepal earthquake devastated Kathmandu. “What these disasters continue to teach us is that international partnerships and civil-military cooperation are more important than ever.” After Cyclone Marian swept Bangladesh in 1991, the United States proudly assisted the Bangladeshi government-led response effort, he said.
With the aid of Bangladeshi military and civilian agencies, non-government organisations, and military forces from the United States and other partner nations, relief supplies reached the most vulnerable populations in a timely and efficient manner.
Additionally, organisations like the US Agency for International Development, Feed the Children, Unicef, and countless others remained in Bangladesh to aid recovery long after the military departed. Sharing past collaboration, Martin said, “It’s with these ever-present disasters in mind that my staff and I strive to maintain our strong partnership with the civil-military community in Bangladesh.” He said close coordination between civilian and military communities is essential for numerous reasons. “As we move into an uncertain future of stronger and more frequent disasters, civil-military coordination prior to a disaster has become ever more critical.  It saves lives before, during, and after a disaster becomes a reality,” Martin said.