The government has taken initiative to develop Kalarmarchhara union of Maheshkhali upazila of Cox's Bazar as a 'disaster tolerant model union'. The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief will implement it. On March 2, the ministry issued a notification approving the formation of a "disaster tolerant model union". After that the district administration has started the preliminary work.
According to the concerned, within three months, the work of forming a 'disaster tolerant model union' comprising of all government departments will start. The government wants to give a gift to the people in its full form within the next one year. If it is implemented, about 90,000 people will benefit.
According to the office of the District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer, the Ministry of Relief and Disaster Management has taken a pilot project for the first time by identifying flood and cyclone prone areas across the country. For this, five unions across the country have been nominated to be formed as 'Disaster Tolerant Model Unions'. Maheshkhali's Kalarmarchhara is in the first position.
In this context, the Director General of Disaster Management, Atiqul Islam, on 14 February, mentioned 14 specific views and recommended to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief to form a 'Disaster Resistant Model Union'. Then on March 2, Deputy Secretary (Planning-1 Branch) of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief Mohammad Obaidul Islam issued a notification.
The circular stated, ‘Approval was given in principle to start work on creating a Disaster Resilience Model Union. Besides, the policy approval for organizing a workshop was also communicated.
"This is the first pilot project under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief," said Nishchinto Kumar Poddar, director (planning and development) of the disaster management department. For this, five unions including Kalarmarchhara have been nominated. Development activities will be implemented in a coordinated manner based on the needs of all government departments. The full amount will be paid by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.
Kalamarchhara Union Parishad Chairman Tareq bin Osman Sharif said, "As per the instructions of the ministry, a workshop was held on March 21 at the Disaster Management Department. He instructed the concerned to start work immediately after taking feedback on the overall issues in the meeting. I have been instructed to organize a meeting for this. The Minister of State for Disaster Management and Relief and the Director General of Disaster Management have agreed to attend the meeting. Hopefully it will be implemented soon. '
Maheshkhali Upazila Project Implementation Officer Rashedul Islam said, "The ministry plans to make an official announcement soon. I hope the people of Maheshkhali will get good news soon. '
Cox's Bazar District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer. Jahangir Alam said, "We have already started the work of the initial stage. I will be holding a meeting soon with the participation of all the people of the union. At the meeting, the local people will say what their risks are. We will take action in that proportion. '
Md. Jahangir Alam added, "Ward-based risks will be identified first. All the information of every people will be collected within three months. Besides, every government department will conduct a house survey. Local people can express their needs. The concerned department will solve it according to the signature. However, in this case, the information must be accurate. The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief is working together to implement it.
Through this project VT elevation, construction of required number of roads, HBB construction of roads, construction of bridges and culverts, construction of new cyclone shelters / mujibkillas, renovation of shelters, installation of thunderbolts, training of all on Union and Ward Disaster Management Committees, -Training of all classes and political persons including teachers of the institution, NGO public representatives etc.
District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Jahangir Alam says, ‘Embankments will be constructed to prevent flooding of the sea, elevation of canals and river banks, excavation of canals, installation of CC book geobags to prevent river erosion. At the same time the poor and landless people of the whole union will come under the database. Those who are landless will get houses. Educational institutions will be increased to increase the rate of education. Those who are unemployed will be given jobs. '
Jahangir Alam said, "If these are implemented, natural disasters will no longer have to be dealt with. If it is successful, other unions of the upazila will be brought under this program in phases. '
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Minister for Disaster Management and Relief, MP Ashek Ullah Rafique, Director General of Disaster Management and Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner thanked all concerned for nominating Kalarmarchhara Union of Cox's Bazar.