Shadab Hasin,Dhaka, Nov. 26, 2025 — Experts and government officials at a workshop in Dhaka on Wednesday stressed the need for disability-inclusive and gender-responsive early warning systems to better safeguard vulnerable communities in Bangladesh’s coastal regions.
Caritas Bangladesh, Nabolok Parishad, Access Bangladesh and the Disabled Child Foundation jointly organized the event to share findings from a recent study conducted in partnership with the Community-Based Monitoring Group (CBMG). The study examined early warning practices across seven unions in Dacope, Koyra and Shyamnagar upazilas of Khulna and Satkhira districts.
The workshop, held at Hotel Lake Castle in Gulshan, gathered representatives from the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the Cyclone Preparedness Programme, the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, international agencies, NGOs, organizations of persons with disabilities, and the media.
Speakers emphasized that inclusive early warning systems were essential as climate threats intensify.
“Communities living with disabilities and women face greater risks during disasters. Ensuring accessible and timely warnings is crucial,” speakers said.
Speakers at the event highlighted gaps identified in the study, including limited accessibility of warnings for people with disabilities, inconsistent communication channels at the local level, and the need for stronger institutional cooperation.
Organizers said the workshop aimed to bridge knowledge gaps and promote inclusive disaster preparedness frameworks. They expressed hope that the findings would support national efforts to build more resilient and equitable early warning systems.
Women and people with disabilities have called for special provisions for early warning systems in disasters.
They also emphasized the necessity of directly including women and persons with disabilities when preparing disaster preparedness and risk reduction plans.
This demand was raised at a workshop held at a five-star hotel in Gulshan on Wednesday.
Apurbo Murong, Director of Programs at Caritas Bangladesh, delivered the welcome address at the inaugural session. Faruqi Ahmed, Deputy Secretary of the Disability Development Foundation, also spoke at the event.
Chief Consultant A. M. Nasir Uddin presented research conducted from December 23, 2024, to February 2025, on people with disabilities in Khulna and Satkhira districts who are currently deprived of access to early warning facilities during disasters.
The open discussion in the concluding session featured Dr. Bazlur Rashid of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, Nasrin Jahan of DCF, Abdullah Al Mamun of CBMG, and Albert Molla, Executive Director of Access Bangladesh Foundation.
The event concluded with commitments from participants to integrate disability and gender considerations into ongoing disaster risk reduction initiatives.