Key stakeholders at a workshop yesterday called for developing capacities of the local government bodies in the disaster risk reduction and mitigation efforts.

They also stressed the need for developing a better understanding of how local government bodies and communities can play effective role in managing and reducing disasters risks.

Titled 'Strengthening the role of local governments in disaster risk reduction.’ the World Bank (WB) organised the workshop at a city hotel in a bid to develop better understanding of how local governments and communities can play effective roles in reducing disaster risk and its management.

Addressing as the chief guest, Local Government Division Secretary Shaikh Khurshid Alam said we have already asked the local government authorities to get ready to tackle the possible upcomingflood this year.

He said Bangladesh is improving day by day in disaster management, adding that local government authorities play key role in disaster management and also to mitigate the human sufferings.

The LGRD secretary said, “Wc give instructions from here (ministry), but it is the local governments that play active role in disaster management."

WB Bangladesh Operations Adviser Mohamed Alhousseyni Toure said, "It is very important to ensure harmonisation among the government departments and development partners in their support for strengthening local governments' role in disaster risk reduction related initiatives."

The speakers, including local government leaders, suggested ways to strengthen the union parishads for undertaking disaster risk reduction initiatives as well as integrating those initiatives within the WB-funded ongoing Local Government Support Project (LGSP).

Around 50 government and WB officials are taking part in the two-day workshop.