Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu has said Bangladesh must be prepared for earthquakes before they strike, as the country remains at risk of seismic disasters.

“Earthquakes do not give any warning. They can suddenly shake the ground and devastate vast areas,” he said while addressing the inaugural ceremony of a training programme on earthquakes at the Department of Disaster Management in Dhaka on Thursday (3 September).

Dulu said preparations must be completed in advance so that rescue operations could be launched quickly and assistance provided to affected people immediately after an earthquake.

“That is why, following the prime minister’s directive, the ministry is preparing 100,000 volunteers,” he said.

The minister said Bangladesh is a disaster-prone country where various types of disasters regularly struck, adding that the government has taken a range of initiatives to reduce the suffering caused by disasters.

Speaking as a special guest, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief M Iqbal Hossain said training made individuals more capable, experienced and competent.

He expressed hope that trained volunteers would immediately come forward to serve people in distress whenever an opportunity arose.

The event was chaired by Department of Disaster Management Director General Rezwanur Rahman. Ministry Secretary Mohammad Saiful Islam also spoke as a special guest.