The National Plan for Disaster Management for the period of 2008-2015 is a long desired document based on the global and regional commitment of the Government of Bangladesh and its vision on disaster management. The plan reflects the basic principles of the SAARC Framework on Disaster Management.

We all are aware about the specific programmes of Disaster Management Bureau to minimise the Disaster risk at the community level and country as well. The DMB with the proper guideline of the Ministry of Food & Disaster Management already introduced Standing Orders on Disaster in 1997, which is now active as a main instrument of comprehensive Disaster Management of the country. The Bureau now also engaged in a process to finalise National Disaster Management Act, Improvement of Cyclone Signalling System, Revision of Standing Orders on Disaster. Procuring modern and sophisticated Search and Rescue Equipments, Needs and Damage Assessment Report on flood 2007 and Cyclone SIDR 2007 and other related workshops and its proper execution to face the challenges of the disaster. It is our matter of great prides that before introduction of Hugo Framework for action, Millennium Development Goals, United Nations Framework convention on Climate change Bangladesh has introduced its own Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme for mainstreaming disaster management in development plan and programmes. The CPP activities and disaster management programme activities, acclaimed by world communities and since it is incepted as a pioneer one. It indicates the commitment of Bangladesh Government to introduce all hazards, all risks mitigation approaching a well planned and under a well established institutional framework.

The key focus of the National Plan for Disaster Management is to establish institutional accountability in preparing and implementing disaster management plans at different levels of the country. Development Plans incorporating Disaster Risk Reduction and Hazard Specific Multi-Sectoral Plans have made this plan an exclusive tool for reducing risk and achieving sustainable development.

Traditionally we are used to manage the natural hazards but the need for addressing the emerging issues like climate change adaptation, drought, desertification and human induced hazards in national policy and plans was very much required. For the first time, a national document on disaster management has included both natural and human induced hazards in its action plan involving government and non-government organizations, and private sector in a comprehensive way.

The plan has been prepared in a participatory way having several consultations with stakeholders and established a road map of effective partnership with the organizations working in local, national and regional levels. It is expected that this plan will contribute towards developing and strengthening regional and national networks.