A former chemistry teacher has become the first Bangladeshi to win a United Nations disaster reduction award for his work in designing early warning disaster systems.
Muhammad Saidur Rahman received the so-called Sasakawa Award during a ceremony in Dhaka today (Wednesday). The prize was set up by a Japanese non-profit organization in 1986.
Mr. Rahman has helped develop early warning systems for cyclones and floods and has also led efforts to help mobilize communities at risk. At the award ceremony, he said Bangladesh is excellent in post-disaster management, but still needs progress in preparing for possible disasters.
Some of his ideas include having volunteers on boats, teachers, folk singers and village doctors transmit disaster alerts to every area facing catastrophe.
A cyclone in 1991 killed nearly 140-thousand people in Bangladesh. Another cyclone in 1970 killed more than 300-thousand people.