Today’s Call-In-Show focused on the topic of natural disaster and the challenges that it brings with it. The panelists answered questions and discussed the ways in which the world is preparing to face these challenges. They also suggested what more should be done.
All kinds of natural disasters are plaguing the world of today. Even a developed country like the United States which reaches out to developing countries in need is currently suffering from a blizzard in Washington DC and the metro region. The panelists answered questions about the importance of early prediction and disaster management that follows after a natural disaster hits. We should not wait to be hit to speak about the dangers of it which is why emergency preparedness is necessary. They believe that risk assessment followed by effective strategies can lower the amount of harm. They said that they are hopeful because people are not in denial anymore. Awareness is the first step to solving problems as grave as this.
The panelists were Dr. ASM Maksud Kamal, Professor of Geology at Dhaka University working for the Comprehensive Disaster Management Program (CDMP) on earthquake and tsunami preparedness, Dr. Bimal K Paul whose core areas of geographic research are in human-environment interactions, population, health geographies, geospatial analysis and application, and Dr. Qudsia Huda, a trained surgeon, currently a WHO expert in Cairo working on disaster management for 22 countries and developingmodels for risk reduction and emergency preparedness.