Bangladesh launches PROTISTHAA to strengthen disaster preparedness

Bangladesh has officially launched a new initiative to strengthen disaster preparedness and anticipatory action, with the unveiling of the PROTISTHAA project in Dhaka on Tuesday.

The programme, led by CARE Bangladesh together with Action Against Hunger (ACF), Acted, and RIMES as the technical partner and ESDO, NSS and Uttaran as the implementing partners, and funded by the European Union’s humanitarian aid arm, DG ECHO seeks to institutionalise forecast-based responses and reduce risks for vulnerable communities across the country.

Speaking as chief guest, ABM Shafiqul Haidar, additional secretary to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, said disaster management required collaboration beyond government capabilities alone. “This initiative plays a pivotal role in operationalising strategies and extending critical support directly to vulnerable communities,” he noted.

The project will focus on monsoon floods, flash floods and cyclones, targeting more than 87,000 people across riverine floodplains, haor regions, coastal districts and Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar.

It places strong emphasis on gender equality, social inclusion and the participation of persons with disabilities.

Officials from the Department of Disaster Management, Department of Livestock Services, Bangladesh Meteorological Department and Department of Agricultural Extension attended the launch, alongside representatives from ECHO.

Over the next two years, PROTISTHAA is expected to reduce deaths, injuries and asset losses through faster trigger-to-assistance timelines, wider dissemination of early warnings and stronger local capacities.