Photo: Collected
The manpower at the Department of Disaster Management has remained unchanged for 52 years, with only two staff members per upazila and seven per district since 1972. This lack of growth is disrupting field operations, especially during disasters like floods. Officials are calling for an increase in manpower and upgradation of posts.
In response to the crisis, the advisor of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has acknowledged the issue and pledged to address it soon.
Meanwhile, officials and employees of the department formed a human chain on Monday afternoon in front of the Mohakhali Disaster Management Department in Dhaka. They demanded reforms, including the implementation of the 'Disaster Management Act-2012' and the promotion of field-level officials.
It has been reported that various districts across the country are grappling with severe flooding, with a significant number of individuals, including students, actively involved in relief efforts. However, the designated personnel responsible for overseeing disaster management activities are notably absent.
Currently, each upazila has only one project implementation officer and one office staff member from the Department of Disaster Management. At the district level, there are just 7 staff members, including one District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer, a figure unchanged since 1972. Furthermore, while there are 64 relief and rehabilitation officers nationwide, there are only 19 vehicles available for use.
Field-level workers from the Department of Disaster Management are facing considerable challenges due to the ongoing floods and manpower shortages. Officials have indicated that the crisis will persist if the Disaster Management Act-2012 is not implemented and field-level officials are not promoted.
Deputy Project Director of Disaster Management Department, Md Ismail Hossain said that in 1972, a Thana (currently Upazila Parishad) level was established in 1972 with the aim of building-renovating-maintaining the rural infrastructure of the newly-created Bangladesh, which was devastated by the war of independence, as well as nation-building, providing assistance to the public, and implementing relief and rehabilitation programs. The post of 2nd class project implementation officer is created. The project implementation officers performed their duties at the police station level under the direct supervision of the then Ministry of Relief and Rehabilitation (now the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief).
Later in 1983, the 'Relief and Rehabilitation Department' (now Disaster Management Department) was created under the Ministry of Relief and Rehabilitation (now the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief) and at the Upazila Parishad level, one post of Upazila Project Implementation Officer (Class 2), one post of Office Assistant and at the district level, one post of District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (Grade 7) has been included under the department and the field level activities of this department have been implemented. Even though 52 years have passed from 1972 to 2024, there has been no increase in manpower at the upazila and district level and the rank has not been modernized in line with other departments.
An official said that after the approval of the Disaster Management Act-2012, the Department of Relief and Rehabilitation and the Disaster Management Bureau were abolished and the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) was formed, but the manpower structure and recruitment rules were not made in the last 12 years.
Meanwhile, 8 point demands from the human chain were made to the officials and employees. They also demanded the implementation of eight points immediately.
The demands are that the upgradation and designation of the posts of Upazila Project Implementation Officer (PIO) and District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO) should be changed. In the light of Disaster Management Act-2012, the proposed manpower structure and recruitment rules should be approved. Similar to the secretariat, the employees of the Department of Disaster Management should be changed in designation and upgradation. Sub-Assistant Engineers, Work Assistants, Accountants, Accounts Assistants, Office Assistants cum Computer Operators, Car Drivers, Lift Operators, Electricians, Plumbers, Cleaners working in all projects under the Department and Department (Outsourcing/ Project/ Master Roll) jobs should be shifted to the revenue sector.
The jobs of office assistants recruited under the outsourcing system in the posts created in the revenue sector in the office of the Upazila Project Implementation Officer and the jobs of sub-assistant engineers working under the projects of SMODMRPA should be transferred to the revenue sector.
All vacancies in the Department of Disaster Management are to be filled by promotion/current duties/recruitment.
Notification related to leave of project implementation officers working at field level and guidelines regarding transfer/appointment of district relief and rehabilitation officers and upazila pre-implementation officers-2019 should be cancelled.
Providing vehicles to district and upazila offices for conducting emergency relief operations/rescue work.
Acknowledging the crisis, Farooq E Azam, adviser to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, told reporters, "I have discussed the issues with the officials and employees. We will reform soon.”
Messenger/Disha
