The government has called for stronger coordination among non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and greater use of nature-based solutions to reduce disaster risks, particularly in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

M Iqbal Hossain, state minister for disaster management and relief, made the call while speaking as the chief guest at the launch of Save the Children’s SURAKKHA project at a hotel in Dhaka on Thursday.

He said overlapping NGO activities often result in duplication and poor coordination, urging the government and development partners to work together to improve the effectiveness of disaster management initiatives.

Running from June 2026 to May 2028, the SURAKKHA project aims to strengthen early warning systems, disaster preparedness and anticipatory action in selected areas of Chattogram, Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachhari.

The region faces recurring threats from landslides, flash floods and heavy rainfall, which displace communities, damage homes and crops, and threaten local livelihoods.

A survey of 100 households found that 81.1% of those who received disaster warnings took immediate action, while 80.5% received warnings one to three days in advance. However, 44.8% reported severe mobile network disruptions during disasters, highlighting a major challenge to effective early warning systems.

Fatema Mehrennesa, manager of resilience and anticipatory action at Save the Children, said the project aims to reach 150,000 people, up from 40,000 during its previous phase.

Meteorologist Kamrul Hasan stressed the need to install modern weather stations and engage community-based volunteers to improve weather monitoring and early warnings in the CHT.

Speaking at the closing session, Saching Prue, minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts affairs, called for nature-based solutions that combine indigenous knowledge with ecosystem protection to reduce disaster risks.

He said sustainable approaches that work with nature, rather than relying solely on artificial structures, were essential to protecting communities and supporting long-term development.

Other speakers highlighted improvements in weather forecasting and disaster preparedness, while emphasising the need to strengthen local capacity to minimise losses from climate-related hazards.