Thirty local volunteers in Hatiya, Noakhali, have strengthened their disaster preparedness skills to help communities receive timely early warnings, reach safe shelters, and respond more effectively during emergencies.

Volunteers from Char Ishwar Union, Char King Union, and Hatiya Municipality took part in a two-day disaster preparedness training under the EVCR Project. The training began on 15 September 2026 at the training venue of Dwip Unnayan Sangstha in Hatiya and concluded on 16 September 2026.

The training focused on building the practical knowledge and preparedness of local volunteers who are often among the first people available to support communities when disasters strike.

Building local preparedness before disasters strike

Over the two days, participants explored key areas of disaster preparedness and response, including early warning, anticipatory action, the disaster management cycle, search and rescue, safe evacuation, and emergency coordination.

The sessions also discussed how volunteers can support people at heightened risk during emergencies and help ensure that community members are able to reach safe shelters quickly and safely.

Particular attention was given to the needs and safety of women, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities, recognising that different groups can face different risks and barriers during disasters.

Participants also learned about the roles and responsibilities of Disaster Management Committees and Cyclone Shelter Management Committees, as well as the responsibilities of community volunteers before, during, and after emergencies.

Early warning and anticipatory action

On the first day, Anisur Rahman, Upazila Project Implementation Officer of Hatiya, facilitated discussions on early warning, anticipatory action, and the use of modern technology in disaster preparedness and response.

He highlighted the importance of ensuring that accurate and timely warning messages reach communities so that people have enough time to prepare and move to safety.

The session also discussed how technology can support faster communication and help reduce disaster-related losses and damage. Participants were also introduced to different forms of government assistance available to communities following disasters.

Strengthening practical response capacity

The second day focused on the disaster management cycle, search and rescue, and practical approaches to safe evacuation during emergencies.

Participants discussed evacuation priorities, emergency coordination, and ways of assisting community members who may require additional support to reach cyclone shelters and other safe locations.

The training aimed not only to strengthen volunteers’ knowledge but also to help them better understand how that knowledge can be applied within their own communities.

Volunteers at the heart of community response

In disaster-prone areas such as Hatiya, local volunteers can play an important role in connecting preparedness systems with communities.

Because they live within the communities they serve, volunteers can help communicate early warning messages, identify people requiring assistance, support evacuation, coordinate with local institutions, and stand beside affected families during and after emergencies.

Strengthening their preparedness and response capacity is therefore an important part of building more resilient communities.

Through the training, the 30 volunteers are better equipped to support community preparedness and contribute to more timely, inclusive, and coordinated responses when disasters occur.

About the EVCR Project

The EVCR Project is being implemented in Hatiya, Noakhali, by Nazrul Smriti Sangsad (NSS) and Participatory Research & Action Network -PRAAN, with support from Start Fund Bangladesh.

The project works with disaster-prone communities to strengthen local preparedness, resilience, and the capacity of communities and local actors to reduce risks and respond effectively to emergencies.