A preparedness meeting on earthquakes was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The meeting took place on Wednesday (July 29) at 4:00 PM at the Cabinet Division of the Bangladesh Secretariat, focusing on post-earthquake emergency response and strengthening the government's overall preparedness.

Detailed discussions were held during the meeting regarding the formation of a national task force, plans to prepare 100,000 volunteers for emergency services in Dhaka and surrounding areas following an earthquake, providing them with training, and supplying necessary equipment.

Notably, a database of 70,000 volunteers has already been prepared, and the remaining 30,000 volunteers will be readied swiftly.

Views were also exchanged at the meeting on undertaking various programs to raise public awareness to cope with earthquakes. Additionally, a decision was made to establish a special cell for earthquake preparedness at the Prime Minister's Office.

Furthermore, discussions were held on ways to ensure effective coordination between government and private institutions during a potential disaster period. The establishment of a Humanitarian Staging Area (HSA) in Dhaka city was also discussed at the meeting.

Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Asadul Habib Dulu, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief M. Iqbal Hosein, State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Professor Dr. M. A. Muhit, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar, and Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Md. Saidur Rahman Khan, among others, were present at the meeting.