One of the members of Shacheton Dal, Mrs. Taslima, who was the first one to receive “Bidhoba Bhata”, shared some of the impacts of the project. One of the impacts was that people have learned to save. They all have bank accounts in Sonali Bank.  Ms. Taslima raised a question during the public hearing meeting about how to save livestock during disasters. Mr. Nasir Talukdar from Sundarban, who used to cut down trees in Sundarban illegally, shared his experience on how BDPC advised him and changed his life by showing him the right path.

Mr. Abdul Wajed, Director General of DDM, believed that there were always a lot of things to learn from such advocacy programs. He thanked all the NGOs for working in the field of disaster risk reduction.

Mr. Abdul Qayyum, Additional Secretary and National Project Director, CDMP, encouraged projects like re-excavation of the canal. He said that significant benefits are generated from one intervention. He mentioned that a project like the re-excavation one provided information to the people and that such a project preserved natural resources. Livelihood is non-existent without the availability of natural resources. He said that empowerment entailed dignity and that when people start giving instead of taking it is then that we know that empowerment has been established. He requested everyone to join in working towards building dignity in the community.

Mr .Saidur Rahman ended the program by thanking everyone. These were his closing remarks, “We should not look into the past but start looking into the future.”  If disaster reduction is linked with sustainable livelihood, it will be beneficial for the people living in disaster prone areas. There is no other way but ensuring the service of every governmental and nongovernmental organization. The practice of positive mindset, team work and rights to information through sustainable livelihood achievement will reduce the disaster risk.