Cyclone Preparedness Programm (CPP)
Background
After the devastating cyclone in 1970, on the request made by the General Assembly of the United Nations, Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) was established in 1972 by the then Bangladesh Red Cross Society (now Bangladesh Red Crescent Society-BDRCS) with the assistance of the then League of Red Cross Societies (now International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies-IFRC). As planned, the CPP activities were initiated in 2031 Units of 204 Unions under 24 Upazilas (sub-districts) of 7 coastal districts spreading from Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar to Patharghata, Barguna with the active participation of 20,310 volunteers.
After the inception of the programme, there was an intensive advocacy with the Government of Bangladesh for its advancement and sustainability. Considering the importance of the programme for saving lives and properties of the coastal people, the Government of Bangladesh came forward and took the responsibility of the programme with a view to continuing the programme with effect from July 1973. The programme was approved by the then Honorable Prime Minister, the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. As a result, it appeared as a joint programme of Government of Bangladesh & Bangladesh Red Crescent Society with the creation and establishment of the Policy Committee headed by Honorable Minister, Ministry of Disaster Management & Relief (MoDMR) and the Implementation Board headed by the Secretary, (MoDMR). Since then, CPP has been operationalized with its mandate in the field of disaster management in Bangladesh especially in early warning system, search and rescue, evacuation, sheltering, First Aid, relief distribution and rehabilitation activities.
The Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP) is a unique institutional arrangement for community preparedness created to mitigate the challenges of catastrophic cyclones that frequently hit Bangladesh coast.
Activities
CPP ensures rapid dissemination of official Bangladesh Met Department cyclone warning signals to the communities. Once warned, CPP assists in sheltering, rescuing and offering immediate medical attention. CPP is heavily involved in post disaster recuperation and extensive rehabilitation operations. Furthermore, we are continuously engaged in active development and implementation of BDRCS disaster preparedness strategies and schemes.
Our Scope
The CPP has 203 employees and approximately 76,020 volunteers (38010 male & 38010 are female Vol) across 7 zone, 13 districts, 42 Upazilla, 3801 Units.
Our Achievements
The programme has been awarded with Smith Tumsaroch Fund award 1998 from Thailand for its outstanding effort that has saved many thousands of lives in Bangladesh.
Now CPP is globally recognized as a model programme in the disaster management field for the last four decades.
Our Way
Forward In our constant pursuit of excellence through dedicated volunteering and service, the International Federation started a project called the Enhancement of CPP Project. Carried out over 2 phases, we aim to strengthen our coordination network and preparedness plan, along with enhancing BDRCS-GoB partnerships. This project is also supported by American Red Cross.
For more information please visit www.cpp.gov.bd
