• Emergency Preparedness and Response

Page Contents

Early in 2018, the Emergency Preparedness Working Group (EPWG) was formed to bring together important UN/I/NGOs involved in emergency preparedness and response planning. Following this, the Emergency Preparedness and Response Taskforce was created to minimise fatalities during the upcoming flood and cyclone season by taking all necessary precautions. The task force offers specialised, localised technical assistance and direction to further the Cox’s Bazar humanitarian community operations regarding readiness, preparedness, and risk reduction. It acts as a forum for technical debate and guidance on planning for readiness and response, including collaboration with the government. To consolidate and implement the strategy, the task force will continue to be active as needed.

The Working Group has made significant strides in emergency preparedness and response planning. They have developed a comprehensive plan encompassing various elements, such as early warning systems, immediate assessment and response, and emergency coordination structures. Moreover, the Group has established effective interaction and information-sharing channels with the military and forged agreements on sharing forecasting information for preparedness with the Global Collaborative Effort/BMD. Safety and security considerations have also been integrated into agencies’ Business Continuity Plans. Additionally, the Group has collaborated with the Government of Bangladesh to establish the Emergency Operations Centre at Cox’s Bazar and maintained ongoing communication with national authorities, agencies, and relevant working groups and task teams, such as emergency medical teams, to ensure effective coordination of emergency response and address any gaps in the sectors.

Recent Updates

2026

2025

  • Icon List Item

2024

2023

Strategy Documents

Technical Guidance

Resources

Assessments

Members

Core Technical Task Team (CTTT) – Current members:

  • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
  • Information Management Unit of UNHCR
  • International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
  • International Organization for Migration (IOM)
  • NGO Platform
  • Need and Population Monitoring (NPM) of IOM
  • Shelter – Camp Coordination and Camp Management (SCCCM) Sector
  • United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
  • United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
  • World Food Programme (WFP)

Extended group – current EPRWG members:

    • ActionAid Bangladesh (AAB)
    • Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED)
    • Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS)
    • Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC)
    • Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
    • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) – Chair
    • Humanity and Inclusion (HI)
    • Information Management Unit of UNHCR
    • International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
    • International Organization for Migration (IOM)
    • International Rescue Committee (IRC)
    • Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
    • NGO Platform
    • Need and Population Monitoring (NPM) of IOM
    • Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
    • United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
    • United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
    • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
    • World Food Programme (WFP)
    • All Sectors, subsectors, and cross-cutting working groups/networks
        • Education
        • Food Security
        • Health
        • Livelihoods and Skill Development
        • Nutrition
        • Protection
        • Shelter – Camp Coordination and Camp Management (SCCCM)
        • Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
        • Subsectors – Gender-Based Violence & Child Protection
        • Accountability to Affected Population Working Group (AAP WG)
        • Age and Disability Working Group (AGD WG)
        • Energy and Environment Network (EEN)
        • Gender in Humanitarian Action Working Group (GiHA WG) 
        • Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Network (PSEA Network)
        • Youth Working Group (YWG)

Meetings

Meeting Minutes

Contacts

MD. TANJIMUL ALAM ARIF
Disaster Response Management Officer
Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordinator
Seconded by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Rohingya Coordination Platform (RCP)
Mobile: (+88) 01855-966993 || Email: [email protected] 
Coordination Hub, Kabita Sarani, Motel Road, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh