Interviewers Name: A2.
Profile: A2, he was the form er UN disaster planner and w ater expert who work and research on flood and m anaging the disaster. A t present he is w orking as a Senior lecturer in BUET and BRAC.
Interview date and time: 02 D ecem ber 10, 1700-1820 hrs
Duration: 1 hrs 20 m inutes.
Interview Analysis:
Command and Control: A2 specifically gave his opinion that m ilitary or Arm ed Forces should w ork under the G overnm ent representative at all level. He also m entioned that in many cases it has been found that m ilitary or the A rm ed Forces played the leading role especially in em ergency response period but it will be better for all if in U pazilla level beside the Thana N irbahi O fficer (TN O ) the elected governm ent body like the U pazilla Chairm an also incorporated in decision m aking group at Upazilla level. He m entioned that if the situation needs in that case the A rm ed Force can directly control the entire activities providing that the A rm y com m ander has been nom inated for that particular area by the G overnm ent before the disaster takes place and he should w ork as a com m ander for a specific tim e period. He also m entioned that at U pazilla level the TN O , A rm ed Forces com m ander at U pazilla level and the Upazilla Chairm an these 03 m en should w ork as in a coordinated way and the Arm ed forces com m ander m ay act as a c h ie f coordinator in that case if the situation needs.
Civil Military Relation (CMR): A2 also m entioned that the presence o f A rm ed Forces ensures the accountability and reduce the rate o f corruption. He said that the presence relation between A rm ed Forces and civil adm inistration is not bad.
Relation between Civil Administration, Military Administration and N G O ’s: A2 m entioned that the relation betw een civil adm inistration and m ilitary is m oderate. He was against the N G O ’s integration in D isaster m anagem ent system because basing on his long experience he m entioned that the NG O in Bangladesh has never played his positive role and
Integration o f NGOs in National Disaster Management Plan: The revised SOD 2010 has introduced the Incident Com m and System in B angladesh recently. In ICS the incorporation o f N G O has been m entioned. A2 is strongly against the incorporation o f NGO in revised SOD 2010 because he believed that the integration o f local people in disaster m anagem ent plan will be right step. The dependency on A rm ed Forces in all disaster should be avoided by training the local people and form ing up a civil defense force in all upazilla level. This civil defense will be stronger than that o f a NG O in case any disaster. This trained civil defense force can also trained the local people in peace tim e for fighting against the natural disaster.
Confidence o f General Mass during emergency response: A2 gave em phasis to Arm ed forces specially to coordinate all operation like rescue, evacuation and relief. He said that still in B angladesh the A rm ed Forces has got the confidence from the general m ass and they believed that only the A rm ed Forces can distribute the relief m aterial w ithout any interference from political party or corruption.
Political Interfere: A2 m entioned that only A rm ed Forces is the only organized and disciplined force in B angladesh which is free from all interference.
Skill and Management ability of Armed Forces: He m entioned that depending on the high m obility, distinct chain o f com m and and accountability increases the perform ance o f the A rm ed Forces. Still this organization can take lead in any disaster in Bangladesh.
NGOs Performance: He m entioned that the N G O s has got som e success or good perform ance in early disaster but in overall picture this N G O is still not achieved that efficiency in Bangladesh to m anage the disaster alone.
Development of ICS in Bangladesh; He m entioned that the m ajor obstacles to introduce the Incident C om m and System in B angladesh are the none-participation o f local elected body at all level and introduce the civil defense force instead o f N G O ’s in revised SOD 2010. He m entioned that a local chairm an is m ore oriented than a TN O or an A rm ed Forces com m ander in an upazilla level. And this is applicable in all level. He especially gave em phasis on U pazilla level because in district level the area o f jurisd iction is very large. So the upazilla is an ideal unit to establish any ideal m odel. To activate a proper ICS system at upazilla level he said the incident com m and group or unified com m and group should be form ed up by three m en . They are as follows:
1) The Local governm ent high officials ( TN O at U pazilla level)
2) The Local A rm ed Forces C om m ander ( N om inated by A rm ed Forces D ivision)
3) The Local elected governm ent body ( The upazilla C hairm an)
A2 gave an exam ple on Republic people o f China. In China the com m unist party has got its elected men at lower governm ent jurisdictional areas, w here they w ork along with governm ental officials. The party people m ainly w ork basing on the party political idolism and agenda as well as the local people dem and. And the governm ental official’s duty is to fulfill these agendas by follow ing the governm ental policies and rules and regulation. So this com bined approach o f elected figure or political representative and governm ent officials successfully accom plish the goal o f the governm ent. So A2 told if in upazilla level the elected political body integrated in decision m aking process he can organize his party people as well as the local people for any jo b and the governm ental high official can supervise the legal aspects. And the overall operation, rescue and relief distribution activities can be coordinated by the local A rm ed Forces Com m ander.
Duration: 1 hrs 15 m inutes.
Interview Analysis:
Command and Control: A3 m entioned that in case o f any disaster the com m and should be under the com m and o f A rm ed Force C om m ander but the control and coordination should be m anaged by civil adm inistration. He also m entioned basing his own w orking experience in em ergency response that at higher level there is no am biguity regarding the delegation o f authority or the com m and control issues but it exists at low er level.
Local Elected/ Political Leader: A3 m entioned that the integration o f political leader has great im pact on disaster m anagem ent process especially it will have a im portant role on ICS. D uring em ergency response the political leader are the m ain driving forces that can organize the local affected people and gave them consolation and inspire for fight against the disaster. The local political leader can play an im portant role to m anage the local volunteer in case o f any em ergency response operation w ithin a short notice.
Civil Military Relation (CMR): A3 expressed his positive attitude on existing CM R in the country. He said that the present CM R is ensuring better disaster m anagem ent during em ergency response.
Relation between Civil Administration, Military Administration and N G O ’s:
The relation betw een civil adm inistration and m ilitary is m oderate and has got less influence by civil bureaucrats w hen the Arm ed Force is act as a leading agency. The N G O s are w orking independent in their respective A rea o f R esponsibility (A O R). The operation plan for rescue or evacuation or the relief distribution plan are m ade by the A rm ed Forces and m axim um tim es these plan are approved by the civil adm inistration w ithout any interfere. But
A3 expressed his m ind that A rm ed Forces com m ander should seek help and technical know ledge from expertise w hile preparing the em ergency response plan and thereby the plan will be m ore w orkable and soundproof.
Integration o f NGOs in National Disaster Management Plan: The revised SOD 2010 has introduced the Incident Com m and System in B angladesh recently. In ICS the incorporation o f N G O has been m entioned. In Bangladesh the N G O s are playing an im portant role from the very beginning but there was no jo in t effort by N G O s, A rm ed Forces and Civil A dm inistration so far. And he m entioned by setting his personal w orking experience in Fire service that with the support o f some international N G O s and UNDP they could trained and equipped a good num ber o f volunteers w hich will enhance the overall perform ance o f the Fire service during em ergency response. He m entioned that they are preparing 200 local trained volunteers for each local Fire service station when the crisis tim e will arise the responsible officer from local Fire service will organized these volunteers with the help o f local political leader w ithin a short notice. These 200 local volunteers will form 5 groups for caring out search, rescue, evacuation and First Aid. Each group will com prise o f 40 m em bers.
Confidence of General Mass during emergency response: He m entioned that still the people o f B angladesh has m ore confidence on Arm ed Forces than any other organization in the country. He m entioned from his experience that m axim um tim e the Fire service acts as a first responder. Initially it acts as a leading agency but when the m agnitude is m ore than the capacity o f the Fire service its alw ays the Arm ed Forces who takes control over the situation as an exam ple o f destruction o f G arm ents factory at SA V A R and fire break out incident at N IM TOLI.
Political Interfere: A3 m entioned that interference is alw ays there in both cases like civil or m ilitary adm inistration but its obvious that the interference is less in case o f A rm ed forces when take control over the relief distribution. In case o f N G O s it depends upon their size and shape and connectivity w ith powerful donor agencies. Even though the political leaders try to influence the local N G O s som e time.
Supervision o f NGOs: He m entioned that the N G O s can contribute a lot as they have continues relation with the locality so they can provide better know ledge and w orkable database to Arm ed Forces. But the supervision o f N G Os should be in such a way so that it can regulate his usual service they way it should be. The strict control o f the N G O s may hinder the norm al progress or developm ent o f the disaster m anagem ent system . He also m entioned that the N G O s can better play under supervision o f A rm ed Forces than civil adm inistration.
NGOs Performance: A3 m entioned that the perform ance o f the N G O s is appreciable but still it’s not m agnificent com pare to governm ent m inistries.
Development of ICS in Bangladesh: A3 particularly m entioned that location o f Em ergency O peration Center (EO C ) and delegation o f A uthority in ICS are the m ajor exist conflict. He gave opinioned that the overall m anager o f EOC m ust be a technical expertise rather to be a bureaucratic.
Case Study-4
Interviewers Name: A4.
Profile: A4, he was a professor o f D epartm ent o f G eology in D haka U niversity. He has w orking experience in UNDP also. He is one o f the national expertises on earthquake in our country. At present he is w orking as an urban risk reduction specialist in C om prehensive D isaster M anagem ent Program m e (CDM P).
Interview date and time: 20 D ecem ber 10, 1400-1530 hrs
Duration: 1 hrs 30 m inutes.
Interview Analysis:
Government Representative: A4 specifically gave his opinion that m ilitary or Arm ed Forces should not w ork under the G overnm ent representative during em ergency response. And the overall control over the situation should be m anned by a well experienced and a person w ith technical know ledge on that. D uring em ergency response the com m and and control becom e a com m on issue w hich creates conflict and som etim e am biguity. He m entioned that the com m and and control o f the A rm ed Forces and civil adm inistration should be balanced and parallel so that it doesn’t create any am biguity am ong the civil and m ilitary adm inistration especially at district level.
Civil Military Relation (CMR): A4 said regarding C M R that the present CM R is healthy and com fortable in our country. He added m ore that the civil and m ilitary adm inistration can w ork together basing on good faith and confidence. He also m entioned that still in our country we d o n ’t have any define and well coordinated effort for the developm ent o f the CM R. He said that for successful im plem entation o f ICS during em ergency response we need a healthy com fortable relationship betw een A rm ed Forces and Civil A dm inistration. He feels to incorporate distinct policy in this aspect.
Relation between Civil Administration, Military Administration and N G O ’s: A4 m entioned that the relation betw een civil adm inistration and m ilitary is m oderate and has got
Integration of NGOs in National Disaster Management Plan: The revised SOD 2010 has introduced the Incident C om m and System in Bangladesh recently. A4 m entioned that the incorporation o f N G O in ICS is a positive step tow ards a well disaster m anagem ent plan. He also m entioned that in ICS the N G O s can better play under super vision o f A rm ed forces than the civil adm inistration because o f the follow ing reason:
• The com m and and control shape is well defined and structured than any other organization in Bangladesh
• The A rm ed Forces never com prom ises with any indiscipline act or with com fortable which is very im portant for the hum anitarian activities.
• This organization has shown the utm ost sincerity and dedication in past disaster scenario.
He m entioned that the integration o f N G O s in ISC will help the A rm ed Forces to get m ore inform ation regarding locality. A lso the technical know ledge and expertise from N G O s can provide necessary support for preparation o f evacuation, search and rescue planning. He m entioned that the integration N G O s will give a scope to N G O s for duel perform ances with other organization and contribute their effort tow ards hum anitarian activities.
Confidence of General Mass during emergency response: A4 said that the general m ass has got the highest confidence on A rm ed Forces. And A rm ed forces have m ore experience than governm ent officials in case o f m anaging disaster. A nd the proper distribution o f relief m aterials in affected area in respect o f distance or difficulties m ade the A rm ed Forces closer to the general m ass o f Bangladesh.
Political Interfere: A4 expressed his opinion that A rm ed Forces enjoyed less political interference than any other organization in Bangladesh. And thereby the A rm ed Forces can ensure their relief distribution plan in time.
Skill and M anagement ability o f Armed Forces: A4 m entioned that depending on the high m obility, distinct chain o f com m and and accountability increases the perform ance o f the A rm ed Forces, but they have lack o f technical know ledge and the local database w hich is very essential for caring out any assessm ent. And N G O s can play a better role in that aspect. He also m entioned that the A rm ed Forces have got the skill and ability for m anaging the disaster and they enjoyed m ore experience than any other governm ent officials and organization.
Delegation of Authority: A4 m entioned that the A rm ed Forces have got the skill and ability for m anaging the disaster and they enjoyed m ore experience than any other governm ent officials and organization. He also m entioned that in district level the Arm ed Forces C om m ander should w ork as an incident com m ander and not on beh alf o f the D eputy C om m issioner (D C) rather as independently. As an incident com m ander the A rm ed Forces com m ander should w ork parallel to DC and before taking any decision he should discuss with the DC and m aintain a well coordination all the tim e. Regarding delegation o f authority he m entioned that the Arm ed Forces should carry out ICS training at unit com m ander (Lieutenant Colonel) level, so that they act as an incident com m ander at district level. The defense m inister (Prim e M inister) should delegate the com m and and control (C2) authority to Principal S taff O fficer (PSO) o f A FD who is a lieutenant General rank (equivalent to Secretary). The PSO, AFD should nom inate the ICS trained officer at District level w ho will act as an Incident C om m ander (IC). And the nom ination should be done before the disaster take place. The nom ination should be done basing on the follow ing criteria:
a) T raining on ICS
b) Previous experience on D isaster m anagem ent
Supervision o f NGOs: He m entioned that the N G O s will be m ore com fortable under supervision o f A rm ed forces instead o f the civil adm inistration during em ergency response. Because the A rm y has got m ore skill than the civil adm inistration, they are cooperative and well disciplined force. The N G O s faced bureaucratic problem w hile dealing with the civil adm inistration.
Development of ICS in Bangladesh: He m entioned that the ICS is m ainly a m anagem ent system by w hich an incident can be covered in a well m anner and it is a part o f
Case Study-5
Interviewers Name: A5.
Profile: A5 has got the long experience o f w orking with national and international hum anitarian organizations hom e in abroad. He w orked under OX FA M in V ietnam for a long tim e and M yanm ar after the cyclone NA RG IS. A5 at present is w orking as a disaster response m anagem ent specialist under C om prehensive D isaster M anagem ent Program m e (CDM P) w hich is funded by UNDP and this program m e is the part o f M inistry o f Food and Disaster M anagem ent M inistry.
Interview date and time: 20 D ecem ber 10, 1535-1700 hrs
Duration: 1 hrs 25 m inutes.
Interview Analysis:
Government Representative: A5 strongly gave his opinion that the Arm ed forces should rem ain under com m and and control o f Civil A dm inistration. He particularly m entioned that in case o f Flood and Cyclone the A rm ed force should rem ain under com m and o f civil adm inistration but in case o f only earthquake it should be the A rm ed force that should com m and and control the entire situation.
Civil Military Relation (CMR): A5 said the CM R in our country is partially well and it depends on the situation.
Relation between Civil Administration, Military Administration and NG O ’s: The relation betw een civil adm inistration and m ilitary is m oderate but it depends on personal basis also.
Integration o f NGOs in National Disaster M anagement Plan: The revised SOD 2010 has introduced the Incident Com m and System in B angladesh recently. In ICS the incorporation o f NG O has been m entioned. In Bangladesh the N G O s are playing an im portant role from the very beginning but there was no jo in t effort by N G O s, A rm ed Forces and Civil A dm inistration so far. And he m entioned clearly by setting his personal w orking
Confidence of General Mass during emergency response: A5 m entioned that the confidence o f the local people may not be focused to A rm ed Forces all tim e. From his experience he m entioned that the confidence m ainly depends on the situation and perform ances o f the organization.
Political Interfere: A5 m entioned that the Bangladesh present perspective its very natural to interference o f the political leader specially in relief distribution. The political leader has got m ore influence on civil adm inistration but less on A rm ed Forces. In case o f N G O s it depends upon their size and shape basically on local N G O s the political interference is m ore and international N G O s is totally free from this kind o f activities.
Skill and M anagement ability of Armed Forces: He m entioned that depending on the