International forum on tornado disaster risk reduction for Bangladesh

The main objectives of the forum are to understand severe local storm disaster risks in Bangladesh, raise awareness of the risks at local, national, and international levels, and develop a strategy to reduce the risks through active interactions among renowned international experts, national and local experts, and local practitioners and decision makers. The strategy includes components of early warning system, risk and vulnerability assessment, research in meteorology, climatology, and engineering, household and community shelter, public awareness and education, finance and community planning, and governance and policy making. The outcomes of this forum will aid in helping the Government of Bangladesh to adopt policies and development planning to reduce risks from severe local storms. The outcomes will stimulate donor agencies and NGOs to conduct specific projects to reduce the disaster risks. Overall, the forum will contribute to the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action.