The government is training 62,000 volunteers to come to the aid of the people right after an earthquake, said Food and Disaster Management Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque yesterday.

Addressing a workshop held at BGMEA auditorium in the city, the minister, as the chief guest, said the ministry has already purchased equipment worth Tk 70 crore to help save lives and reduce damages due to earthquakes.

Government is putting emphasis on preparedness and protection to reduce damages caused by earthquakes, said Razzaque at the workshop titled “Increasing awareness among the officials and employees of garment industries on earthquake and fire incident.”

Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Population Services and Training Centre (PSTC) jointly organised the workshop with ActionAid Bangladesh and European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office, says a press release.

A huge number of garment workers are at risk from earthquakes as Bangladesh is second in the earthquake risk index list of the United Nations, said speakers at the workshop.

President of BGMEA Abdus Salam Morshedi presided over the workshop while Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defence Abu Nayeem Md Shahidullah, Acting Country Director of ActionAid Asgar Ali Sabri, Director General of Disaster Management Bureau Ahsan Zakir and Executive Director of PSTC Milon Bikas Pal were present as special guests.