Capacity Building and Training Initiatives for Disaster Preparedness Among Telecom Workforce in Bangladesh: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Especially in disaster-prone countries like Bangladesh, being prepared for disaster is extremely critical. Based on recent capacity-building projects on one side and investigation of various telecom-employee difficulties during different types of disasters, current viable recommendations for development have been proposed in this paper. The findings highlight the key infrastructure weaknesses, logistic constraints, and shortcomings in training programs through topic and content analysis of interviews with 10 telecom employees using qualitative research. Poor access to new technologies and psychological stress further worsen the challenges. Current training courses differ only in the extent to which logistics and psychological preparation are emphasized superficially and in how little realistic simulations are included. These include enhancing infrastructure resilience, developing equitable training courses, promoting stakeholder cooperation, and leveraging newly developed technology such as solar energy and drones. This will be supported by policy changes to support resource decentralization and regulatory structures for advanced instruments. Using these techniques, the Bangladeshi telecom industry will be better able to handle disasters and provide continuous communication during times of crisis, hence strengthening national resilience.