DHAKA, Dec 5, 2024 (BSS) - Secretary to the Ministry of Relief and Disaster Management Kamrul Hasan today said the government is working to bring some changes to the existing policy for volunteers, allowing people of all ages to engage in voluntary activities.

"Some changes are to be brought to the policy of volunteers allowing people from all ages to engage in voluntary activities. People will also be allowed to work as a volunteer from abroad if they want," he said.

Kamrul was addressing a program titled 'Diverse Volunteers, Stronger Communities, Organised by Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) at the Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building of Dhaka University today, marking the World Volunteer Day.

DU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan inaugurated the event, while VSO Bangladesh Country Director Khabirul Haque Kamal, Director (Training) of the Directorate of Youth Development Manikhar Rahman, and Director of the NGO Affairs Bureau Moinul Islam addressed it as special guests.

Kamrul Hasan said, "Different types of disasters occur in the country at different times. And the volunteers always stand by the disaster-hit people. If the volunteers did not work with dedication, we would not have been successful."

At the moment, there are 7.7 million volunteers in different sectors, and the government provides them with various types of training, he added.

 Mentioning that the government cannot deal with disasters alone, he said, "The leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement worked relentlessly, risking their lives during the last flood. We have always been working united during each disaster".
 
At the event, 21 volunteers were honored for their volunteer work.
 
National Youth Forum President Dr. Arman Hossain, Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies Director Mohammad Moniruzzaman Khan, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition Country Director Dr. Rudaba Khandaker, British Council Country Director Stephen Roland Forbes, UNFPA Country Representative Masaki Watabe, and First Secretary of the Swedish Embassy Nyoka Martinez Backstrom also addressed the event.