Bangladesh has asked France to support efforts to strengthen the country’s fire service and civil defence system, following concerns over earthquake preparedness and rising fire incidents in major cities.
The request was made during a meeting between Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and French Ambassador Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet at the Ministry of Home Affairs on Sunday.
According to officials, discussions covered a broad range of issues, including fire service capacity, disaster-response readiness, national election preparations, misinformation on social media, and security in diplomatic zones.
Strengthening fire and rescue services
The Adviser sought French cooperation in developing skilled personnel, supplying advanced fire-safety equipment, and providing modern tools for earthquake rescue operations. He also requested technical support to improve fire-accident investigation capacity.
Responding to a query about last week’s earthquake in Dhaka, Jahangir said the government was working to strengthen disaster-management mechanisms by enforcing building codes, expanding open spaces, and raising public awareness.
The French Ambassador said Paris was willing to explore further cooperation and advised sending a formal proposal through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Focus on earthquake preparedness
In a separate statement, the French embassy said both sides exchanged views on disaster preparedness and post-earthquake response. The meeting came amid heightened public concern after a moderate quake shook the capital.
The envoy also highlighted the growing threat of disinformation, noting that France and Europe had faced similar challenges, particularly from foreign actors. He praised recent French-supported training programmes for Bangladeshi officers in forensic science and investigation, describing them as “successful” and a basis for deeper collaboration.
Election security discussed
They also discussed the preparations for the upcoming national elections. The Adviser said law-enforcement agencies had completed election-related training and that there was “no security risk ahead of the polls”.
“We have made all kinds of preparations for free, fair, impartial and participatory elections,” he said.
The Ambassador said the European Union may send election observers if it receives a formal request from the Election Commission.
Misinformation concerns
Addressing the spread of misinformation online, the Adviser said the government was taking coordinated steps to counter rumours and false content.
“Fascists’ friends are spreading disinformation at home and abroad,” he said, adding that several ministries were working jointly to address the issue.
Security for diplomatic missions
The Adviser reassured the French Ambassador about the increased security in Dhaka's diplomatic zone. He said all embassies, including France’s, were receiving equal levels of protection.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the French Embassy were present at the meeting.
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