Environment and Disaster Management Program
Project Title:
Children Based Disaster Risk Reduction Initiative
Working Area:
District: Bagerhat, Upazila: Morrelgonj, Union- 5.
Funded By: SDC
Project Duration: May 2010.
Total Project Fund: 2676,700.00
Project Introduction:
Rupantar, a NGO, is working in the southwestern region of Bangladesh for quite sometimes working with various developmental issues that encompasses democracy and governance, human rights, women empowerment, disaster management, conservation of environment and many more. It is working in disaster mitigation and management in this coastal region. Rupantar has the belief and firm determination that if people's knowledge is not strengthened, their behaviour is not changed, their perception is not altered or lives are not saved, the programmes will fail. Every programme must be included with an in-built assessment mechanism that can be activated before a disaster. Programmes need to be undertaken to activate the process of people's participation especially the children and youth, in disaster risk reduction process. Child based initiative at the local level with support from the community assisted by the government and non-government agencies can effectively manage and mitigate any disaster and the consequent after effects of it.
The common hazards in Bangladesh are; Cyclone and Storm Surges, Tornadoes, Monsoon Flood, Flash Flood, River bank erosion and some minor hazard like epidemics, industrial accidents, environmental degradation, drought, water pollution, fire incidents and cold wave.
Disasters like cyclone, tidal surges or flood are common issues having various untoward and fatal results affecting life and natural resources. Especially the southwestern coastal belt of Bangladesh is prone to such natural disasters. The notorious Gorky of 12 November 1970 taking away lives of above 500,000 that initiated the activities of disaster management and mitigation in the country. Afterwards the disaster management during the war of liberation in 1971, Flood of 1988, Cyclone of 1991 and many other big natural attacks has been managed by the Go & NGOs and the process of Disaster Management and mitigation is getting strengthened gradually. As for example, the efforts undertaken by the GO & NGOs in combating the sufferings of millions of people during the flood in 1998 was quite successful in minimizing the hazards. The severe attack of Super Cyclone "Sidr" on November 15, 2007 hitting many areas of Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira, Pirojpur, Barishal, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barguna, Jhalokati, Madaripur, Faridpur, Shariatpur, Gopalganj and other districts. This took away approximately 10,000 lives of coastal people. However, the loss was quite low as compared to the severity and speed of the cyclone and concurrent tidal surge due to greater awareness and capacity of the people developed in course of time.
Project Goal:
Enhancing awareness and capacity of the children at the school level in undertaking effective disaster risk reduction initiatives.
Project Objective:
- To aware and capacitate the children, aging 6-18 years, of the community in undertaking Disaster Risk Reduction initiative with community support.
- To ensure support of the teachers, School Managing Committee and Parents towards protection of the children from Psycho-social hazards as Disaster Risk Reduction measures undertaken by the Children.
- To promote awareness for the community and the children on Disaster Risk Reduction through publication materials.
Project Challenge:
Sidr & Aila effected and also at this conservative area we are working with three Madrasa within 15.
Project Learning: N/A
Project Recommendation: N/A