Resilient communities: My village is ready
“I had no idea how to prepare for a disaster. This activity helped me understand about warning systems, signals and how to survive during a disaster. It is very useful for us,” says Mitu, 16, a college student.
Surrounded by many tributaries and canals Bhandaria, where Mitu lives, is prone to cyclone, tornado, sudden flash flood and high tidal surge. It is exposed to climate hazards that often cause massive loss to crops, livestock and properties. Its distance from the division and district headquarters, along with poor infrastructure and communication facilities, create immense challenges in providing early warning information for cyclone.
Bhandaria is one of the upazilla of Bangladesh where World Vision established its disaster mitigation program. As a part of awareness and capacity building initiatives, a cyclone simulation exercise was arranged last July 2012 at Majida BegumWomenDegreeCollege, Sadar Union. With the technical support from Bhandaria ADP of World Vision Bangladesh, local community successfully participated in the exercise that increased awareness about early warning system and their role in reducing disaster risks, with the aim of reducing vulnerability during a cyclone.
Community people, including women and children, students, teachers, government officials, cultural groups, local elites and fire brigade officials participated. Everyone experienced the overall preparedness process using existing tools and practices, community based warning dissemination system, evacuation and survival. It challenged officials on the need to strengthen early warning systems and enhance the local disaster management capacity and coordination facilities.
“Cyclone is a natural occurrence. It happens almost every year in this area. Hopefully we can prepare our community people during disaster using what we learned from this simulation,” said Sarif Abdul Kaiyum, the principal of Majida BegumWomenDegreeCollege.
Highlighting the adverse impacts of climate changes on human and resources, local administrator (UNO) Kazi Mahbubur Rashid said, “The people here have been enduring natural disasters for ages. This kind of exercise is very useful to educate people about disaster preparedness.”
Aonamika Sikdar, 26, a member of Union Disaster Management Committee and Bitabaria Union Council added, “We have participated in several disaster preparedness activities. Now everyone from my village including women and children know how to save their lives and livelihoods during a disaster. This will significantly change our lives for the better. My village is ready.”
Natural disasters in Bangladesh are inevitable. Across Bangladesh, it is the most marginalized including women and girls who suffer the greatest impact of disaster. As building the capacity and resilience of the community is the one of the most important factors in disaster risk reduction, World Vision continue its works at community level.
Bangladesh is one of the ten countries most at risk in Maplecroft’s Natural Hazards Relative Economic Exposure Index. Building resilience at every level – by empowering individuals and supporting communities – will lead to better and more equitable and sustainable development results. This year on October 13th, all ADPs and people will come together to mark the International Day for Disaster Reduction with celebration to promote active participation of women and children in disaster risk reduction.
By Md. Abdullah-Al-Mamun Patwary