Campus Report :
Thousands of children across Bangladesh were taking part in a nationwide earthquake drills scheduled to take place between 16-21 September, prior to the International Day for Disaster Reduction (13 October).
2600 schools are conducting the drills under the joint initiative ofComprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP), Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief and Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education,in order to make schools safe from disasters particularly earthquake.
“We have organized this drill not only for the students but also for the teachers, to ensure we are well prepared in case a major earthquake occurs,” said Shahrin Khan Rupa, Headmistress of Tejgaon Government High School.
The drills are also to prepare the students to act as volunteer first responders, to help others in the event of an actual earthquake. They are also trained by the Red Crescent. Hossain Bin Shahid, is one such volunteer who is also a student of Tejgaon Government High School. “We volunteer so that we can help our school, family and nation,” said Hossain while attending the drill.
Just before the International Day for Disaster Reduction, happening on 13 October, drills are organizedfor both primary and secondary schools – aiming to better prepare students in the event of a real disaster.
“If anything should actually happen these students know what to do”Sister Rani Catherine Gomes, Headmistress of Holy Cross Girls School and College said, during a drill organized by the institution on 16 September.
Of the schools carrying out the drills, 500 are in the capital, Dhaka, which is the most vulnerable earthquake. Students can be the agents of change for their family and society in regards to raising awareness of earthquake.
Almost 1,200 of Dhaka’s 1100 schools are highly vulnerable to moderate earthquake. Schools in cities like Chittagong and Sylhet and in the north are also vulnerable, according to a CDMP Earthquake Vulnerability Study.
Thousands of children across Bangladesh were taking part in a nationwide earthquake drills scheduled to take place between 16-21 September, prior to the International Day for Disaster Reduction (13 October).
2600 schools are conducting the drills under the joint initiative ofComprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP), Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief and Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education,in order to make schools safe from disasters particularly earthquake.
“We have organized this drill not only for the students but also for the teachers, to ensure we are well prepared in case a major earthquake occurs,” said Shahrin Khan Rupa, Headmistress of Tejgaon Government High School.
The drills are also to prepare the students to act as volunteer first responders, to help others in the event of an actual earthquake. They are also trained by the Red Crescent. Hossain Bin Shahid, is one such volunteer who is also a student of Tejgaon Government High School. “We volunteer so that we can help our school, family and nation,” said Hossain while attending the drill.
Just before the International Day for Disaster Reduction, happening on 13 October, drills are organizedfor both primary and secondary schools – aiming to better prepare students in the event of a real disaster.
“If anything should actually happen these students know what to do”Sister Rani Catherine Gomes, Headmistress of Holy Cross Girls School and College said, during a drill organized by the institution on 16 September.
Of the schools carrying out the drills, 500 are in the capital, Dhaka, which is the most vulnerable earthquake. Students can be the agents of change for their family and society in regards to raising awareness of earthquake.
Almost 1,200 of Dhaka’s 1100 schools are highly vulnerable to moderate earthquake. Schools in cities like Chittagong and Sylhet and in the north are also vulnerable, according to a CDMP Earthquake Vulnerability Study.
