The social action arm of the Catholic Church in Bangladesh marked the observance of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction with a call to combat inequality.
This year’s theme focused on “Fighting Inequality for a Resilient Future” which explored the reciprocal relationship between disasters and inequality.
The primary goal of disaster risk reduction is to prevent new disasters, reduce existing disaster risks, and manage residual risk, all of which contribute to strengthening resilience and achieving sustainable development.
A Caritas Bangladesh staff member stated, “Disasters can affect anyone, and it’s a public concern for all of us. That’s why we need to share information to identify and understand the risks, the impacts they generate, and how to prevent them.”
Research indicates that nearly 20 natural disasters occur every day in the world, affecting 218 million people and claiming 68,000 lives each year. While flooding, storms, earthquakes, wildfires, and tornadoes often dominate headlines, they are just a few of the many types of disasters.
Participant Md. Ali remarked, “This is an awareness community-based mental health and psychosocial support program. After participating in this event, we are becoming more familiar with normal reactions to stressful events and actions for facing difficult situations.”
The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, observed each year on October 13, celebrates how people and communities worldwide are reducing their exposure to natural hazards.
To mark the day, a colorful rally was organized from Kholabari Madrasah to Nawthana, ending at the Madrasah premises.
On this occasion, an art competition, essay writing competition on disaster preparedness and mitigation, tree plantation, and discussions on the theme were organized.
A mock drill was also demonstrated by the Fire Service and Civil Defense on rescue and evacuation, which was both engaging and educational for the community participants.
A total of 450 participants, including the Fire Service team, WDMC/UDMC and Task Force Committee members, students, local leaders, UP members, school teachers, and community members, took part in the Day Observance ceremony.
