GAIBANDHA, March 10, 2024 (BSS) - National Disaster Preparedness Day-2024 was observed in the district as elsewhere in the country today with a call to expedite disaster preparedness programmes among the people to reduce the loss of lives and properties.

This year’s theme of the day was “Durjog Prostuti te Lorbo, Smart Sonar Bangla Gorbo”.

Marking the day, the district administration in association with non-government organizations chalked out various programmes.

In the morning around 10 am, a big rally was brought out from the campus of Gaibandha Government High School of the town and ended on the ground of Islamia High School here.

Then a discussion meeting was also held with NDC (Nezarat deputy collector) MD. Jewel Miah in the chair. Additional deputy commissioner (Development and Human Resources Management) Sushanta Kumar Mahato addressed it as the chief guest.

Deputy assistant director of Fire Service and Civil Defense Station Md. Zakir Hossain, Sadar upazila project implementation officer Md. Reaz, assistant coordinator of SKS Foundation Md. Ashraful Alam addressed the function, among others.

The speakers said flood, river erosion, cold wave and drought are the main natural calamities of the district and every year the disasters visited the district creating untold sufferings of the affected people.

In recent years, earthquake, one of the major hazards, had also been newly added to the fleet of the disaster, making the people of the northern region of the country more worried, they also said.

If the people of disaster-prone areas take early preparedness activities, the loss of lives and properties would reduce undoubtedly during any disaster period, they added.

ADC Sushanta Kumar Mahato emphasized for disseminating education, training and knowledge among the rural people, especially living in the disaster-prone areas, through GO-NGO coordinated efforts to reduce disaster-losses and subsequent efficient management systems.

The ADC also underscored the need for creating much awareness among the affected people of the district about disaster and its bad effect and enhancing the people’s resilience capacity to face any catastrophe successfully.