Photo: BSS

GAIBANDHA, April 29, 2025 (BSS) - A total of 713 students from five schools in disaster-prone areas of Sundarganj upazila received disaster-resilient materials, provided by the Gaibandha-based NGO, SKS Foundation.

The distribution ceremony was held Monday morning on the premises of Belka MC High School in Belka union.

The initiative was a part of the School Led Community Resilience Disaster and Climate Risks (SLCR DCR) Project, funded by Muslim Aid UK Bangladesh Country Office and implemented by SKS Foundation.

Md. Masudur Rahman, Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate attended the event as the chief guest Biswas while Upazila Secondary Education Officer Md. Jahedul Islam spoke at the ceremony as the special guest.

Speaking at the event, the chief guest expressed gratitude to SKS Foundation and its partners for supporting students with essential materials to help continue their education during natural disasters like floods and heavy rainfall.

Project manager Afroza Bulbul explained that many schools in six unions - Tarapur, Belka, Horipur, Chandipur, Sreepur, and Kapasia are vulnerable to natural disasters, particularly due to the proximity of the Teesta River. Frequent flooding forces schools to close, disrupting students' academic progress.

To mitigate this, the SKS Foundation is working to make five schools in these unions more disaster-resilient through infrastructure renovations and the provision of emergency educational support, she said.

"All 713 students from the selected schools have received these disaster-tolerant materials, ensuring they can continue their education with fewer disruptions during emergencies," she added.

The event was also addressed by prominent social workers Prof Mazedul Islam, Mahmudul Islam Pramanik and project manager Afroza Bulbul. The head teacher of Belka MC High School, Ahsan Habib Khokon, presided over the ceremony.

All beneficiary students, their guardians, teachers, invited persons, local dignitaries and journalists were present on the occasion.