GAIBANDHA, Sept 26: Speakers at a function here said country's development programmes to be more sustainable if disaster risks are reduced anyhow.
"Geographically, the district is located in disaster-prone areas. That is why, the district experiences disasters like flood and river erosion every year, which create untold sufferings to people and damaging assets and properties of the people. If the people of disaster-prone areas are made aware about disaster preparedness, the risks will be reduced significantly; development programmes of the country will be more sustainable, they said.
They came up with this remark while addressing a concluding function of a day-long fair on 'Disaster risk reduction'. It was held on the premises of Independence Square in the town on Wednesday afternoon.
District administration arranged the fair in cooperation with CARE Bangladesh and SKS Foundation.
District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO) Md Shafiqul Islam presided over the function.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC-General) Dewan Moudud Ahmed addressed the function as the chief guest.
Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Sabbir Ahmed, Programme Coordinator of CARE Bangladesh Moynuddin Ahmed, Chairman of Mollarchar Union Saiduzzaman and Deputy Director of SKS Foundation Khandaker Zahid Sarwar spoke as special guests.
Speakers underscored the need for conducting awareness activity as a part of early preparedness programme to reduce their sufferings.
They also suggested the people of disaster-prone areas to choose safer places and take shelter there before the coming of disaster to avoid the loss.
DRRO Shafiqul said, the objective of the fair was to create awareness about disasters so that the loss of lives and properties is less.
Through the fair, a bridge will also be created between the service providers and the service recipients, he added.
Over the function, prizes were distributed among best stall owners, and the winners who took part in the cultural competition.
