Sundarganj: A total of 3,439 students and 115 teachers from 10 high schools in the flood-prone areas of Sundarganj upazila have been trained under a disaster risk reduction (DRR) project. The initiative was designed to equip participants with the necessary skills to handle emergencies effectively.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the training initiative was organized by SKS Foundation, a Gaibandha-based non-government development organization. This was part of the School Led Community Resilience to Disaster and Climate Risks (SLCRDCR) project, which received funding from Muslim Aid UK, Bangladesh Country Office. The project was implemented across several unions during the 2023-24 fiscal year.
Project Manager Afruja Bulbul highlighted that the training’s primary objective was to enhance awareness among students, teachers, and local communities about minimizing loss of lives and property during emergencies. She also mentioned that 100 students were acknowledged as DRR Champions for their exceptional proficiency in understanding and managing emergency situations.
In addition to the training, infrastructure development work was undertaken in the schools to ensure that classrooms provided a safer learning environment. Nurul Haque Sarker, the head teacher of Kasimbazar High School, one of the participating institutions, shared that most students now possess a clearer understanding of managing disasters during emergencies.
Residents in the surrounding community also benefited by learning strategies to reduce risks and safeguard lives and properties.