The International Day for Disaster Reduction will be observed in the country on Sunday as elsewhere across the globe to raise awareness of how people are taking action to reduce their risk to disasters, reports UNB. The theme of this year’s day is ‘Living with Disability and Disasters’.
By resolution 44/236 (22 December 1989), the UN General Assembly designated the second Wednesday of October ‘International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction’.
By resolution 64/200 of December21, 2009, the General Assembly decided to designate October 13 as the date to commemorate the day and to change the day’s name to ‘International Day for Disaster Reduction’.
Disaster Management and Relief Ministry and various organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the day.
Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon have issued separate messages on the occasion.
In his message, the President said geographical location and natural periphery have identified Bangladesh as one of the most disaster-prone countries.
He expressed his belief that awareness will be increased among people about natural disaster through observance of the day.
The President also hoped that all will remain active to build a disaster-resilient society by involving persons with disabilities in the implementation of risk reduction and emergency preparedness programmes
In her message, the Prime Minister said the persons disabilities become the worst victims alongside women and children during any disaster; however, their participation in the process to devise and implement disaster management strategy is very limited.
She expressed the hope that the disaster preparedness activities will gain a momentum and the participation of persons with disabilities in the current activities will be further ensured through the observance of the day.
In his message, the UN Secretary General urged all to do everything possible to ensure that all persons with disabilities have the highest possible levels of safety and the greatest possible chance to contribute to the overall wellbeing of society. “Let us build an inclusive world where persons with disabilities can play an even greater role as resourceful agents of change.”
-With The News Today input
