A school-ground drill combined climate awareness, disaster preparedness and theatre to help coastal communities better understand heatwave-related health risks.
A preparedness drill highlighting how people in the disaster-prone coastal upazilas of Ashashuni and Shyamnagar can adapt to global warming and address growing health risks was held in Satkhira district on Thursday.
The exercise used a drama to portray how communities can cope with the impacts of climate change and rising temperatures.
Speaking as the chief guest at the integrated health-risk preparedness drill for heatwave conditions at the grounds of Ashashuni Government Secondary School at 2:30 pm on Thursday (August 20), Satkhira District Commissioner and District Magistrate Ms Kausar Aziz said people in the coastal areas must learn how to adapt to global warming and tackle the increasing health risks.
“If even five people become encouraged and aware through the drama in my presence, then my attendance will have been worthwhile. Despite having many engagements, I came to this event,” she said.
Addressing the students, the district commissioner said: “Dear students, take today’s drama not only as entertainment but also as an educational lesson. I hope the younger generation will become more capable of tackling disasters through research and by using scientific methods and modern technology.”
Referring to her previous attendance at a similar event in Pratapnagar, she expressed hope that such programmes would be held regularly to build lives and raise awareness aimed at addressing the impacts of climate change. She also wished the event overall success.
The drill was organised by the Upazila Disaster Management Committee and managed by the Uttaran Care Project. It was chaired by Ashashuni Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shyamananda Kundu.
The event was moderated by Project Implementation Officer (PIO) Amirul Islam. Special guests included District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Md Alauddin, Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Nitish Goldar, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Mithun Moitra, Ashashuni Government Secondary School Head Teacher Mazharul Islam and Uttaran Programme Manager Md Moniruzzaman Zomaddar.
Women’s Affairs Officer Saiful Islam, an agriculture extension officer, Youth Development Officer Sanjib Kumar Das and Public Health Engineering Officer Moniruzzaman were also present, along with officials from various government departments and local dignitaries.
The programme began with a climate change awareness drill and a discussion session. It concluded with a performance of “The Diary of the Last Harvest” by performers from the Sundarban Theatre Group.
