Bashundhara Shuvosangho members distributed earthquake awareness leaflets in front of the Heed International School near Jagannath University (JnU) at Sadarghat area of the capital on Tuesday.
The leaflets were chiefly targeted at school children. Guardians and other passers-by were also targeted in the awareness campaign conducted by Bashundhara Shuvosangho’s JnU branch.
The campaign was held in the wake of the four earthquakes that took place over the course of only two days last weekend. The first strike was considered the worst in decades, leaving the country shocked.
The participating students said that such initiatives help boost their confidence. Student Rafi Ahmed said, “I didn’t have a clear idea about what to do during an earthquake. Today’s leaflet and discussion will be very useful. Now at least I know where to stand and how to keep myself safe.”
Taking part in the programme, Emdad Hossain, a student of the Department of Sociology, said, “The recent earthquakes have made us realize how vulnerable the buildings on our campus and in Old Dhaka are. We have no formal training on how to move to a safe place during an earthquake. The government and relevant authorities should regularly conduct awareness activities.”
Another student from the JnU Department of Anthropology, Rinku, said, “Our goal is to make students of all ages—including children—aware. We have campaigned mostly among parents, who can then become aware themselves and help raise awareness among others.”
Regarding the initiative, Md Junayed Sheikh, president of the Jagannath University branch of Shuvosangho, said, “We want all children to remain safe. Our main goal is to teach how to stay safe during an earthquake without panicking. Bashundhara Shuvosangho regularly organizes such programmes to raise awareness among the general public and children about contemporary issues. This effort of Bashundhara Shuvosangho will continue in the future as well.”
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
