A pictorial book for childrenon on disaster preparedness and disaster response_English_Dec2014

This pictorial book for children has been produced as an integral part of the “Capacity Strengthening on Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation” project with the financial assistance from Cordaid, The Netherlands.

Published in December 2014

Published by Concern Universal-Bangladesh

Copyright © Concern Universal-Bangladesh

Funded by Cordaid, The Netherlands

Edited by Organizational Development & Education Unit, Concern Universal Bangladesh

Image Contribution: Ashroy Foundation NARRI Consortium

For more information, please contact: Abdul Hamid Head-Organizational Development and Education Concern Universal Bangladesh House - 8 (4th & 5th floor), Road - 28, Block –K, Banani, Dhaka-1213, Bangladesh. Tel: +88-02-8855296, Ext-117, Fax: +88-02-9883267 www.concern-universal.org.bd

Bangladesh is beautiful Land of Rivers. There are around 700 rivers in this country.

In our country, we have a total of six seasons. But among those we recognize three-

Rains, Summer and winter.

And we recognize cyclone and flood. Though the hot, cold, rains are common phenomenon

of nature, cyclones-floods are natural disasters.

Our country is a disaster prone and often the disasters are severe. People-animals all lives get

affected by disasters. Houses, trees, crops get collapsed and even people die during a disaster.

Over rain and drought are signals to disaster.

We see our elders to think of the disasters. They say that we, the humans, are mostly

responsible for the disaster.

We, cut our trees, emit carbon from motor vehicles-factories and by doing these acts we

are exploiting and destroying the natural environment of Mother Earth.

We are increasing the world temperature. And our climate is changing for global warming.

We do not feel good when we get sick and our temperature gets high. The Earth gets sick

too if the temperature increases and then the disasters occur in different ways.

We have to learn what we can do before-during and after disaster for a better and safe

living. All adults and children should work together for that.

We can be informed about the news of coming disaster from radio, TV and newspaper. We

should also inform others about the news so that all can take preparations and stay alert.

If we can repair and raise our house, tube-well and latrine, the risk will be reduced. We help

our elders to make all possible preparations like these works.

We also help our neighbors in preparing for disaster.

We tie up the houses with stick if it is necessary.

We raise our roads and dams together before the rainy season

so that flood cannot affect much.

We keep dry foods and necessary stuffs near our hands before disaster.

We start to save an emergency fund so that we can use the money in case of any disaster.

We take shelter in the safest place in the area if we get any signals of flood or cyclone.

Our parents take their important papers while going to shelter center.

If there is flood to happen, we make stuff so that we can float.

We help each other after a disaster by providing first aid, saline or any other things needed.

We help elders to find out the amount of damages by providing information.

We help our parents and neighbors to rebuild their houses.

Besides rebuilding the houses we start to plant new trees and take care of those

We repair and clean our school after disaster.

We participate in the relief and reconstruction work.

We learn about our task and take preparations while the elders doing risk assessment for

any further disaster.

We also learn about earthquake besides learning cyclone and flood.

We practice the emergency actions we take during earthquakes at school.

We can take shelter under any hard table or at any corner of the room during an

earthquake.

We help the old and disable people to get out of houses and we switch off all electronics

connections.

If there is any fire from electric wire during earthquake we should use sand to extinguish.

We must call the fire service if necessary.

We take the injured to the nearest hospital or clinic for treatment.

The most important thing of disaster preparedness is to learn about cause and prevention

of disaster. Our school teacher gives lessons to us and our parents in the disaster.

We know that global warming is the main cause for disaster। So, we plant as many trees as

possible. Trees reduce Earth’s temperature, which reduces the frequency of disaster.

Besides, we can plant green vegetable in the unused land around our houses.

We can use compost or natural fertilizer in cultivation and we can increase our livestock for

that.

We can depend on the solar energy for reducing environmental pollution. Environment

friendly cooking stoves are also useful to reduce pollution and deforestation.

We can increase the number of ponds and canals to be less affected

in case of floods and drought.

We will not do anything hazardous for the environment. We will not be scared of flood and

cyclone. We shall overcome disaster with our parents.

We will make our world safe for us.