A team of Japanese experts on Saturday conducted an earthquake evacuation drill in Motijheel colony in the city to give a first hand idea to the colony inhabitants that how community people should react during a massive tremor.
The experts provided educational training with videos on major earthquakes, hit in Japan and China, and a mobile vibration education module named BURURU that shows differences of two buildings with and without resistant to shake.
Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defense Department provided support to the Japanese experts in conducting the evacuation drill.
The drill titled CBDM (Community Based Disaster Management) was conducted under CNCRP project (Capacity Development of Natural Disaster Resistant techniques of Construction and Retrofitting for Public Buildings), implemented by Public Works Department (PWD) with technical support of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
CNCRP Project Manager and Superintending Engineer of PWD Md. Abdul Malek Sikder said creating community awareness on earthquake is an integral part of earthquake preparedness. Such kind of training will help the community to take proper action during any intensified earthquake, he said.
Member of expert team Suzuki said earthquake evacuation drill among the community is a common practice in Japan as it is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world.
“Like Japan, we would like to introduce such kind of drill in Dhaka, so that the city dwellers would be able to get prepare them against earthquake,” he said.
Bangladesh is located on some active faults, and every 100-150 years of its history, the country has been affected by major Earthquakes.
JICA communication specialist Eriko Kobayashi stressed the need for preparedness among people considering Bangladeshi histories of earthquakes and vulnerability of Dhaka’s dwelling condition.
“More than 100 years have past since a heavy earthquake hit Bangladesh (Great Assam earthquake, 1897). What we did today may be small but we sincerely hope that awareness and preparedness will spread among Bangladeshi people, and we are here to continue sharing our own experiences,” she said.
Before holding the evacuation drill, the expert team conducted a baseline survey among the resident of Motijheel colony to evaluate their existing awareness level on earthquake that will be studied for future activities.
The JICA expert team will conduct a series of such trainings in other colonies in the city, says a press release. – Staf Reporter
