LALITPUR, JANUARY 10

A community-based awareness program focused on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) was organised by the students of Bhassara Secondary School at Laitpur Metropolitan City Ward -19.

The event aimed to raise awareness about the risks associated with different disasters.

The programme was attended by Deputy Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City Manjali Shakya Bajracharya, Executive Director of the Informal Sector Service Center (INSEC) Bijay Raj Gautam and a representative from Japan International Cooperation Agency, among other stakeholders. More than 200 local residents participated in the event, engaging in numerous disaster preparedness-related activities.

Having received training from their teachers through a program supported by Plus Arts Kobe, a Japan-based NPO, and implemented by INSEC in Nepal with funding from JICA, the students established a DRR Club at their school. This club aims to foster a culture of disaster preparedness among youth, enabling students to share the knowledge they acquired with their peers and the local community.

During the event, members of the DRR Club set up interactive stalls that engaged community members through games and demonstrations. These stalls covered essential topics, including earthquake preparedness, fire safety, landslide awareness, flood response, disease prevention (including dengue), and emergency preparedness essentials like packing an emergency bag.

Deputy Mayor Shakya praised the students and the community's proactive efforts in advancing disaster risk reduction initiatives.

Mr. Bijay Raj Gautam echoed this sentiment, highlighting the significance of educating younger generations. He stated, 'These students are not just future leaders but also active participants in making our communities safer today.

Principal of Bhassara School, Abha Awale, mentioned that they have regularly conducted school community disaster risk reduction awareness programs and have localized Japanese approaches to disaster risk reduction.