YPSA, Save the Children unite to strengthen landslide warning system in Ctg

Young Power in Social Action-YPSA and Save the Children have united to strengthen the early landslide warning system in Chattogram, as climate change has increased the unpredictability of seasonal cycles, posing significant challenges to landslide prevention and disaster management.

In a meeting held on Sunday morning at the Chattogram City Corporation (CCC), officials and experts discussed the complexities of managing landslide risks, particularly in vulnerable areas. 

The disaster preparedness project titled "Anticipatory Actions for Landslides Causing Displacement of the Communities of Chattogram District of Bangladesh", supported by the European Union, and implemented by Save the Children and YPSA, aims to address gaps in the early warning system, enhance preparedness, and streamline response efforts, according to a press release.

Chattogram Divisional Commissioner and CCC Administrator Md Tofael Islam highlighted that preventing landslides has become increasingly difficult due to several factors, including illegal occupation of land and the challenge of relocating large groups of people to safer areas. 

He said, "Public perception of early warnings tends to be based on visible conditions, which can lead to warnings being overlooked." 

He further emphasised the need for cooperation between NGOs, local authorities, and other organisations to make the administration's disaster management initiatives effective.

Several officials, including YPSA's Director of Social Development, Nasim Banu, who opened the session with a welcome address, and Fatema Mehrunnesa, Manager at Save the Children, who provided a comprehensive overview of the project were present in the meeting. 

Other attendees included Mohammad Nazrul Islam, Chief Revenue Officer of CCC, Selina Akhter, Deputy Director of the Department of Environment in Chattogram, as well as experts from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, Fire Service and Civil Defense, and the University of Chattogram.

The project is set to run from July 2024 to February 2026, focusing on three landslide-prone wards in Chattogram: Lalkhan Bazar (Ward 14), North Pahartali (Ward 9), and West Sholashar (Ward 7), along with the Sadhanpur and Pukuria unions in Banskhali Upazila.

The initiative will work to strengthen early warning systems for landslides by ensuring timely communication to minimise the impact of such disasters. It will identify existing gaps, propose solutions, and improve coordination among stakeholders. 

The project will also provide disaster management training to local communities, volunteers, and youth groups, while raising awareness through voice messages and weather alerts.

Further support will be provided at the community level, including the distribution of hygiene kits, conditional and unconditional cash support, and installation of rain gauges and soil moisture monitoring devices to improve disaster preparedness.

In addition to these measures, research work, risk assessments, and advocacy efforts at both local and national levels will be carried out to enhance the overall disaster response framework.

The collaboration between YPSA and Save the Children is expected to play a crucial role in protecting vulnerable communities and improving resilience in the face of increasing climate-related risks in Chattogram.