Community leaders, schools charged on disaster response programmes at IDDRR celebration in Ondo

Community leaders have been charged to establish collaboration with schools within their environment in order to develop disaster response programmes tailored to local needs by leveraging on their unique strengths and resources.

The Divisional Police Officer, Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, CSP Wole Ogodo, gave the charge during the 2024 United Nations International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR), organised by Uniquely Neutral Rescue Society, 234 Battalion Nigeria Contingent ‘28 Regiment Ondo State Command.

Ogodo noted that school can collaborate with communities to develop and implement disaster risk reduction programme, fostering a culture of safety and preparedness, ensuring that disaster education is inclusive and accessible to all students, including those with disabilities.

He stated that schools can provide training on emergency procedures, first aids and survival skills in order to empower students to act swiftly and effectively in the event of a disaster.

He explained that through leadership and advocacy, educated youths can become leaders and advocates (train trainer) of disaster risk reduction in their communities, promoting resilience and preparedness.

He called for safe learning environment, saying ensuring that schools are built to withstand natural disasters protect students and staff and will also reduce causalities and disruption to education.

The Deputy Rescue Lieutenant General (DRLG) of the Uniquely Neutral Rescue Society, 234 Battalion Nigeria Contingent ‘28 Regiment Ondo State Command, Olarenwaju Aladetan, said the anniversary is being held on October 13 every year across the world.

Aladetan said the annual celebration is to communicate to the people and communities around the world on how they can try to reduce their exposure to disasters and raise awareness about the importance of reining in the risk that they faced.

He said the choice of Ilaje Local Government Area to host this year’s celebration is due to the vulnerability of the local government which is prone to disaster risk, especially ocean surge in the area.

He said: “From Araromi to Abereke, Omogbchinwa and Ilu Ayo, Petemu, Gbabijo, Asisa and Ayetoro communities were badly hit by ocean surge, from there to Awoye, Messe to Oghoye communities, these are few communitics we can mention. Igbokoda here was not spared of flooding every year.

“This day is observed on October 13 to educate the people around the world on how they can lower the risk faced by the natural disaster and reduce the loss of money and human lives.

“Since disaster risks reduction (DRR) to core values of Uniquely Neutral Rescue society, our organisation have no choice other than to celebrate with the United Nations every year.

“To achieve the goal of Sendai in Japan framework of reducing global disaster risks and losses, the theme of the IDDRR 2024 is role of education in protecting and empowering youths for a disaster-free future.”

Commanding Officer, FOB Igbokoda, Lieutenant Commander Aliyu Saliu, said special attention should be paid to disaster education for vulnerable people

He maintained that disaster-vulnerable groups should be identified accordingly while special training should be adopted for the people in order to prevent or reduce the effects of disasters.

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