Speakers in a function here said country’s development programs would be more sustainable if disaster risks are reduced anyhow.

“Geographically the district is located in disaster prone areas. That is why, the district experiences disaster like flood and river erosion every year creating untold sufferings and damaging assets and properties of the people. If the people of disaster prone areas are made aware on disaster preparedness, the risks would be reduced significantly resulting, development programs of the country will be more sustainable, they also said.

They came up with the comments while they were addressing a concluding ceremony of a daylong fair on disaster risk reduction held on the premises of Independence Square of the town here on Wednesday afternoon.

District administration arranged the fair in cooperation with CARE Bangladesh and SKS Foundation. District relief and rehabilitation officer(DRRO) Md. Shafiqul Islam presided over the ceremony.

Additional deputy commissioner ADC(General) DewanMoudud Ahmed addressed the function as the chief guest and assistant commissioner and executive magistrate Sabbir Ahmed, program coordinator of CARE Bangladesh Moynuddin Ahmed, chairman of Mollarchar union parishadSaiduzzaman and deputy director of SKS Foundation KhandakerZahidSarwar spoke at the function as the special guest.

The speakers in their speeches underscored the need for conducting awareness activity as a part of early preparedness program to reduce their sufferings caused by emergencies.

They also suggested the people of disaster prone areas to choose safer places and take shelter there before coming disaster to avoid the loss.

DRRO Shafiqul said the objective of the fair was to create awareness about disasters of the sothat the loss of lives and properties are reduced

Through the fair, a bridge would also be created between the service providers and the service recipients, the DRRO added.

A last, the prizes were also distributed to the best stall owners, and the winners who took part in the cultural competition.

In the fair, a number of government offices including Fire Service and Civil Defense station, department of public health, Civil surgeon office, scouts and rovers set up their stalls and briefed the visitors about their doings during the disaster and its post period.