Young climate activists discuss flash flood issue

Youth leaders and climate activists have joined a discussion on youth-led response to flash flood 2022.

On 28 July 2022, the programme was held in Youth Climate Café organised by AAB, said a press release.

"The lack of preparedness and coordination of the local administration and political leaders during the Sunamganj flash flood failed to engage the youth groups in the response," said Jaber Ubaid, founder, Bangladesh Youth Initiative.

Shamim Ahmed Mridha, founder, EcoNetwork said, "Unplanned urbanisation has worsened the disadvantages already posed due to our geographical location, which has resulted in flash flood. It is necessary that while addressing climate change, the youth groups also become vocal about this issue."

"Young women face a number of impediments during flood response," said Fahida Sultana, founder, Service for Human Being Organisation.

Mithun Das Kabbo, founder, Volunteer of Bangladesh, stressed the need for a database to keep track of the flood response. He said, "A central disaster management system or network can help the volunteers reach the people in crisis in time. Such pre-event preparatory measure will alleviate the survivors' sufferings to a great extent."

"Bangladesh, being one of the most climate vulnerable countries in the world, has many best practises and learnings," said Lamia Mohsin, consultant, Global Centre for Adaptation. "Including young people in these actions and policymaking will require them to attain necessary knowledge on the issue," she added.