19 th August, Dhaka- With approximately 33% of the population being youths (age 5- 18), the MET Club was nationally launched at Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Center (BCFCC), Dhaka on 19 th August to accelerate the potential of child and youth-led risk management models in Bangladesh.
Organized by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES), Save the Children, Jago Nari, SKS Foundation, and Young Power in Social Action (YPSA), the event advocated for integrating the MET Club Model into national disaster risk reduction efforts. The event brought MET Club members from Dhaka and Chattogram, government representatives, development and humanitarian organizations, and community stakeholders together.
The child and youth-centered event was inaugurated with an exhibition on weather tools created by children, followed by a theatre performance, ‘The Story of Pahartoli Village’. The drama focused on depicting the impact of the MET Club in communities, including community awareness, life before and after the disaster, and how the MET Club members are establishing preparedness and early warning in their communities. It also featured a weather bulletin showcase, group collaboration, panel discussion, a presentation on current weather forecasting methods from BMD, and a discussion on taking the Met Club forward. Honourable Secretary of Defence Ministry, Md. Ashraf Uddin attended this launching event as the Chief Guest.
Special guests were Sheikh Muhammad Touhidul Islam, CEO, Chittagong City Corporation (CCC); Md. Momenul Islam, Director, Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD); Nahid sultana Mallik, Joint secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief; Raihanul Haque Khan, Country Program Lead, RIMES; Md.Sazzad Hossain, Superintending Engineer (Civil), Hydroinformatics & Flood Forecasting Circle; Rahamat Ullah, Deputy Country Director, Save the Children Bangladesh; Mostak Hussain, Director-Humanitarian, Save the Children Bangladesh; Dr. Md. Arifur Rahman, Chief Executive, Young Power in Social Action (YPSA); Hosne Ara Hasi, Executive Director, JAGONARI; Md. Abu Said, Head of SKS Enterprise, SKS Foundation The event ultimately sought to highlight child-led early warning and weather monitoring, motivating national expansion of the MET Clubs, strengthening partnerships to foster innovation in disaster risk management, encouraging best practices led by children, and recognizing them as active change agents. Quotes from designated guests:
1. Md. Ashraf Uddin, Secretary, Ministry of Defence: “I am truly delighted to be present at the inauguration of the MET Club. Through activities in Chattogram, Patuakhali, and Gaibandha, children have gained remarkable skills in delivering early disaster warnings to their families and communities. The strategy of disseminating early warnings has proven highly effective, resulting in a significant reduction in disaster-related fatalities. By engaging in the MET Club, children are developing leadership skills and I firmly believe they will grow up to be more empathetic and humanitarian individuals. I would like to urge all those involved in this initiative to continue efforts in addressing human-induced disasters. With this, I call for expanding the activities of MET Club across the entire country.”
2. Md. Momenul Islam, Director, Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD): “Due to its geographical location, Bangladesh remains highly vulnerable to disasters. Through today’s launching of the MET Club and this innovative initiative, our aim is to deliver early warning messages to people at the most marginal levels across the country. We also aspire to enrich the knowledge and experience of every child involved in the MET Club.”
3. Nahid sultana Mallik, Joint secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief: “Early warning systems have played a crucial role in Bangladesh’s progress in disaster management. These achievements have been made possible through government and non-government initiatives, along with coordinated efforts by local administration. There is also immense potential among the children of Bangladesh. What is needed is adequate research and innovation, something the MET Club has already demonstrated. At the same time, we must also focus on psychosocial counseling and address reproductive health challenges faced by adolescent girls and women during disasters. I call for scaling up innovative initiatives like the MET Club at the institutional level. It is my aspiration to see MET Clubs established in every school across Bangladesh.”