Focus on capacity building
30 April 2013, 18:00 PM
UPDATED
30 April 2013, 22:19 PM
Md Moniruzzaman, PhD student, University of Birmingham, UK
Photo: Anisur Rahman
The nation is mourning the deaths in the Savar building collapse. We are really indebted to the people who are working for humanity. I want to focus on capacity building to lessen destruction at the time of any natural calamity.
Carrying out a rescue operation is a challenging task. Trained people can do this in a more efficient and safe way. People buried deep under the debris have to be rescued by the technical civil defense units. They should be guided by building technicians and engineers so that they can have easy access to the building.
Rescue operations should be done continuously, day and night. The electricity connection may be disrupted. Generators for electricity supply have to be in the rescue area. Gas lamps can be used for illuminating the affected area. It can also be temporarily flood-lit by car headlights. Moreover, food and oxygen supply have to be ensured for the survivors.
It is to be noted here that when a building collapses, beams and columns mostly obstruct people when they try to escape from the building. Hacksaws can be used to cut the beams and columns. A helicopter can locate many things from the top and thus can help the rescue operation in many ways. It can also keep the victims' hopes alive by letting them know that every effort is being taken to save them. It especially helps at night.
According to experts, Bangladesh is at great risk of earthquakes. Earthquakes may hit the country any time. As we do not have any control over nature, we need to take enough preparations to rescue people efficiently in case any natural disaster strikes.
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