‘Teach kids to handle disaster’

PENAGA: People, especially children, should be exposed to disaster awareness to better prepare them to face any challenges.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said early education and exposure to disaster awareness by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) was useful for children.

“The programme, which targets preschool children, is able to prepare them to face disasters.

“Previously, we considered Malaysia a country safe from disasters. In fact, we never heard of tsunami before the Dec 26, 2004, deadly incident.

“It is based on this factor that no preparations were made by the locals,” she said at the handing over of 18 units of stalls under the 2004 tsunami relocation programme at Taman Desa in Kuala Muda here yesterday.

The programme is an initiative by Tabung Kumpulan Wang Amanah Bantuan Bencana Negara and Syarikat Perumahan Negara Bhd.

Dr Wan Azizah said although the disaster was a rare occurrence, simulation exercises should be carried out periodically among the people, particularly children.

“Today’s disaster risk reduction programme is an integrated programme at all levels involving the government, private and locals.

“It is aimed at increasing the understanding and the capability of the local leaders in the management and preparation when facing disasters,” she added.