The MET Club, a child and youth-led initiative for disaster risk management, was nationally launched on Tuesday at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center (BCFCC) in Dhaka.
Organised 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 launch aimed to accelerate the role of children and youths in risk reduction efforts across Bangladesh. The programme also advocated for integrating the MET Club model into national disaster management strategies.
The event was attended by MET Club members from Dhaka and Chattogram, alongside government officials, development partners, humanitarian organisations, and community stakeholders.
It began with an exhibition on weather tools created by children, followed by a theatre performance titled “The Story of Pahartoli Village” depicting how MET Club activities enhance disaster awareness and community preparedness.
Other segments included a weather bulletin showcase, group collaboration, a presentation on forecasting methods by BMD, and a panel discussion on the future expansion of the club.
Defence Secretary Md Ashraf Uddin attended as the chief guest. Special guests included Sheikh Muhammad Touhidul Islam, CEO of Chattogram City Corporation (CCC); Md Momenul Islam, Director of BMD; Nahid Sultana Mallik, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief; Raihanul Haque Khan, Country Programme Lead at RIMES; Rahamat Ullah, Deputy Country Director of Save the Children Bangladesh; Mostak Hussain, Director-Humanitarian of Save the Children Bangladesh; Dr Md Arifur Rahman, Chief Executive of YPSA; Hosne Ara Hasi, Executive Director of Jagonari; and Md Abu Said, Head of SKS Enterprise, SKS Foundation.
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In his speech, Defence Secretary Ashraf Uddin praised the initiative, noting that children in Chattogram, Patuakhali, and Gaibandha have already shown remarkable skills in delivering early disaster warnings to their families and communities.
"This strategy 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 will grow up to be more empathetic and humanitarian individuals; and I call for expanding the activities of the MET Club across the entire country,” he said.
BMD Director Md Momenul Islam highlighted Bangladesh’s vulnerability to natural disasters, stressing the importance of child-centred initiatives. “Through today’s launch, our aim is to deliver early warning messages to people at the most marginal levels and to enrich the knowledge and experience of every child involved in the MET Club,” he said.
Nahid Sultana Mallik, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, emphasised the role of early warning systems in reducing disaster risks.
“There is immense potential among the children of Bangladesh. What is needed is adequate research and innovation, something the MET Club has already demonstrated. I call for scaling up such initiatives at the institutional level, with the aspiration of establishing MET Clubs in every school across Bangladesh,” she said.
The launch ultimately highlighted the potential of child and youth-led disaster preparedness, encouraging innovation in risk management and recognising children as active change agents in building resilience.