On the occasion, a total of 16 Multi-Purpose Cyclone Shelters (MPCS) were handed over to school administrations in the said upazilas after carrying out refurbishment work as part of implementing the Promoting Resilience to Risks of Natural Hazards (PRERONA) project funded by USAID, said a press release.

Cox’s Bazar-2 parliamentarian Ashek Ullah Rafiq was present as chief guest at the handover ceremony following a colourful rally at Notun Bazar Government Primary School in Moheshkhali.

“Previous cyclones that occurred in the region still haunted local elderly people…Coastal region is vulnerable while Moheshkhali is among most vulnerable considering geographical location,” said Ashek Ullah Rafiq while attending a discussion.

He attended a ceremony where a refurbished Cyclone Centre Shelter was handed over to local education administration while Moheshkhali Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Jahirul Islam presided over the meeting.

In a separate program, refurbished schools were handed over to school authorities in a program attended by government officials and members of school management committee at the office of Cox’s Bazar Sadar UNO in Cox’s Bazar.

Cox’s Bazar Sadar UNO Mahmud Ullah Maruf was present as chief guest on the occasion and recommended proper maintenance of the refurbished primary school which will serve the purpose of cyclone centre at the time of disaster.

In Cox’s Bazar, there are more than 200 government designated MPCS across the Ramu, Maheskhali and Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila.

The PRERONA project is currently being implemented with a goal to ensure structural improvement of 96 MPCS.