164. Short Essay and Article on : Disaster Management for Kids

Write an article on “Disaster Management for Kids”

Ans. Disaster Management for Kids

—Kunal

Natural calamities generally bring death and disaster on a large scale. Tsunami, waves, earthquakes, floods, droughts and epidemics have taken a heavy toll of human lives, particularly the children. The children who survive these disasters suffer the most. They are condemned to lead a life full of misery, insecurity, want and fear. Only the concerted efforts of the Government and the agencies involved in disaster management can help them lead normal lives again.

The natural calamities have tragically affected the lives of about 15000 children in recent years in India. The Tsunami waves and earthquakes created havoc on a large scale. About 5430 children became homeless due to the Tsunami and 5438 were the victims of the earthquakes. Floods displaced in 2602 and droughts affected 2035 children. Epidemics affected 1313 children. Out of these figures, 1093 children live constantly in general fear; 110 children have withdrawn socially; 20 children have become deaf and 16 of them can’t speak any more. More than 450 children can’t sleep at night while 1164 can’t concentrate on anything. The tragedy is that 21 of them have become blind, 43 asthmatic and 276 are still in shock. 566 suffer from frequent headache and stomachache. About 850 children fear water and sound and 117 have refused to go to school.

Disaster management programmes have not proved up to the mark and up to the task. The Government and the concerned agencies should provide comprehensive aids and help to the survivors, particularly the children. They must provide nutritious food, clothes, shelters and medical aids to them. All efforts should be made to wipe out the scars left by these disasters.