Rebuild Our Cyclone-Ready School

Introduction

Charlata, a remote island in Rangabali Upazila, Patuakhali District, Barisal Division of Bangladesh, is home to around 50,000 residents who face severe climate challenges and frequent natural disasters. The community, mostly extremely poor and landless, lacks basic needs such as electricity, healthcare, and education. OBHIZATRIK Foundation has been providing free education through a school that also serves as a temporary shelter during natural disasters. However, a recent climate disaster severely damaged the school, highlighting the urgent need for a more robust facility.

To address these challenges, we propose constructing a new, dual-purpose building on Charlata Island. This facility will serve as both a school for 200 underprivileged children and a cyclone shelter for up to 1,000 individuals during emergencies. The new building will span 6,910 square feet and include essential support to support the community during disasters. This project aims to enhance the quality of life for Charlata's residents by providing continuous education and a secure refuge during natural disasters.

Challenge

Charlata Island faces numerous challenges that make life difficult for its residents. The island is frequently hit by natural disasters like cyclones and floods, which cause significant damage and put lives at risk. The community lacks a permanent cyclone shelter, leaving people vulnerable during emergencies.

Education is another major issue. There are no schools on the island, so children have to travel about 5 kilometres to attend school. This long journey is often unsafe and discourages many children from pursuing their education. As a result, many children miss out on learning opportunities, which affects their future prospects.

The island's residents also struggle with poor communication and transportation systems, making it hard to access essential services like healthcare and electricity. Most of the people are extremely poor and landless, which adds to their hardships. The cyclone that damaged the OBHIZATRIK School has further highlighted the need for a strong, multi-purpose facility that can provide both education and safety during disasters.

In summary, Charlata Island's main challenges include frequent natural disasters, lack of a permanent cyclone shelter, poor access to education, inadequate transportation and communication systems, and widespread poverty. These issues make it difficult for the community to thrive and protect themselves during emergencies.

Solution

To address the challenges faced by Charlata Island, we propose building a new, dual-purpose facility. This building will serve as both a school for children and a cyclone shelter for the community. It help -

1. Education: The new facility will provide a safe and accessible place for 200 children to receive quality education. This means they won't have to travel long distances to attend school, ensuring they can learn in a secure environment.
2. Cyclone Shelter: During emergencies, the building will act as a shelter for up to 1,000 people. It will be designed to withstand severe weather conditions, providing a safe haven during cyclones and floods.
3. Essential Support: The facility will include separate rooms for males and females, toilets, and spaces for livestock. This ensures that everyone has access to necessary support during disasters.
4. Comprehensive Support: In addition to shelter, the building will provide essential services such as food, clean water, healthcare, and sanitation. This will help meet the immediate needs of the community during and after disasters.
5. Durability: The construction will be robust and designed to withstand the impacts of climate change, ensuring long-term safety and functionality.

By building this dual-purpose facility, we aim to improve the quality of life for Charlata's residents. It will provide continuous education for children and a secure refuge during natural disasters, addressing both the immediate and long-term needs of the community.

Impact

The construction of the new dual-purpose facility on Charlata Island will have a significant positive impact on the community in several ways -

1. Safety During Disasters: The new building will provide a safe place for up to 1,000 people during emergencies like cyclones and floods. This will reduce the risk of injury and loss of life, ensuring that residents have a secure refuge when they need it most.
2. Continuous Education: By offering a dedicated space for education, 200 children will have the opportunity to learn in a safe and stable environment. This will help improve their academic performance and future prospects, breaking the cycle of poverty.
3. Improved Health and Sanitation: The facility will include essential support such as toilets and clean water, which are crucial for maintaining good health and hygiene. This will help prevent the spread of diseases, especially during and after natural disasters.
4. Community Resilience: The building will be designed to withstand severe weather conditions, making the community more resilient to the impacts of climate change. This long-term durability will provide ongoing protection and support for the residents.
5. Livelihood Support: By including spaces for livestock, the facility will help protect the communities during disasters. This is important for maintaining livelihoods, as many residents rely on livestock for their income and food.
6. Access to Essential Services: During emergencies, the facility will provide food, clean water, healthcare, and sanitation services. This comprehensive support will address the immediate needs of the community, helping them recover more quickly from disasters.

Overall, this project will greatly enhance the quality of life for Charlata's residents by providing a safe, durable, and multifunctional facility that supports both education and emergency needs. It will empower the community to better withstand and recover from natural disasters, ensuring a brighter and more secure future for all.

Conclusion

The construction of a new dual-purpose facility on Charlata Island is a critical step towards improving the lives of its residents. This project will provide a safe and durable shelter during natural disasters, protecting up to 1,000 people and ensuring their safety. Additionally, it will offer a stable and accessible educational environment for 200 children, helping them to achieve their full potential.

By addressing the immediate and long-term needs of the community, this facility will enhance the overall resilience and well-being of Charlata's residents. It will provide essential services such as food, clean water, healthcare, and sanitation, which are crucial during emergencies. The inclusion of livestock storage spaces will also help protect the livelihoods of the residents.

Despite securing 28% of the required funding, we need additional support to complete this vital project. Your contribution can make a significant difference in the lives of Charlata's residents, helping them to overcome the challenges posed by their vulnerable climate and socio-economic conditions. Together, we can build a safer, more resilient future for this community.