Children are the most vulnerable during natural disasters, yet child protection is rarely prioritized in disaster preparedness. On November 15, 2007, super cyclone Sidr struck Sarankhola upazila, resulting in 722 deaths, of which 439 were children. This massive loss of young lives has shocked the global community.
According to affected children, parents, and disaster experts, the 439 victims in Sarankhola ranged from newborns to 18 years old, with the majority aged between one month and five years. A newborn baby lost its life to the turbulent waters of the Baleswar river just six hours after birth during the night of the cyclone. Other victims included 22-day-old Tamanna, one-month-old Sumaiya, and two-month-old Bilkis and Surma.
Experts note that surviving children have been left orphaned and helpless. For instance, Sohel Panchayat from Bogi village lost his parents and siblings, forcing him to struggle through life. Concerned individuals and organizations point out that over the past 15 years, effective steps for child protection remain lacking, prompting demands to prioritize child safety in disaster management.
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