Accra, Oct 8, GNA - The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in collaboration with Zoomlion and Ghana National Fire Service, on Saturday organised a cleanup exercise to commemorate the International Disaster Risk Reduction Day scheduled for October 13, 2011.

Market women, some staff of the three organisations and individuals participated in the exercise which took place at the Madina Zonal Council in Accra.

It was under the theme: “Making Children and Young People Partners for Disaster Risk Reduction.”

Mr Sylvester Azantilow, Deputy National Co-ordinator, NADMO, said many of the floods were caused by filth, choked gutters and building on waterways.

He noted that negative practices by a section of the public including throwing garbage into drains had aggravated the problem of flooding.

Mr Azantilow explained that children suffered most when disasters occurred and that NADMO Officials were working toward involving disaster management in the school curricula to enable children to learn the causes and prevention of disaster.

“With this they would be able to educate their peers and parents on disaster issues,” he said.

Mr Azantilow said arrangements had been made with the Ministry of Education to introduce the subject during the next academic year.

He said cleaning the environment would also help prevent communicable diseases and children must contribute towards keeping their surroundings clean.

He called on the various ministries to work hand in hand to reduce disasters in the country.

Mr John Kwao Sackey, Municipal Chief Executive of Ga East, said two per cent of the Common Fund was allocated for disaster and relief activities and that the Assembly would support NADMO in all its activities.

He urged Assembly members to undertake communal labour frequently to help curb the sanitation problems in the communities.