Enlarge image
Destroyed houses after the flood in Dernau an der Ahr
Photo:
Thomas Lohnes / Getty Images
DER SPIEGEL:
Mr. Huq, two weeks ago when a flood swept away half villages in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate, it was often said that such images of destruction are only known from countries like Bangladesh. You and your institute have been researching for a long time how people there can be better protected from extreme weather. And you say: Germany can learn a lot about civil protection, especially from Bangladesh. What then?
Saleemul Huq:
What
affects
me about the catastrophe in Germany is the high number of deaths.
People who were surprised in their sleep, who had no chance to get to safety.
Of course, we in Bangladesh know these paths of destruction, the heavy rains only too well.
We too lose houses, furniture, crops - but we no longer lose our fellow human beings.
Hardly any more people die in the floods here.
Over the past one to two decades, we have developed warning systems step by step that protect us.
SPIEGEL:
It was only last year that a third of Bangladesh was under water and hundreds of people died.
Huq:
Yes, unfortunately there are still victims.
But a few years ago this event would have killed thousands, not hundreds.
A few days ago, a few people died in a landslide after heavy rainfall.
Rohingya refugees who lived in tents there.
She did not reach the warning.
In most cases, however, it is like this: People know in good time - including the poor.
Because it is mostly they who live in endangered areas.
The most important lesson for Germany is that people have to understand that they are in danger.
SPIEGEL:
How do you impart the necessary knowledge in Bangladesh?
Huq:
The schools are a central point.
Girls and boys learn to swim there.
And they learn what to do in the event of an impending flood: who can I help?
What things do i have to do?
For me, an attentive population is the most important tool in a disaster.
Over time, society has learned that every resident in danger areas must have a waterproof emergency package with the most important documents at the entrance.
If, for example, a cyclone threatens, pupils are sent home by the teachers to their families to warn them and urge them to evacuate.
SPIEGEL:
Isn't that absolutely irresponsible - sending the children straight into the danger zones?
Huq:
The schools send the children out early enough, a day or two before the storm hits.
Cyclones can be seen well on satellite images and can be calculated when they will hit where.
So there is enough time for everyone - children and warned families - to get to safety.
There are permanent shelters known to everyone.
The advantage is that the children and helpers can still warn people, even if the power is already gone or there is no cell phone reception.
It's a very safe warning chain.
Everyone knows that when children are sent away from schools, the situation must be taken seriously.
In the event of floods, NGOs and helpers from the Red Cross go from door to door to warn residents.
SPIEGEL:
What other warnings are being given?
Huq
: First of all, there is the meteorological data from the satellites. People are informed of this via the media, cell phones and warning apps. The language that is used must be clear and precise: “You have three days to leave your house. You have two days, one day, and so on. At some point people will hear this very clear instruction: "You have to go now." "Save your life." The government sends these warnings via SMS
all people on their mobile phones who are logged into a certain cellular network;
it also reaches those who do not have a corresponding warning app or internet access.
Some of the warnings are basic and some are specifically tailored to the location: “In your area, the tide will arrive around so many hours.
The level will be so many meters high.
Go to an elevated place. ”Many people also have corresponding apps with which they can follow hurricanes via satellite images and find out when they have to be out of their apartments.
SPIEGEL:
It takes a lot of effort to leave your belongings behind.
In Germany there were some clear warnings, but very few followed them.
Huq: It is
crucial for the success of a warning system that it uses very clear language.
And the same every time.
So that people understand: It's about my life.
I don't think that happened in Germany.
We did a lot of clarification, we also looked at the individual cases: Why did this or that person not receive the warning in time?
Our warning system became more and more closely meshed and more precise in its address.
SPIEGEL:
The people in Bangladesh - in contrast to the people in Germany - are more used to a disaster.
Cyclones, hurricanes and heavy rains are part of everyday life.
You may also be paying more attention to the weather radar.
How well can you compare the two countries?
Huq:
That's not true.
The people on the Rhine also know that they live in a floodplain.
Of course, this time these flash floods were different from normal floods, and it hit places on the Ahr, for example, that it hadn't hit so much before.
But these people all live close to the water.
That is why my message to the people in Germany is: Don't be unprepared anymore.
Expect it again.
The water will come back.
Everyone must be prepared in every place in the future.
Not only is Bangladesh a vulnerable country.
Every country has become vulnerable to the climate crisis.
Destruction, loss, it will affect everyone in the future, everywhere.
No matter if rich or poor.
SPIEGEL:
How is the climate crisis noticeable in your country?
Huq:
In our center we notice that rainy seasons are more difficult to predict and more frequent
There is heavy rain.
The people of Bangladesh can live with floods, they know the monsoons.
They have been living pragmatically with water for generations.
But the accumulation of rains and storms robs many of their livelihoods and, in the long run, their homes.
Disaster control can only be achieved if society as a whole pulls together.
The government, the organizations and scientists, the ordinary people.
SPIEGEL:
Do you have an example?
Huq:
I live in the affluent part of my city.
The slums are closer to the river.
During the heavy rains, the slums are under water.
So people keep going up to our houses.
We give them a warm meal and let them pitch their tents in front of our houses and gardens.
They use our baths as long as their houses are under water.
People help each other, they take care of each other in times of need.
SPIEGEL:
That almost sounds too romantic.
Huq:
I admit that not all wealthy people do it that way;
the hand is not extended to all the needy.
But believe me, there are many.
Everyone knows that taking care of one another is a very important aspect of the resilience of a community and a country.
It is also extremely important so that people can process the trauma and loss - so that they have the strength to start over after the flood.
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