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The
campaign is supported
by the ISDR system
thematic cluster on knowledge
and education, which is convened by: |
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United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
(UNESCO)
www.unesco.org
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For more
information
contact: |
Brigitte Leoni
Tel: +41 22 917 49 68
leonib@un.org
Laura Ngo-Fontaine
Tel: +41 22 917 27 89
ngo-fontaine@un.org UN/ISDR
Palais des Nations
CH 1211 Geneva 10,
Switzerland
Fax: +41 22 917 05 63 |
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Case
studies |
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Let’s
be prepared
An educational project about disasters in Cuba |
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Cuba is
heavily exposed to natural hazards such as tropical cyclones,
floods, intense rains and strong winds.
During an average season
up to ten hurricanes are formed, however awareness of these natural
hazard risks have increased in recent years and the Cuban Government
has implemented strategies to significantly reduce the population’s
vulnerability to disasters which have decreased loss of life, agriculture,
and livestock.
Cuba has incorporated disaster risk awareness into different school
programmes through cultural training, extracurricular and non-teacher-centered
activities. These activities draw on cross-cutting issues such as
disaster prevention and preparedness. Despite these efforts, the
links between disaster education and communities still require strengthening
with students as the leading actors in this process.
The project entitled “A Prepararnos” was implemented
in the province of Holguin to develop environmental education through
formal, non-formal and informal means with the active participation
of children and the community at large. The project focused on the
relationship between schools and communities. It also established
follow-up mechanisms for specific results, and adapted a number of
methodologies based upon the local environment, existing problems
and natural and human disasters and their prevention. The project
was implemented in pilot schools and communities throughout the 14
municipalities of Holguin. |
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Local risk management in earthquake zones of Kazakhstan
UNDP Kazakhstan
Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Red Crescent Society of Kazakhstan |
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Due to the diversity of landscape, climate conditions and industrial
infrastructure, Kazakhstan is at risk of high levels of natural and
man-made disasters, in particular to strong and devastating earthquakes.
Approximately 30 per cent (650,000 km2) of Kazakh territory is home
to more than six million inhabitants and a high concentration of
industrial facilities (40%) are located in the high seismic zones.
An estimated 200,000 residents in Almaty live in building types that
are vulnerable to seismic hazards, and it is projected that up to
one third of all residential buildings would be destroyed in the
event of a catastrophic earthquake. This does not include public
infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, power plants and other
critical facilities, which are also at great risk. Given the unlikelihood
that existing structures will be retrofitted to protect against seismic
vulnerability, a comprehensive seismic safety programme must include
building the capacity of local organizations to respond to emergencies.
The framework outlined below not only advanced the critical educational
messages being communicated under the Central Asia Region for Earthquake
Safety Initiative (CARESI), but also promoted the response capacity
of one of Kazakhstan’s leading non-governmental organizations
that have a proven track record in delivering disaster preparedness,
response, and health services.
In response to an umbrella initiative of the UNDP’s Bureau
for Crisis Prevention and Recovery, Disaster Reduction Unit (UNDP/BCPR/DRU),
the Government of Kazakhstan and UNDP in Kazakhstan designed a joint
project to support local risk management in earthquake zones of Kazakhstan. |
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Disaster-resistant schools
A tool for universal primary education
Development Intervention Fund, Madagascar |
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The cyclone-prone island of Madagascar is on track to reach
the Millennium Development Goal of Universal Primary Education
by 2015.
In the last three years, primary school attendance rate increased
by 80 per cent, from 53 percent in 2002 to 95 per cent in late 2005.
The Malagasy Government’s free supply of school materials such
as textbooks and pens to low-income families in selected areas, a
massive recruitment and training of primary school teachers, and
the construction disaster resistant school buildings are three main
factors that have contributed to the rise in primary school attendance.
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School safety as part of post-conflict
reconstruction
Community based disaster management, Afghanistan |
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Afghanistan frequently experiences disasters such as earthquakes,
floods, sandstorms and extreme winter. What makes the response and
recovery processes difficult is the low capacity left after more
than two decades of wars and internal conflicts. As part of the community,
schools and school children suffer from both disasters and post-conflict
hardships. School buildings are weak, old and poorly maintained.
Infrastructure is very poor, and there are hardly any resources with
the local administrators to improve things. Most crucially, knowledge
resources on mitigation and preparedness are extremely scarce.
In 2003, under the arrangement with the United Nations Assistance
Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the Department of Disaster Preparedness
(DDP) of the Government of Afghanistan, SEEDS carried out the consultation
process for the preparation of National Disaster Management Plan
for Afghanistan. The following year SEEDS worked with UNAMA and DDP
for dissemination of the National Plan towards Community Based Disaster
Management in Afghanistan. The dissemination activities included
awareness and capacity building of line ministries, provincial and
district governments, and schools. The school component was important
as this was viewed as the critical link between government plans
and community initiatives. |
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From rehabilitation to safety
Gujarat school safety initiative, India |
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A devastating earthquake hit Gujarat in western India in 2001.
The tragedy was marked with a very high number of casualties among
school children. Many school building collapsed, trapping children
and teachers under their rubble. The loss of 400 school children
in the city of Anjar is one of the many school-based incidents that
are etched in the memories of those who lived through the disaster.
Extensive rehabilitation programmes followed the earthquake, into
which were woven elements of disaster mitigation and preparedness.
The Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA) and national
NGO SEEDS took up the Gujarat School Safety Initiative, a first of
its kind in the region.
The project addresses two issues:
- Understanding
and preparedness amongst school children, teachers and parents
to reduce disaster risk in schools and to be prepared
to act appropriately in an emergency
- Disaster
management appreciation amongst teachers so that they are able
to impart disaster education to children
more effectively
Direct implementation
of school based preparedness activities is being carried out
in 175 schools and teachers’ training
is being conducted across 25 Districts. |
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