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DISASTER RISK REDUCTION THROUGH SCHOOLS Presented at the Global Platform special event on Disaster Risk Reduction in the Education Sector 17 June 2009. ActionAid’s DRR through Schools Project.
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DISASTER RISK REDUCTION THROUGH SCHOOLS Presented at the Global Platform special event on Disaster Risk Reduction in the Education Sector 17 June 2009
ActionAid’s DRR through Schools Project • Multi-country project to reduce vulnerability through HFA implementation in Malawi, Kenya, Ghana, Haiti, India, Bangladesh, Nepal & Haiti • Safe schoolchildren, communities & school buildings through knowledge and action on risk and hazards at local level to national level rooted in community • International reach through work with UNISDR, BOND group, UNESCO and other actors
Networks and linkages • UNISDR • COGSS/DPE • DfID inter-agency group- ActionAid, Christian Aid, Plan, Tearfund and Practical Action (British Red Cross) • Global Network of CSOs for Disaster Reduction • VOICE DRR working group - (Voluntary Organisations in Conflict and Emergencies) • BOND DRR group - A UK based coalition of NGOs and academics.
Core principles • Outreach: schools as centres for community DRR – a culture of safety through mobilisation and organisation • Participatory vulnerability analysis: an entry point that informs priority and actions from local to national levels • Curriculum: Brings natural sciences teaching together with active study of risk reduction based on local hazards and risks. • Physical protection: Builds safer schools in safer sites and retrofit schools for better safety
Lessons/challenges • Enthusiasm of key players over technical knowledge • Inadequate capacity at local level (technical, financial) • Education & other sectors have to own and drive the idea of DRR • Importance of changing attitudes of school management towards DRR • Inappropriate/ lack of enforcement of building codes Bunds at Thangadzi-1 Government Primary School.
Some key recommendations • RECOMMENDATIONS • Use PVA as entry point to build awareness and knowledge on hazards and risks for effective planning and action (at community and school level) • Include DRR focus in sector-wide plan & fast track initiative & add DRR as school inspection & classification criteria • Make DRR funds available at school and community level • Involve education actors (teacher unions and education coalitions) and other sectors • Reinforce the important role of local government (decentralisation with authority) • Review and create awareness around building codes .
Thank you for your attention John.Abuya@actionaid.org Jo www.actionaid.org