With the once freshly green city of Freetown fastly becoming arid brown with dust, increasing the likelihood of flood in prime areas with each coming year, the Office of National Security (ONS) has against this backdrop organized a training of trainers for educators workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction.
In all societies, ONS Chief of Staff Lawrence Bassie said, “children represent the hope for the future. Therefore making disaster risk reduction part of our educational curriculum can help foster awareness and better understanding of the immediate environment in which children and their families live and work. We know that from experience children who are taught about natural hazards and risk play important role in saving lives and protecting members of their communities in times of crisis,” he averred.
“The number and gravity of disaster are on the rise with grave consequences for the survival, dignity and livelihood of our people and their communities. Disaster management is composed of issues that are cross cutting, cross-sectoral and inter disciplinary,” said Bassie while delivering the keynote address on behalf of his superior Brig (Rtd) Kellie Conteh.
Bassie also said that “contemporary trends in disaster management are indicative of the need for a new paradigm shift that focuses on reducing the risk of disaster through the involvement and participation of stakeholder institutions in emergency management,” adding that the emerging paradigm “stressed that institutions and communities need to put more emphasis on a holistic approach to disaster risk management.”
This approach he went on “involves risk assessment and risk reduction through public education to effectively address social, economic and environmental cost of disasters.” Bassie noted that “The aim is to mainstream this strategy into our national sustainable development programmes”.
Bassie explained that “When disaster strikes, children are among the most vulnerable group especially those attending school.”
The October 5th 2005 earthquake in Pakistan where over 16,000 children died in a school that collapsed or the recent mudslide in the Philippines, where more than 200 school children were buried alive, were some of the tragic and horrendous examples, he highlighted to showcase the need to train educators on disaster risk reduction for the protection of children in schools.
Bassie disclosed that to inform and ensure the future of our communities, “the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNDR) Secretariat and its partners have encouraged government, communities around the world to embark on a campaign called: ‘Disaster risk reduction begins in school’”.
The campaign, he said, aims “to inform and mobilize government, communities and individuals to ensure that disaster risk reduction is fully integrated into schools’ curriculum and that school buildings are built or retrofitted to withstand natural hazards.”
“As disaster risk reduction is everybody’s business and in everybody’s interest. Together we can help children build with us a safer world. Schools make the difference between despair and hope. They can also make the difference between life and death,” he said.
He expressed gratitude and appreciation to development partners especially the UNDP who in diverse ways have contributed in no small measure towards building the capacity of our state institutions in disaster management. UNDP Country Director, Samuel Harbor affirmed that UNDP has been a partner with ONS in various things particularly in disaster and risk reduction.
“We want to bequeath to the younger ones what they can do to live a better life…” he said. Some of what actually lead to natural disasters are done out of ignorance, “we are trying to reverse that trend by injecting new principles on our kids who are the future,” he emphasized.
He assured all of their sustained commitment, adding, “we are happy to work as partners in moving this area forward.” Acting Director Disaster Management Department ONS opined that “learning about disaster risk reduction in schools can put teachers and children in a better position to play an important role in saving lives and protecting members of the community in times of disaster.”
By Ophaniel Gooding
ADVERTISEMENT