Bhutan

Schools – Safe from Disasters

As part of the Regional Earthquake Risk Reduction & Recovery Programme, UNDP Bhutan is assisting the Royal Government of Bhutan to strengthen the institutional and community level capacity to plan and implement earthquake risk reduction strategies and disaster recovery preparedness with financial assistance from the Government of Japan.

Under the project, teachers from all schools in Thimphu will be trained on basic fire safety and evacuation procedures and first aid. Two mock drill exercises, focusing on evacuation have been planned at two schools as part of the training. Technical assistance for the mock drill is provided by UNICEF.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop on Wednesday/27August, the Minister for Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs said education and awareness on disaster management and preparedness in school is crucial And “it is our responsibility to ensure the safety of our children, because in times of disasters, the preparedness level and response capacity in the schools would save precious lives”. Ms. Gepke Hingst, the acting UN Resident Coordinator while highlighting the importance of earthquake safety and preparedness, said that “preparedness is as good as the ability to implement the disaster-plan and a mock drill tests exactly that, our ability to act during a disaster, earthquake, flood and the like”.

The training workshop and mock drill with the theme “Schools – safe from disaster” is jointly implemented by the Disaster Management Division, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs and the Standard and Quality Control Authority, Ministry of Works and Human Settlements.