Disaster risk reduction through children’s eyes - celebrating the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction

October 13, 2022
Photo: UNDP Uzbekistan

Celebrating the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) at the school presents a great opportunity for educating children and local community about safety measures in emergency situations.

The Kamchik Pass, a mountain pass in the Fergana Valley, is affected by multiple climate hazards which people living in this area frequently encounter. The IDDRR celebration on October 13 at the small school #44 located at the Kamchik Pass in the Pap district of Namangan region with only one hundred and fifty-five schoolchildren will encourage local schoolchildren to share their knowledge of multi-hazard early warning system and disaster risk information, showcase their skills, and take part in various competitions. The event is organized jointly by the UNDP and the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) within the project “Enhancing multi-hazard early-warning system to increase the resilience of Uzbekistan communities to climate change induced hazards” implemented by the UNDP, the MES and the Center of Hydrometeorological Service (UZHYDROMET). 

Photo: UNDP Uzbekistan

The project “Enhancing multi-hazard early warning system to increase resilience of Uzbekistan communities to climate change-induced hazards” is targeted at enhancing the efficiency and coverage of a multi-hazard early warning system for climate change-induced hazards given the projected climate change impacts. Increasing the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to people by 2030 as the focus of this year’s IDDRR within the Sendai Framework reflects the project’s main objective, therefore the celebration of the IDDRR in turn contributes to promoting a global culture of disaster risk reduction at a local community level. 

Photo: UNDP Uzbekistan

The programme of the event comprises of educational and interactive parts. Open lessons will introduce children to ways of mitigating the negative impact of the natural hazards (avalanches, mudflows, landslides, etcetera), whereas the quiz afterwards will test their knowledge and awareness of the topic. The members of the school’s club “Young rescuers” will perform and demonstrate how to carry out rescue activities and provide first aid. The drawing contest will assess the pupils’ understanding of disaster risk reduction through art, whereas screening of the documentary film on emergency prevention and what to do in case of an emergency will give the visual guidance. Additionally, the demonstration by the MES staff of the process of evacuation from the building after receiving an alarm signal will show the pupils how people are evacuated in case of emergencies. Through all these activities the students will learn how to behave in emergency situations without panicking and form relevant knowledge and practical skills. 

Photo: UNDP Uzbekistan

The small neighborhood in the area of the Kamchik Pass gets exposed to major climatic hazards, that is why it is important to raise awareness of its population on the risks and ways to mitigate the effect of these threats. The celebration of IDDRR in this location contributes to the formulation of sustainable communities and enhanced climate action that complements the long-term project goals in achieving sustainable development goals including goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities and goal 13 on climate action. 

Photo: UNDP Uzbekistan

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