“Earthquake Preparedness Initiatives for School Safety in Major Cities of Bangladesh”

“Earthquake Preparedness Initiatives for School Safety in Major Cities of Bangladesh” Dr. A. S. M. Maksud Kamal National Expert, Earthquake and Tsunami Preparedness Component, Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP), Ministry of Food and Disaster Management & Md. Anisur Rahman, Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC)

Why School…………….? • 5,953 educational institutions were affected during Pakistan Earthquake (17th November 2005), which killed around 19000 students and 875 teachers in the territory • Children are amongst the most vulnerable group; • There is a multiplier effect of educating the public through the children; • Schools are often used as evacuation centers during a disaster event; • Educational institutions are a major public infrastructure, which can create long-lasting impact on future generations

Damage to Academic Institutions Damage at Charleston College, 1886 Earthquake of August 31, 1886, Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.A A student is Trapped inside a collapsed school building in 2008 Sichuan earthquake

School Specific safety Programme in Bangladesh Considering the Reality, Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP), under the Ministry of Food and Disaster Management of Bangladesh Government has taken initiatives for School safety with Regard to Earthquake in three Major Cities Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) is implementing the initiative through………. • Preparation of Seismic Hazard Maps and School Building Assessment • Training for school teachers on earthquake preparednessprogramming for school children • Dissemination of information on earthquake preparednessfor school children. • Earthquake Safety Drills • Identification of Evacuation Route

School Building Assessment Earthquake Vulnerability assessment of 60 buildings in three Cities 28 schools ToT: 60 teachers Students received direct training of the drills: 2800 School building Assessment Using Smith Hammer, Ferro scan, altar sonic devise

Preparation of Earthquake Evacuation Plan for School • Activities • Survey of Schools considering layout of the school buildings, fields and surrounding environment. • Use of Signs at required places to guide the students towards evacuation places. • Evacuation plan is hanged at main areas of each school so that students can understand the plan and follow it.

ToT Training for school teachers on earthquake preparednessprogramming for school children • Activities • Development of “Training Manual for Earthquake Safety and Preparedness” – for the teachers • Orientation workshops for school principals and technical officers • Train the teachers practically in the field to prepare for earthquake evacuation and drill practice.

Dissemination of information on earthquake preparednessfor school children • Activities • Class lecture for school children to disseminate ideas about earthquake and preparedness in this regard • Train the students to prepare for Mock drill exercise in the schools along with the teachers.

Earthquake Safety Drills • Activities: • Students were divided into several groups to play different role during an earthquake. • Demonstration took place in the respective schools premises where evacuation routes were identified earlier and marked with different arrows.

Sustainability of the Training • Awareness raising poster for wide disseminations of the training in simplified way • Involvement of school curriculum board with the training • Involvement of city corporations with the training • Institutionalizing of the training through inter-ministerial process

THANKS http://www.smate.wwu.edu/teched/geology/eq-schools.html

“Earthquake Preparedness Initiatives for School Safety in Major Cities of Bangladesh”