The coastal region of Peru and especially the valley of the river Tumbes are extremely vulnerable to the repeatedly occurrences of extreme natural hazards. Due to the geographical position, it’s afflicted by strong rains, floods and droughts on a regular basis. The population suffers from economical, ecological and socio-cultural deficiencies.
Thanks to a contribution made by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, the German Red Cross in close cooperation with the Peruvian Red Cross will now start a project in 4 chosen districts to develop Disaster Risk Reduction and to enhance the ability to react in case of an emergency or a nature hazard.
The overall goal of this project is to prepare the population of these districts so well, that when a disaster happens, the impact will be not as hard on them. They will be trained on how to react accordingly and how to support immediate relief efforts.
To reduce the consequences of a natural disaster, it is crucial that everybody within the community has a certain level of knowledge. The four carefully chosen districts will be trained intensely on the subjects Risk Awareness and quick organization in endangered communities. In the end at least 50% of the population will be able to read and understand 'Danger Maps' and at least 70% will be aware of the different types of hazards possible and know which zones are extremely dangerous.
Emergency Committees will be created and made aware of their own importance. These committees will have regular working hours, regular contact with the local authorities and will be taken seriously, when support is needed, in case of an emergency. At least 30% of the members will be women, who tend to be the more communicative. As everybody will be involved in the local risk management, it will soon be a normal part of every day’s life.
Sustainability means educating the children, so the German Red Cross will prepare 15 schools in Risk Reduction and make them a tool in a positive sense for spreading the knowledge.
Teachers of these schools will be trained properly in the beginning and not just in Risk Reduction but also how to teach these topics to young children. Students and teachers will be made aware of the endangered zones in their school area and signs will be put up clearly. Every school will do a campaign to a theme of risk prevention.
All this activities together will give the population a profound knowledge and awareness of the dangers in their living space, but also security with the taught ability to react properly on emergencies.
Visit the German Red Cross web site for more details about the development of this project from August 2009 onwards.