Johanniter: Prepare communities in Afghanistan for disaster
Johanniter started a disaster risk reduction project in schools of Balkh Province for 18 months (October 16, 2011 to April 15, 2013) to train teachers and students to build resilience capacity on disaster risk reduction management. The project is co-funded by Johanniter and the German Federal Office and will accomplish the following milestones:
- Train ten local people as Master Trainers by international trainer
- Train 800 teachers and 4,800-6000 pupils from 40 schools in 15 districts of Balkh Province on disaster prevention measures and first aid by Master Trainers
- Raise awareness through campaigns, theatre performances, radio spots, posters, booklets and leaflets
- Establish disaster management committees in targeted schools. These committees will participate in training/simulation exercises.
- Establish alarm systems for each school equipping with first aid kits and emergency kits
Furthermore, Johanniter is going to complete a community-based disaster risk reduction project in Khulm and Shortepa Districts of Balkh Province co-funded by Johanniter and the German Federal Foreign Office. The project aims to improve the resilience capacity of the community through providing training on disaster risk reduction management and first aid skills to local communities in Balkh Province and to save lives and protect livelihood through establishing physical early warning systems and providing emergency kits and first aid kits.
Disaster Situation in Afghanistan
Afghanistan is considered as a country prone to a number of natural disasters like earthquakes, flooding, drought, landslides, storms and extreme weather conditions. Between 1980 and 2008, the country experienced 118 natural disasters with a total number of persons killed estimated at 19,186 and affected persons estimated at about 6 million (EMDAT 2009). According to UNAMA 2009, about 400,000 Afghans are affected each year by extreme natural phenomena. Statistically major threats are earthquakes and floods which have caused enormous social and economic damages of nearly 385 million dollars between 1980-2008 (EMDAT 2009). Earthquakes are relatively frequent, being more frequent in the north and northeast, and often trigger landslides.