Practicing for disaster: In Cambodia and around the world, a safe community starts with a safe school

By Muhibuddin Usamah

If we are lucky, in our lifetimes we will never experience a disaster.

Never know what it is to have our homes and belongings washed away by a flash flood. Never know how it feels to flee an approaching tsunami.

Never know what it is to experience, first-hand, a violent cyclone or simply, destructive strong wind.

Yet, disasters can strike anywhere, at any time. 

According to the international disaster database ‘EM-DAT’, 318 natural disasters touched 122 countries in 2017, resulting in over 9,500 deaths, 96 million people affected, and US$314 billion in economic damages. 

Weather-related disasters accounted for the majority of the human and economic losses: almost 90% of deaths were due to climatological, hydrological or meteorological disasters such as storms and floods.

Some regions are more vulnerable than others. And for those who live in hazard-prone areas, the looming risk of disaster more or less becomes part of life.

While we cannot prevent a disaster from happening – we can take advance steps to prepare and protect...

In Cambodia, the government recognizes the value of preparedness. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport’s disaster management program is teaching students and teachers in hazard-prone areas what to do before, during and after an extreme event.

As well as practice drills, schools are checking emergency kits are functioning and ready to be used. All schools now enforce disaster awareness.

Between March and April 2018, more than 1000 students and 54 teachers participated in storm drills in Stueng Hav and Prey Nob Districts of Sihanoukville.  The drills are part of a strategy of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports to mainstream climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction into their activities.

Five participating students of Grade 10-11 have now been selected as Cambodia’s delegates to travel to Japan to participate in World Tsunami Awareness Day on November 5.

In pictures: disaster preparedness in action. All photos by Manuth Buth/UNDP Cambodia.

While the risk of a tsunami affecting Cambodia is low, the risk of coastal flooding is increasing with the rise of the global mean sea level. To maximise preparedness, Cambodia is one of 18 countries in Asia and the Pacific taking part in the regional initiative “Strengthening Schools Preparedness for Tsunamis in the Asia-Pacific region”

I worry about my own safety and the other villagers during a disaster like a storm or flood. Learning how to prepare is important for us,” said Seng Sreyseung, 16. 

As well as threatening children’s health and safety, disasters can disrupt their education and have flow on effects for communities. “I am very pleased with the support from Japan to teach children how to remain safe when hazards strike,” said Her Excellency Ms. Khun Rachana, Under Secretary of State of Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports.

“The drills are practical and promote the importance of student preparedness for disaster in Sihanoukville,” said Mrs. Mao Tannavy, vice office chief of Development Curriculum Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, also expressing her gratitude to the Government of Japan for supporting the exercises in high-risk schools.