Disaster Risk Reduction Resources
From APEC HRDWG Wiki
The Importance of Disaster Education
Natural disasters such as earthquakes, typoons, tsunamis, and volcanoes are a constant threat to many in the APEC Region and across the world. During the recent tragedy in Japan, in which a high-magitude earthquake then triggered a catastrophic tsunami, nearly 10,000 people were killed with hundreds of thousands displaced from their homes, villages, and cities. The near nuclear disaster, in which large amounts of nuclear radition is released into the atmosphere has become a cause for immense concern due to the destruction of the nuclear plant in Japan. Although tragedies such as the one to strike Japan recently oftentime come without warning, taking entire countries and continents by surprise, it is necessary that adequate preparation are, appropriate responses are taken, and that educational measures are instituted in order to protect citizens in times of crises.
The Workshop on Large-Scale Disaster Recovery in APEC, which was noted in a APEC news release, highlighted key outcomes of comparative analyses involving disaster responses in different APEC economies. The analyses indicate that communities need to be involved in both pre- and post-disaster activities, and that identifying and understanding potential risks at local-levels is critical in designing plans for disaster reduction and emergency preparedness. The workshop was held in conjunction by the governments of China and Chinese Taipei in September 2008 and contributed to the objectives of the APEC Emergency Preparedness Working Group and to the "Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Preparedness and Response in the Asia Pacific region: 2009 to 2015", which was endorsed by APEC in Lima, Peru. In the 4th APEC Education Ministerial Meeting (4th AEMM) Joint Statement, the APEC Education Ministers acknowledged the importance of providing the necessary scientific and practical knowledge about disaster risks and integrating disaster risk reduction education into school curricula. In their statement they noted that: "It is crucial that education provide skills for reducing the damage that follows a natural disaster." At the 4th AEMM, during the science education presentation by Achieve Inc., it was noted that the effects of natural disasters are often inadequately taught in science classes.
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Pre- and Post-Disaster Resources and Information
Education and awareness building can help enable potential disaster victims to make informed decisions and take informed actions before and during natural disasters. As evidenced from the recent disaster in Japan, potentially thousands of additional lives may have been lost without the disaster education and preparedness, such as regular evacuation and emergency drills, taught to children throughout their time in school. The table below contains information and resources related to preparing for disasters before they occur.
General Information | |
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Disaster Preparedness and Response for Schools and Universities |
NCEF's resource list of links, books, and journal articles on building or retrofitting schools to withstand natural disasters and terrorism, developing emergency preparedness plans, and using school buildings to shelter community members during emergencies. |
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Natural disasters facts, pictures, quizzes, video from National Geographic. | |
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Resources dealing with the traumatic mental effects of disasters upon children and their educational experience | |
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The US Department of Health and Human Resources supports the National Child Traumatic Stress Network provides resources for educators, parents, and mental health professionals. | |
Resources for Parents, Teachers, and Children | |
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FEMA's classroom activities for teachers and parents about disaster relief | |
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This FEMA site teaches kids how to be prepared for disasters and prevent disaster damage | |
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Includes advice on educational materials, teaching strategies, and how integrating disaster education works to make schools safer. | |
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Resources for teachers, students and families focused on emergency preparedness. Ready Classroom includes an interactive hazard map, lesson plans, planning tools and videos. | |
Resources from the News | |
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BBC News accesses news and science sources from around the world to bring you a complete picture of Japan's earthquake and tsunami, plus general scientific and historical earthquake and tsunami information. | |
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Kyodo News is one of Japan's most important news sources. This link is the English version of Kyodo News. You can access up-to-the-minute details about all aspects of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. Kyodo has extensive video footage of the earthquake and tsunami. | |
U.S. Government Resources | |
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Resources compiled by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools (OSDFS). | |
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The NEHRP is an inter-governmental project in the U.S. to mitigate the risks to life and property caused by earthquakes by studying earthquakes and their effects and implementing improved policies. | |
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Grant program by the U.S. Department of Education that supports efforts by local education agencies to create and improve emergency management plans. | |
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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has provided this resource as an effort to integrate disaster risk reduction into school curricula. This resource allows users to make a plan so that they are prepared in every situation. | |
United Nations, Red Cross, and other related Resources | |
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This UN-ISDR campaign focuses on lessons learned from past disasters and recommendations for future education, protection of school infrastructure, and community awareness. | |
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The Central Florida Red Cross publications dealing with disasters and disaster-preparedness, including how to talk with children in a variety of languages including Arabic, Bosnian, Cambodian, Chinese, Croatian, English, Farsi, French, Korean, Laotian, Russian, Serbian, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. | |
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This Red Cross program has lesson plans, activities and demonstrations that can be incorporated within core subject areas about how helping young people deal with terrorism and other tragic events | |
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Educational lesson plans from the Red Cross that aim to empower youth to prevent disasters. | |
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This report analyzes data to assess current and future risks across various regions and countries with differing socioeconomic situations. It draws out the various methods to prevent and minimize the impact of natural disasters across vulnerable areas and populations. | |
Information on Tsunami
The Tsunami tragedies of 2004 in the Indian Ocean, and most recently of Japan in 2011 have raised awareness around the world about Tsunamis. The table below lists several resources from which detailed information on Tsunami may be found:
Information on Tsunami | |
| International Tsunami Information Center | Information about tsunamis and updated safety information with preparation advice |
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Provides a comprehensive list of current information resources including country specific information. The Asia society provides links for teachers and the physics of tsunamis | |
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Provides learning resources for kids specific to the tsunami crisis | |
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Online brochure to increase awareness and knowledge of tsunamis | |
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Portal containing various information on responses to the 2004 tsunamis, follow-up studies, and educational materials. This site also links to information about other troubled areas that affect the welfare and education of children. | |
Information on Earthquakes
The devastating earthquake that occured in Japan on March 11, 2011 was one of the highest-magnitude earthquakes ever recorded. It resulted in nearly 10,000 lost lives and decimated North-East Japan.
In October 2011, the APEC Emergency Preparedness Working Group convened a workshop to focus on School Earthquake Safety in APEC economies: Reducing Risks and Improving Preparedness.
Below are resources related to earthquakes:
