Disaster risk reduction in Guatemala: I learn in a safe school

The project contributes to disaster risk reduction in schools in the municipalities of Chichicastenango, Quichè and Chichè, by means of:

• Capacity building of the educational community in disaster risk reduction.
• Mobilisation of school committees to plan for disaster risk reduction.
• Development of school disaster risk reduction plans.
• Signalling evacuation routes and conducting drills.

Guatemala is one of the countries with the highest levels of exposure to disaster risks in the world according to the main global indices. The impact of these disasters is especially critical in the field of education. This significantly affects the fulfilment of the rights of children and adolescents.

This is why it is essential to prepare schools and communities for disasters — both the prevention and preparedness components — with the direct involvement of all the stakeholders that are part of the educational community.

• Informative education
• Building resilience
• Innovative solutions and skills

Informative education

• Development of awareness-raising materials on disaster risk reduction.
• Disaster risk reduction training with right holders and primary and secondary duty bearers.

Building resilience

• Setting up of the School Committee for Disaster Risk Reduction.
• Development of hazards and risks maps.
• Organisation of the educational community for the development of the Disaster Risk Reduction Plan in schools.
• Signposting of multi-hazard evacuation routes.
• Planning and development of drills in schools.

Innovative solutions and skills

• Instalment of safe water eco-filters.