Box 2
Some good examples of disaster risk reduction for young children
Incorporating disaster risk reduction into the curriculum: American Red Cross, working with ISDR and UNESCO,
developed a curriculum called “Masters of Disasters”. It helps teachers integrate DRR education into core subjects for
children from age 5 to 14 and their families with disaster preparedness information, and to promote behaviour change by
providing them with the knowledge, skills and tools to effectively prepare for disasters. The programme which reached over
5.2 million children in six years is now formally incorporated into the national curriculum. Its success is due to being:
1. Interactive: children are engaged in the lessons and learn by having fun, not out of fear
2. Standardised: Attention is paid to quality control and to alignment with national education standards
3. Adaptable: certain aspects of the curriculum can be adapted to be locally relevant
4. Participatory: a broad spectrum of interest groups contributed to the initiative, adding their expertise and experience
Integrating DRR into existing early childhood programmes: Plan International has introduced DRR as part of its
ECD programmes in the Philippines. Children under 8 years of age learn about natural hazards, mitigation and
preparedness through drama and focus group discussions. They take part in risk assessment exercises based on their
evolving capacities. In disaster-exposed areas, ECD centres participate in safe school campaigns and children under 6
years old engage in psycho-social coping exercises through games.
Including young children in the wider community sensitisation drive on risk awareness: In the flood and
earthquake prone region of Bukhara (Uzbekistan) the regional Department of Emergencies in the effort to increase disaster
preparedness for the communities have included preschool and school children. The key activity is to train preschool
children and teachers in the appropriate actions to take before, during and after emergency situations. Through participating
in contests young children have shown their keen interest in learning about risks in their area. They are stimulated by the
activities and exercises, and improve their disaster preparedness. Although the risk reduction work is limited to information
activities, it has succeeded in attracting the attention of children at schools and kindergartens to the need for preparedness
at home and at school for emergency situations.