International Day of Disaster Reduction 2017 - Disaster Management Solutions
DMS (Disaster Management Solutions) had the opportunity of collaborating with the Cape Winelands District Disaster Management Centre (CWDMC) in hosting a school initiative in honour of the UNISDR International Day of Disaster Reduction (IDDR). The UN General Assembly has designated 13 October as International Day of Disaster Reduction, including disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness. “Home Safe Home” is the slogan for this year’s IDDR, one of the targets of the “Sendai Seven Campaign” launched last year. The Sendai Seven campaign is an opportunity for governments, the private sector, science and technology partners, community groups and civil society organisations to promote and advertise best practice at all levels across all sectors, to reduce disaster risk and disaster losses.
The UNISDR IDDR was hosted at the Noorder-Paarl Secondary School in the Western Cape for Grade 11 learners. The aim of the day was to introduce learners to the concept of disaster management, and the priority risks their households and school are exposed to within the Drakenstein Municipality. In addition, the opportunity was taken to introduce disaster management to the learners as a potential career option, providing insight into the day in the life of a disaster manager.
In response to the priority threats identified in the area, namely fire, crime, drought and transport accidents, DMS, SAPS, Cape Winelands Disaster Management and Environmental Health, and Drakenstein Municipal Traffic and Fire Services contributed to the activities of the day. Francis Hoets from DMS opened the session by introducing the learners to disaster management. Learners were encouraged (with fun spot prizes) to define disaster management terminology, and basic disaster risk assessment steps were outlined to them using maps and imagery of an informal settlement located within Paarl. In addition, the concept of primary and support agents responsible for priority threats were introduced, using the ‘Whose Disaster is it Anyway’ exercise.
Shaun Minnies, Head of Disaster Management Centre at the Cape Winelands focussed on disaster management as a career opportunity, taking the learners through a journey of how he came to be in the position he is in now. In addition, the learners were provided information and anecdotes on what it is like to be a disaster manager, both during normal working days and within a disaster scenario.
W/O Johnson from SAPS provided safety tips on issues relating to crime that affect and involve the learners, and Mr Williams from Municipal Traffic briefed the learners on road safety, particularly due to the fact that they are soon to be motor vehicle users. Finally, Mr. Peceur from Fire Services taught the learners the emergency number for fire related incidents, which the learners practiced through singing and chanting. Although they could not be present, Cape Winelands Environmental Health pledged brochures to be distributed to the learners regarding safe use and disposal of grey and black water.
DMS would like to extend a special thanks to Mr Matthys, Principal of Noorder-Paarl Secondary School for providing the team with the opportunity of raising disaster management awareness among a selection of their pupils. This successful event could not have been done without the collaborative and enthusiastic effort by all the stakeholders involved. Disaster management truly is everybody’s business.
