New Zealand: 'Get ready get thru'
Every year since the early nineties, the United Nations organises a World Disaster Reduction Campaign, which culminates on International Disaster Reduction Day, the second Wednesday of October. In New Zealand, the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management working in collaboration with Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups around the country, promotes Disaster Awareness Week, a week of activities aimed at raising awareness of hazards and the need to be prepared.
The purpose of the Disaster Awareness Week is to have a heightened period of activity to get across key CDEM messages to the general public. The plan is to have an intensive national mass media advertising campaign to promote the key messages, with CDEM Groups encouraged to undertake local and regional activities for their communities. The focus during the week is on encouraging individuals to take action to be better prepared to deal with disasters when they happen.
Planned national media activities
The national theme will continue to be the generic "Get Ready Get Thru" and it is up to CDEM Groups to focus on specific aspects such as water, schools, businesses etc. As in previous years there will be an intensive national mass media campaign on television and radio reinforced by activities to support CDEM Groups.
What are you doing for the week? Share your ideas:.
If you would like to share your ideas on what you are planning to do during Disaster Awareness Week with the other CDEM Groups please contact your representative on the National Public Education Reference Group or email: chandrika.kumaran@dia.govt.nz.
Information on what is being planned around the country will be posted on the website below.