Regional Minister briefs W/R press World Disaster Reduction Campaign

Sekondi Oct. 11 -GNA-This year's World Disaster Reduction campaign is aimed at informing and mobilising governments, communities and individuals to ensure that disaster risk education is fully integrated into school curricula in high risk areas and that school buildings are designed to withstand natural hazards, Mr Anthony Evans, Western Regional Minister, said on Wednesday.

He was briefing the press on the celebration of 2006 World Disaster Reduction Day which is under the theme: "Disaster Risk Reduction Begins at School" at the Residence in Sekondi.

Mr. Amoah said, "disaster risk reduction is everybody's business" and urged the media to join the government, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Regional Disaster Management Committee in the campaign to make schools safer for children. He said, if disaster risk reduction education is made part of national basic and Senior Secondary School curricula, it would generate awareness and better understanding of the immediate environment in which children and their families live and work.

Mr Amoah said, "Experience has shown that children, who are taught about natural hazards and risks play an important role in saving lives and protecting members of the community".

He noted that many school buildings, especially those in rural areas are structures that are unable to withstand the forces of nature. Mr Amoah said this years World Disaster Reduction Day is intended to stimulate local and national government's investments in safer school facilities and mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction into national school curricula.

He said it is also intended "to increase action and use of good pro-actives to mobilise the various stakeholders, build capacity and guide others to existing resources for training in the area of disaster risk education and school activity". Mr Padmore Yankopa Arthur, Regional Coordinator of NADMO, said the NADMO is working for the full inclusion of disaster management into the curricula of schools.

He said the NADMO is encouraging the formation of disaster clubs in schools to promote education on disaster. Mr. Kwesi Blay,Deputy Regional Minister, and Heads of Departments attended the function.