Dubai: Schoolchildren in public schools will be taught how to respond in natural disasters and emergencies, as part of a nationwide initiative by the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, a senior official said on Tuesday.
Dubbed ‘Jahez’, Arabic for ‘ready’, the scheme, which will feature TV programmes and competitions in photo shooting, story writing and painting, will target schoolchildren in government schools across the country in the first phase, Dr Jamal Mohammad Al Hosani, director- general of the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, told a news conference.
Dr Al Hosani added the initiative, which will initially be in Arabic and later expanded to use other languages, provides an important resource for classroom activities and awareness-raising among children and communities.
He said planning for natural disasters and emergencies is something every educational institution must consider, regardless of its size or location. “In the next two years, Jahez disaster preparedness awareness material will be in several languages and provided to private schools across the country to meet the needs of all sectors of the community.
Dr Al Hosani stressed that it is not possible to plan for every eventuality that might occur; however, preparation is key to saving lives if a disaster strikes.
“The scheme is meant to optimise a community’s capacity to maintain the safety of its school-age population in the event of a school-based or greater community crisis. It is intended to stimulate awareness of the disaster-preparedness process in schools as a part of a global, community-wide preparedness plan.
He added the media, school nurses, school staff, and parents need to be unified in their efforts to support schools in the prevention of, preparedness for, response to, and recovery from a disaster.
Dr Al Hosani said schools are generally considered to be safe havens for thousands of children and the greatest socialising institutions after the family. However, any experiences with natural disasters, such as the threat of pandemic flu, demonstrate the need for schools to be prepared for all hazard or crisis possibilities.
“Schools that are well prepared for an individual emergency involving a student or staff member are more likely to be prepared for complex events such as community disasters,” he said.
Schoolchildren can watch educational TV programmes and participate in various competitions including photo shooting, story writing and painting at www.jahez.ae.
