REGIONAL ANALYSIS ON DISASTER RISK REDUCTION EDUCATION IN THE

ASIA PACIFIC REGION IN THE CONTEXT OF HFA PRIORITY 3

IMPLEMENTATION

Bangkok, March 2009Prepared for UNISDR Asia Pacific by Hoa P Tran (Ph.D.)

Context of the Analysis• Hyogo Framework for Action requires periodic

reviews of progress.– Countries submit reports on progress in achieving the

HFA 5 priorities

• Bangkok Action Agenda recommended 5 areas for action to guide the region in implementing HFA priority 3– Education Task Force members conduct mapping out

exercise to outline achievements to date in implementing Bangkok Action Agenda

Purpose of the Analysis

• Assess key achievements and trends in national and regional progress in promoting DRR education

• Identify major challenges and gaps• Propose recommendations for future priorities to

ensure impact of education activities with regard to shift in behaviour

• Contribute to the global thematic report on using information, knowledge and education to build a culture of safety and resilience

• Contribute to the education discussion at the 2nd Global Platform on DRR.

Source of information

• Report from the ETF mapping exercise • 18 National progress reports on the

implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action (Education sections)

• UNISDR publications on good practices• Official documents from the 2nd and 3rd Asian

Ministerial Conferences on DRR• Additional available documents published by

ETF members.

Scope of AnalysisThe Analysis is an attempt to capture achievements

and key trends in the region’s progress in DRR education promotion.

It is based only on available information, and is not a comprehensive account of all educational and research activities on DRR in different localities and countries

Achievement, trends, challenges and gaps identified are indicative, not exhaustive

Recommendations do not attempt to address all gaps identified, but focus on the ultimate objective of bring about a shift in behaviour (ref. TOR)

Key findings – Achievement and Trends

Areas with most progressRegional and national advocacy for policy change

towards DRR educationDevelopment of tools and guidelinesDocumentation of good practicesStrengthening of regional networks

Achievement and Trends- some specifics (1)

Integrating DRR into school educationAssessment of existing programmes, materials,

activities and stakeholders for integrating DRR in the curriculum (16 countries)

Development of new, innovative and interactive learning approaches, materials for teacher training

Development of Process Guidelines on mainstreaming DRR in the education sector

Intensified consultation between regional, national and civil society organisations

Accelerated advocacy for DRR integration in the education sector

Achievement and Trends- some specifics (2)

Strengthening DRR education for community resilience Extension of school-based DRR activities to involve parents (esp.

in school retrofitting and construction) Community-based disaster management enhanced

accompanied by awareness raising on the importance of DRR education and community involvement

Increased regional support in developing methodologies for ensuring gender balance in community-based DRR activities

Acceleration of documentation of good practices and attention to value of indigenous knowledge

Emerging shift from focus on disaster management to DRR Improvement of information sharing between region and

countries Progress in tools development to assess socio-economic impact

of disaster (disaster impact calculator, further development of vulnerability assessment)

Achievement and Trends- some specifics (3)

Making schools saferHigh level recognition of the necessity to make school

hazard-resistantProgress in initial stages – setting minimum standards,

developing guidelines and tools for retrofitting and new construction, capacity building on school design and construction techniques, assessment of multiple hazard impact on schools, etc.

Evidence-based advocacy for national programmes for school safety

Achievement and Trends- some specifics (4)

Empowering children for disaster risk reductionHigh-level advocacy for recognition of children’s

role in DRR educationIncreased efforts in teacher training on multiple

topics – disaster safety in school, disaster preparedness, coping with disaster, psychosocial first-aid

Achievement and Trends- some specifics (5)

National and Regional approachesHigh level of recognition of and commitment to

DRR education in the region Building and strengthening networks and

information sharing mechanismsHigh-level advocacy for inclusion of DRR in the

curriculum and for school safetyExpansion of influence and support of ETF to

countries

Key challenges and gaps encountered(1)

In integrating DRR into school education

Lack of national strategic plans for DRR education, resulting in sporadic nature of initiatives

Generally weak institutional and technical capacityLingering resistanceLack indicators for monitoring the progress and

effectiveness of integrating DRR into curriculumNeeds and reality of out-of-school children and

children with disabilities not yet taken into account

Key challenges and gaps encountered(2)

In strengthening DRR education for community resilienceParticipatory mechanisms are rare in community-based

programmesRole and participation of women limited Lack of a bottom-up approach, predominance of top-down

approachCommunity-focused projects are few and with limited

geographical coverage Behaviour Change Communication strategies are absent Information, research results, innovation not yet reaching

local authorities and community Weak vertical and horizontal coordination

Key challenges and gaps encountered(3)

In making schools safer

Challenge in translating political commitment into reality

Small number of current construction and retrofitting projects

Needs of children and staff with disabilities not yet taken into account

Little evidence of public-private partnership

Key challenges and gaps encountered(4)

In empowering children for disaster risk reduction

Few child-led programmes for DRR educationGenuine involvement of children still rare Little investment in expanding children’s

knowledge and skills on DRR and recovery

Key challenges and gaps encountered(5)

In using national and regional approaches

Insufficient attention to seeking public-private partnership for DRR education

Recommendations for future education activities

(to ensure concrete impact of future education activities in vulnerable communities and visible shift in behaviour)

1. Support for development of national strategic plans for DRR education

2. Deploy complementary options to mainstream DRR education

3. Promote participatory approaches in disaster risk reduction education programmes

4. Building public private partnerships for DRR education promotion

Thank you