Disaster Preparedness Programmes

Disaster Preparedness refers to measures taken to prepare for reducing the effects of a disaster. That is, to predict and, where possible, prevent disasters, mitigate their impact on vulnerable populations, and respond to effectively cope with their consequences. EXIN Social brings for you the role disaster preparedness programmes can play in the event of crisis.

More than 200 million people are affected by disasters each year. Disaster preparedness programmes helps to protect yourself, your family and your community and our world. Emergencies come in many forms, and they may require anything from a brief absence from your home to permanent evacuation.

Essential preparedness, planning and mitigation are key factors in ensuring that historic properties are properly identified, evaluated, and treated immediately after a disaster occurs and in the recovery period afterwards. While disasters may be unpredictable, important steps can be taken before a disaster occurs to minimize the threat of damage.  Disaster preparedness is everyone’s responsibility.Although it is important for local governments and jurisdictions to implement planning and mitigation measures before a disaster or emergency occurs, many of these measures should also be implemented proactively by local communities or neighborhood organizations or by individual owners of historic properties.

Prepare a disaster preparedness kit. This kit should consist of blankets, medical supplies, water, torch-light, food among others.

Compile a list of key emergency contacts. Determine which agency or what person is responsible for what activities and make the information widely available. Maintain adequate emergency supplies.

Arrange a safe haven for your pets in the event of evacuation. Do not leave your pets behind. Remember, if it isn’t safe for you, it isn’t safe for your pets. They may become trapped or escape and be exposed to numerous life-threatening hazards.

Always remember, catastrophe can strike anytime, so it is vital to remain prepared. Although no one can stand before mother-nature, but the least we can do is be prepared to minimize our losses.

Role Of Education In Sustainable Development

United Nations declared 2005 – 2014 as the decade for Education for Sustainable Development. Now we all know that for the all-round development of a person or even a nation, education is extremely important. But how does education help in sustainable development? EXIN Social is here to answer this query.

Education for Sustainable Development means adopting a more holistic approach to education. This allows every child to acquire the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values necessary to shape a sustainable future. 

Education can build lasting change – that is, sustainable change, because it is owned by the learner and reaches hearts and minds. Yet in the sustainable development debate, the key role of education in realizing sustainable development is often ignored, downplayed and underestimated – or viewed in isolation from the other instruments of change. Education is rarely regarded as a major factor in making the world more sustainable, and its potential is overlooked.

Education in sustainable development incorporates key environmental challenges like climate change into core subjects like math, science and art, and involves modifying the teaching-learning process to a more all-encompassing approach. Students are thus able to relate what they learn in the classroom to their real life actions, and will be in a better position to take the lead in changing behaviors and adopting sustainable lifestyles.

Good quality education is an essential tool for achieving a more sustainable world. This was emphasized at the UN World Summit in Johannesburg in 2002 where the reorientation of current education systems was outlined as key to sustainable development. Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) promotes the development of the knowledge, skills, understanding, values and actions which are required to create a sustainable world, which ensures environmental protection and conservation, promotes social equality and social equity and encourages economic sustainability. Equality is treating everyone the same while equity is giving everyone what they need to be successful.

It should be noted that families and communities can play a vital role in linking education with sustaining development. Teaching children to reduce waste, to recycle regularly and to opt for public transport are some of the many lessons that will broaden the contribution of education in sustainable development and much more.