Tortola, BVI October 10, 2007 (Department of Disaster Management)- Today the British Virgin Islands joins countries around the world in celebrating International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR Day) under the theme, "Disaster Risk Reduction Begins at School". The two main objectives of the campaign are to promote disaster risk reduction education and to improve school safety by ensuring that schools are build to standards that would make them more resilient to hazards.

In a message given by the Director of the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction Secretariat Salvano Briceno, he stated that the "World Disaster Reduction Campaign 2006-2007 has been under way for a year.  Various initiatives, such as making schools safer, developing educational materials, educating disaster risk reduction at schools and developing training manuals have been carried out worldwide since the campaign was launched in 2006."   He went on to say that "children were and still are among the most vulnerable groups in the society to disasters; they were and still generally are perceived as 'passive victims'.  But successful stories in the current campaign have shown that children can play an active part in disaster risk reduction." Mr. Briceno concluded by saying that "if children can do it, then youths can do it. If children can do it, then adults can do it.  If children can do it then the elderly can do it.  Teaching our children today is empowering the next generation to address disaster risk more effectively tomorrow."

In support of this year's campaign, the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) has carried out a number of activities. 

Among these is a disaster preparedness quiz for Stage 1 to Class 2 students that is being aired on all local radio stations during the month of October.  An edition of DDM Radio was produced and it features Dr. Brian Penn, Director of Curriculum Development.  In addition, persons can also tune into the department's television programme Focus, where Honorable Andrew Fahie, Minister of Education and Culture will be giving updates regarding the retrofitting of schools and the creation of school specific disaster preparedness plans.  The highlight of this year's campaign will be a message from His Excellency Governor David Pearey that will be broadcasted via all local televison and radio stations.

IDDR Day has been celebrated locally since 1989, when the United Nations General Assembly designated the second Wednesday of October International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction.  The day is observed as a vehicle to promote a global culture of natural disaster reduction, including disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness.

Contact:
Natasha Lettsome, Information & Training Manager
Department of Disaster Management
Tortola, BVI
Telephone:  (284) 494-4499
E-Mail:  NLettsome@gov.vg