Implementation of Disaster Safe Schools in Lombok

#LombokBangkitKembali - After the Lombok earthquake, Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) continues to carry out disaster-safe school programs as a form of disaster mitigation. This is done considering the small earthquakes are still happening in several Lombok areas.

In the disaster safe school program, WVI is working with the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of North Lombok Regency (KLU) to teach children and schools to protect themselves when an earthquake occurs. This activity was carried out in 15 WVI service schools in North Lombok Regency (KLU).

The disaster safe school program is carried out for 2 days. On the first day, the school received dissemination about child protection. This activity was attended by student guardians, community leaders, committee leaders, teachers, and school principals. On the second day, there was socialization on how to protect yourself during earthquakes and other disasters, and a disaster-safe school simulation was held involving all students from grade 1 to grade 6, as well as teachers and principals.

Nehemia Jimmy Ahalamani, Child in Emergency Specialist of WVI said that this activity aims to reduce the risk of disasters in schools. In this activity, each teacher, principal, students, and school guards have their respective roles and functions in the process of rescuing school residents. In addition, they also play a role in mapping the potential risks that may occur during a disaster.

"In disaster safe school activities, teachers and principals map the risks that may occur during disasters both inside and outside the classroom. In addition, they determine the evacuation route and the gathering point," said Jimmy.

One of the schools targeted for this activity is SDN 3 Jenggala. A few days after the disaster-safe school activities at this school there was an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.2. When an earthquake occurs, children save themselves as taught.

"During the earthquake yesterday, children immediately came out as taught by WVI. They exit through the evacuation route and gather at the agreed gathering point. We, the teachers, when they came out were surprised to see that they all immediately applied what WVI had taught," explained Edi, one of the teachers at SDN 3 Jenggala.

Until now WVI has completed a disaster safe school simulation activity in 15 targeted schools. This activity is supported by Aktion Deutschland Hilft (ADH) Germany for people in Lombok.
 

Written by: Zara Fitria (Accountability Officer), Lombok Earthquake Emergency Response