August 28: Principals, Vice Principals and teachers from Thimphu Dzongkhag are attending a training workshop on the theme reducing disaster risks in schools and making schools safer for the children. The training workshop which began yesterday is organized by Disaster Management Division of the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs.

The Home and Cultural Affairs Minister Lyonpo Minjur Dorji in his opening address said natural hazards cannot be stopped. He said the risks from natural disasters can however be prevented and minimized.

Lyonpo Minjur Dorji said it is necessary to educate on preventive and life saving measures and be better prepared to respond in times of emergencies.

Lyonpo said since school children are vulnerable during disasters, it is important to create awareness on disaster management and preparedness in the schools.

"Education and awareness on disaster management and preparedness in school is crucial. It is our responsibility to ensure the safety of our children, because in times of disasters the preparedness level and response capacity in the schools would save precious lives. Making children aware of disaster and disaster risks would inculcate a culture of resilience and thereby result in safer communities. We have many examples of how school children have saved lives during disaster because of the lessons they have learned in their schools," said the Home Minister.

According to Karma Doma Tshering, Head of the Disaster Management Division of the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs, the training programme is to create awareness on the types of hazards in the country.

She said it is important for the schools to have an effective disaster management plan of their own. She added such program will facilitate them in building an effective Disaster Management Plan.

The participants will also be given first hand training on first aid skills. A mock drill on evacuation will also be conducted to test the evacuation plans and procedures.

The training programme is part of the Earthquake Risk Reduction Project, which will be initially implemented in schools under Thimphu, Chukha and Samdrup Jongkhar.

The project is funded by the government of Japan through the UN Development Program.