As part of efforts to strengthen a culture of prevention in schools, the Simex Unit of the General Directorate of Civil Protection (DGPC) organized a week-long series of awareness-raising activities and practical exercises for students and teachers in the Artibonite and North departments.

Launched at the Bardon Marchand National School in Gonaïves, these activities allowed students, teachers, support staff, and parents to participate in training sessions and practical exercises. These interventions focused on appropriate behaviors in emergency situations, particularly in the face of earthquakes, fires, panic, and other threats that could affect schools.

These initiatives aim to strengthen the knowledge and reflexes of students, teachers, and other stakeholders in the education system so they can respond appropriately in the event of an emergency or disaster. They also contribute to promoting a culture of prevention and developing the resilience of school communities.

These activities concluded at the Oswald Durand National High School in Plaine-du-Nord, where students and teachers participated in evacuation drills and practical simulations based on a working version of the school's evacuation plan, which is currently being developed. These exercises allowed for testing safety procedures and familiarizing participants with the actions to take in the event of an emergency or disaster.

The activities were carried out jointly by the General Directorate of Civil Protection and the Ministry of National Education, with logistical support from UNESCO, as part of the project to implement climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction measures in schools in Haiti, funded by the Adaptation Fund.

IH/ iciHaiti