Learning in Times of Disaster

Children have a right to an education, even in times of emergencies. Today, UNICEF in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Organization facilitated a training with fifteen disaster shelter managers. As a part of the training, participants were taught how to identify areas where continued learning in disaster situations can be facilitated.  Participants reviewed the standards of establishing child friendly learning spaces and materials that can be used if a disaster does occur.  Early Childhood Development Education Officer at UNICEF, Denise Robateau, says the training comes after the establishment of emergency protocols.

Denise Robateau

Denise Robateau, Early Childhood Development Education Officer, UNICEF

“UNICEF we are so excited about the training. It is a humanitarian training for emergency responders, humanitarian actors. And we are doing it in partnership with NEMO. And we are working with municipalities, emergency responders in municipalities to just help them to understand more about the rights of children in emergencies. So, the humanitarian actors are learning about protocols for the integrated protection and adolescence in emergencies and disaster situations. Last year we launched the national protocols with nemo after years of reviews and even partnerships to look at the different sectors that we respond in in emergencies. When we talk about sectors we are talking about education, early childhood development, water sanitization hygiene, nutrition, just to name a view. And so, what are standards and the commitments to the vulnerable populations such as boys and girls and women and people with disabilities during the time of emergencies.”