Project Sponsored by UNICEF Presented By Camille Beckford Project Manager (ODPEM )

1. Protecting Children in Emergencies by Strengthening the Capacity of Schools and their Surrounding Communities to Respond to Disasters Project Sponsored by UNICEF Presented By Camille Beckford Project Manager (ODPEM) 5th Annual Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management 6th -10th December, 2010 Montego Bay, Jamaica

2. Presentation Outline • Rationale of the Project • Project Overview • Partnership Approach • Resource Material • Training Conducted • Project Sustainability

3. Rights of the Child • Every child 0-18 is entitled to the right to survival(food, shelter, clothing, clean water and access to medical services) development ( including the right to an education, play leisure), protection from exploitation ( abuse, and neglect) and participation in decisions that affect their lives. UN Convention on the Rights of a Child

4. Rationale for the Project Disasters present a direct threat to the fulfillment of children’s rights and can in a very short period of time make it difficult to ensure that the rights of children are protected. The project was initiated after the 2004 and 2005 Hurricane season where Jamaica’s vulnerability to natural and man made hazards was highlighted. 2004 – Hurricane Ivan 2005- Hurricanes Dennis and Emily

5. Protecting Children by Strengthening the capacity of schools and Surrounding Communities to Respond to Disasters • Project began in 2007. Implemented by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management(ODPEM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education,Sponsored by UNICEF • Phase 1 30 Institutions developed Disaster Management Plans • Phase 2 53 Institutions to develop Disaster Plans Distribution of 2 way radios Development of Emergency Contact Sheet Institutions refer to Schools, Childcare facilities and Special Education Institutions.

6. Protecting Children by Strengthening the capacity of schools and Surrounding Communities to Respond to Disasters Phase 3 Project Deliverables • Train 41 schools and child care institution professionals in Shelter Management, Disaster Management and Community Hazard Mapping. • Train 24 ODPEM Coordinators, Ministry of Education Regional Officers and Principals in Psychosocial Support for Children in Emergencies • Development of Guidelines for Preparation of Emergency Response Teams and Plans • Development of Children's Website • Distribution of 10,000 Emergency Contact Posters for Children • Development of Emergency Contact Posters for the Blind • Train 100 youths for the Preparedness & Emergency Response Corp (PERC) program

7. Partnership Mechanisms • Steering Committee • Terms of Reference for Steering Committee Members • Initial Consultations • Monitoring and Evaluation

8. Collaborating Agencies

9. Key Areas of Collaboration • Forty one Institutions selected by umbrella groups such as Ministry of Education and Child Development Agency • Resource Materials developed through consultations • Specialized Training Conducted through partnerships • Training Database sent to local authorities • Development of National Framework for the provision of Psychosocial support for Children in Emergencies

10. Resource Material

11. Children’s Website

12. Children’s Website

13. Guidelines for the Development of Emergency Preparedness Plans and Teams

14. Emergency Contact Sheets for the Visually Impaired

15. Trainings Conducted

16. Psychosocial Support for children in Emergencies Rationale Need to develop provide and strengthen psychosocial support services for children and their caregivers 76 certified Master Trainers Program continuity • Shelter management workshop • Regional workshops with Guidance Counselors • Workshops within schools and churches with teachers and caregivers • Workshops at the community level

17. Training to Teachers and Caregivers • Hazard Risk Management • Community Hazard Mapping • Basic First Aid

18. Preparedness and Emergency Response Corp (PERC) Rationale There was a need for an increase in the number of human resources especially at the community level to assist in the Disaster Management Process. Age Group Young people ages 14-25 years Grades 10-13 524 youths trained as of July 2010. Training is sponsored by Government of Jamaica (GOJ) , United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF).

19. Role of the Youth in the PERC Program Youths are expected to work at the community level and in their schools safety program • The delivery of First Aid when necessary • Relief Distribution • Emergency Shelter Preparation • Conducting Damage Assessment • Assisting Vulnerable Groups

20. Preparedness and Emergency Response Corp (PERC) Training Conducted • Hazard Risk Management • Light Search & Rescue • Initial Damage Assessment • Shelter Management • Basic First Aid

21. Fire Safety Training

22. Light Search & Rescue

23. Basic First Aid

24. Activities Conducted • Assisted with Parish Disaster Coordinators in Westmoreland with Data Collection after Tropical Storm Nicole. • Members of Zonal Committee in the parish of Portland. • Working with the safety programs in the various institutions.

25. Sustainability of the Project • All Schools to be mandated to have Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans. • Continuation of the Partnership approach with collaborating agencies so that continuous monitoring and development of the project initiatives can continue. • Disaster Risk Reduction Activities with a holistic approach e.g Practical Training Areas and Resource Material so that the can continue to be used after the project has been completed. • Improvement on the structure of the PERC Program at the community level

26. THE END Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) 2-4 Haining Road Kingston 4 Jamaica 1876-906-9674-5 www.odpem.org.jm See you at our Booth Outside!