UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

10/13/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/14/2024 08:20

UNESCO Hosts a Roundtable Discussion on Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in the Education Sector in Yemen

To protect children from disasters, countries must consider their vulnerabilities and needs when designing national and local disaster risk reduction strategies. Equally important is empowering children and youth and providing them with "the space and means to contribute to disaster risk reduction," as called for by the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. This aligns with the calls to action in the political declaration of the midterm review of the Sendai Framework, which encourage "full, equal, meaningful, and inclusive participation" of youth and the promotion of a "culture of disaster prevention."

Empowering Youth for a Resilient Future

The event brought together more than 60 representatives from multiple sectors, including government ministries, civil society, and international organizations, to discuss the integration of DRR strategies into Yemen's education system. One of the core messages was the need to empower children and youth through education to become active participants in building a resilient future. Speakers highlighted how equipping students with knowledge and practical skills-such as emergency preparedness and first aid-can help protect them and their communities from the risks posed by natural disasters.

"The education sector in Yemen faces immense challenges due to both natural disasters and conflicts, yet education remains the cornerstone for building a sustainable and resilient society. At UNESCO, we are committed to ensuring that schools not only serve as centers of learning but also as safe havens where students and teachers are prepared to respond to crises. By adopting the Comprehensive School Safety Framework, we can work together to safeguard the future of Yemen's children and youth, empowering them to be agents of resilience in their communities", noted Salah Khaled, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen.

During the discussions, the Ministry of Education emphasized the importance of integrating disaster risk education into school curricula. The aim is to build a generation of students who are not only aware of the risks but also capable of responding effectively when disasters occur. The Ministry also underlined the need for comprehensive school safety plans, which include regular evacuation drills, early warning systems, and robust infrastructure to ensure schools remain safe during emergencies.

UNESCO

Key Recommendations and Collaborative Efforts

Despite the many challenges facing Yemen's education sector, participants identified key priorities and produced important recommendations. These include enhancing institutional capacity, improving school infrastructure to withstand natural disasters, and increasing public awareness of disaster risk management. There was also a strong call to endorse the Comprehensive School Safety Framework (CSSF), which has been instrumental in ensuring safe learning environments worldwide.

Additionally, the Ministry of Water and Environment shared insights on its ongoing effort to improve Yemen's resilience and preparedness through governance reforms and national risk assessments.

UNESCO's Ongoing DRR Project in Historic Cities

The roundtable also highlighted UNESCO's ongoing efforts in "building climate-resilient communities in Yemen's historic cities", such as Sana'a and Shibam. These cities are highly vulnerable to natural hazards, particularly floods. UNESCO, with the support of the Government of Japan, has implemented early warning systems (EWS), developed flood risk management tools and conducted community-level awareness and trainings to help protect these culturally significant sites and the communities around them.

This initiative has not only focused on protecting the physical heritage of the cities but also on strengthening the resilience of local communities by involving them in disaster preparedness activities.

UNESCO
UNESCO
UNESCO
UNESCO

UNESCO's Global Expertise in DRR

At the global level, UNESCO has long been a leader in promoting disaster risk reduction, particularly in the education sector. As a co-chair of the Global Alliance for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in the Education Sector (GADRRRES), UNESCO has been instrumental in advancing the Comprehensive School Safety Framework (2022-2030), which aims to make schools safer from disasters and ensure that students are equipped with the skills to protect themselves and their communities.

Through GADRRRES, UNESCO works with global partners to share good practices and build capacity for disaster preparedness in education systems worldwide. The organization's extensive experience in DRR enables it to tailor international strategies to local contexts, such as Yemen, where disaster risks are exacerbated by conflict and climate change. UNESCO's global expertise continues to guide its work in Yemen, helping local communities and schools better prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural hazards.