Curaçao Red Cross helps students learn about disaster prevention

Fifteen young people were injured May 27 as an "explosion" rocked the Laura Hart School in Curaçao.

Three fire brigades, two emergency ambulances, and four Curaçao Red Cross ambulances rushed to the public school. Police officers, 30 Red Cross volunteers, and a unit of Skuchami, which deals with psychological health, were there to assist the injured and affected.

Victims were transported to a nearby church to be attended to, while teachers and other students were evacuated during the emergency to the safety of the Red Cross post at Suffisant.

The "explosion", however, was actually a simulated exercise organized to close the five-week Reskate Project, which aims to educate children about disaster prevention and preparedness.

Curaçao Red Cross volunteer Rubia Britt came up with the idea for the project and with the assistance of other Red Cross volunteers, implemented the project at the school where Britt works as a third grade teacher.

The project used the Riskland tool, a package of games and projects produced and developed by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office, the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (Regional Unit for Latin America and the Caribbean ) and UNICEF.

During her free time Britt translated the Riskland tool into Papiamento, Curaçao's national language, and then developed a five-week programme for primary school children, 6 - 13 years old.

Topics such as natural disasters and man-made disasters, the importance of caring for the environment, and helping others in need, were discussed. During the implementation period, math, writing and reading classes focused on these topics.

The Netherlands Representation in Curaçao contributed US$5,620 (10,000 ANG) to develop attractive materials for the students participating in the project. Each student received a copy of the Riskland tool and other materials. Two persons from the Netherlands Representation were actually present at the simulated exercise and were satisfied with the work done.

Curaçao media, initially thinking a real explosion had taken place, gave great attention to the exercise, which was well prepared and coordinated by representatives of the different cooperating organizations, including the Red Cross.

People living near the school were informed by flyers as well as through an information evening prior to the simulation.

After the fifth week, based on the enthusiasm of students, the project was extended for another two weeks. In the sixth week, students undertook a neighbourhood-clean up in cooperation with the Curaçao Waste Management Company. An exhibition of art work made by the children during the project was also mounted in the school hall.

The Curaçao Red Cross is currently working on a proposal for potential donors to fund the introduction of the project in ten other schools. Plans are also being made to develop another proposal to be sent to DIPECHO to fund the project in the six islands of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba.