Storm Eta Emergency Response in Guatemala

Following the volcano eruption, many Guatemalan communities identified a lack of preparedness as a potential risk. According to the World Risk Index of 2017, Guatemala is fourth highest regarding risk to natural disasters. As such, IsraAID has worked on the ground with its local partnerships to develop capacity building programs that bolster readiness for potential future challenges.

Schools represent an ideal location for hosting these programs. It's a natural meeting point for a variety of demographic groups from a given community, and in the specific case of Guatemala, many schools served in the past as shelters and meeting points during the crisis and throughout the recovery period.

In order to best prepare for emergency situations, the IsraAID Disaster Risk Reduction program organizes the school community around the preventive measures that need to be taken. Creating a culture of prevention and care where potential hazards are identified and mitigated allows communities to bounce back better following crises.

Marleny is 37 old and has been teaching at Cañaveral Primary School for seven years and had never participated in a Disaster Risk Reducation training program before getting involved in this program.

“I know now how vulnerable our country is to natural disasters and that is why we need to take action to look after our students”. She remarks that one of the most meaningful take-aways gained through the program is the importance of making the class a place where students can share their emotions and feelings, especially while facing difficult situations. Through the program, she added, she has developed a sharper sensitivity to risk and threats that might affect her and her students’ safety.

“Now I feel more prepared to face situations that beforehand, I had never even considered. I can teach my students to take measures that both prevent, and answer to natural threats”.

From the group of 30 trained teachers from the Escuintla department, Marleny volunteered to conduct a “best practices session” in the frame of a Risk Management Training organized by the local Ministry of Education. Together with two other teachers that participated in IsraAID's pilot program, she led one of the activities for 50 teachers, explaining how important is to involve students in activities that foment prevention culture, especially because Guatemala's high vulnerability to natural disasters.

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