Quake awareness raised in Mandalay schools

About 100 schools in the Mandalay region that have the highest likelihood of being hit by an earthquake were selected to conduct an earthquake awareness training programme in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), said U Aye Min Thu, Director of Mandalay Region Department of Disaster Management. The project named “Building Resilience in Earthquake-prone areas in Myanmar Through Better Preparedness and Response” consists of earthquake awareness training and related activities. A workshop was held at Hotel Sakura Princess in Chanayethasan Township in Mandalay on 10 April, at which 100 schools in the Mandalay Region were chosen for the training.

“According to seismologists, the Mandalay Region is one of the earthquake-prone regions. If an earthquake were to occur,, it could affect public areas and schools. If students do not respond in a poitive way and do not have awareness about earthquakes, there will be huge loss of life because of earthquakes. Therefore, we will provide the earthquake awareness and practice how to respond to earthquakes with the assistance of UNDP”, he added. There are three steps that should be conducted if an earthquake occurs when students are in school. They should respond by leaving the classroom, leaving the building and staying in a safe place.

“Earthquake awareness training is not enough for the student. If an earthquake happens in reality, nobody knows how to respond. Therefore, we will practice those steps. We will practice with the children on how to respond in the classroom, and then, how to leave the classroom. And then, how to reach their parents, said U Aye Min Thu.

“We have already chosen six states and regions that are situated close to the Sagaing fault line. The project will cover about 500 schools form those six states and regions for earthquake awareness activities.

This programme aims to reduce risks during earthquakes”, said Daw Mai May Htar Phwy Bob, project manager of the Building Earthquake Resilience Project of the UNDP.

Aung Thant Khine

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar