Author(s)

M. Yasuda, C. J. Yi, R. Nouchi, A. Suppasri, F. Imamura

Abstract

During large-scale natural disasters, vulnerable groups, such as children and senior citizens, frequently constitute a high percentage of the deaths and/or injuries that occur. To survive these disasters and recover adequately, it is imperative that organizations train for and develop disaster prevention initiatives. The International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS) of Tohoku University deployed a disaster education team to enhance local community resilience and reduce the impact of disasters among elementary students in the Philippines after the destruction of Typhoon Haiyan. This educational program consisted of several workshops for children in the higher grade levels of elementary school due to their strong backgrounds and interest in science. We conducted disaster education workshops at four elementary schools in areas affected by Typhoon Haiyan. Approximately 200 students participated in these disaster education workshops and practical drills. After the lectures, positive attitudes about disaster education at the three schools increased. Because large-scale disasters can be accompanied by potentially diminished government assistance, this educational program seeks to improve disaster-related self-resiliency through the development of survival capabilities.

Keywords

practical education, disaster adaptation, decision making, evacuation risk communication