(MAY – DECEMBER, 2012) FUNDED BY THE NORWEGIAN RED CROSS (US$120,689.00)

This project focused on conducting follow up work with previously established Community Disaster Response Team (CDRT) members in the Jane Usher Community, updating Community Emergency Plans and carrying out a table top simulation in coordination with NEMO.

From July-August, 2012 the project focused on conducting a summer camp for children in the Jane Usher Community. Special focus of the camp was on the children having fun and receiving education on topics such as PSP, First Aid and DRR, while developing a culture of peace and dignity. The summer camp lasted for 6 days, over a period of 2 weeks. With the help of the Jane Usher CDRTs 85 children between the ages of 9-13 were recruited and an average of 50 children attended each day. The success of the summer camp was measured by evident behavior changes in many of the youth during and by the end of the camp.

The children learned a variety of topics including disaster preparedness, violence prevention, peace and dignity. Among other arts and crafts, the children were asked to create their ideal neighbourhood and came up with very innovative displays.

On the last day of the summer camp parents and friends visited and witnessed the children’s good performances. Awards were distributed for good performances and good behavior.

The largest component of the project was the protected schools program with 4 schools selected in consultation with the Ministry of Education. Participants (students, teachers and parents) were trained to respond to any type of disasters. 5 brigades were formed in each school, PSP, First Aid, Evacuation and Shelter, Fire Safety and General Safety. Each school will receive school safety equipment, which includes first aid kits, fire extinguishers, megaphones, and miscellaneous school supplies. Each school developed their School Safety Plan under the BRC’s guidance, to be approved by the Ministry of Education. This program saw the strengthening of relationships among BRC, partners and stakeholders as facilitation of training was shared.

At the end of the program all schools were invited to a 1-day field trip to the Baboon Sanctuary in Bermudian Landing, where they participated in games and learned about the culture of the area and reviewed what they had learned in the program.

The final component was the implementation of 1 micro-project in each of the 4 schools. Selection and the prioritization of micro-projects were done in consultation with the schools and based on most urgent need.

There were 654 persons who benefited directly from the project activities. Indirect beneficiaries through the schools were 1,545; in Jane Usher Community 798 families or 1,536 persons and in the wider population of Belize, approximately 70,800. This includes every medium utilized to disseminate information during the lifetime of the project.