“Safe School” Disaster Risk Reduction Discussion Platform, 17 - 18 Nov 2016, Ankara, Turkey

The event was hosted and organized by AFAD (Republic of Turkey Prime Ministry Disaster and Emergency Management Authority) with an objective to facilitate better understanding of DRR in the scope of “Safe School” initiative and illustrate the role and interoperability of different stakeholders (Ministries of Education, Disaster and Emergency Management Authorities of the SEE in application of DRR measures in a safe environment (e.g. schools).

 

The purpose of the two-day discussion platform was to provide the opportunity for information and experience sharing on DRR activities undertaken / to be undertaken under the “Safe School” Initiative. At the same time, by visiting an educational institution in the scope of “Safe School”, the event allowed participants to observe if the objectives of Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) and Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) had been achieved.  
 

The host (AFAD) shared information about the on-going project “Disaster Prepared School Campaign” activities taken in the scope of “Safe School”. The role and interoperability of different governmental institutions and measures taken for structural retrofitting in schools were described by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of National Education, while Istanbul Project Coordination Unit (IPCU) created under İstanbul Provincial Special Administration presented the “Istanbul Seismic Risk Mitigation and Emergency Preparedness Project (ISMEP)”. 
 

In addition, DPPI SEE participants also shared their national experiences on the topic and further discussed good aspects and weaknesses of related activities in the region of South Eastern Europe.
 

Next to a number of Turkish representatives, 13 participants representing seven (7) DPPI SEE members (Albania, BiH, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey) took part in the platform discussions.