Gondjé! We are prepared!

ECW Funding Supports Disaster Preparedness Training in Chad

By Education Cannot Wait

January 13^th, 2022

Adapted story from the field. Special contribution by UNICEF Chad (View original)

In a sixth grade classroom in southern Chad, a signal rings out: "Gondjé!” When they hear this, the whole class jumps to action. This call is a secret code that warns them of imminent danger. The teacher remains calm and tries to pacify the students, all of whom are on high alert.

In a scenario worthy of an action film, the students begin to move quickly to take shelter. They have a safe place identified that they are instructed to go to during a crisis. Hand in hand, everyone makes sure no one is left behind, and they all escape the classroom. Once out of danger, the class can finally breathe. Everyone is safe, the hardest part is now behind them.

Welcome to the Gondjé School, where you just witnessed an emergency evacuation drill. This exercise, conducted as part of the school-based disaster risk reduction programme, prepares students to get out safely and quickly in crisis or emergency situations. This drill is a component of Education Cannot Wait (ECW)’s Multi-Year Resilience Programme (MYRP) in Chad that works to increase access to learning by making schools safer.

Armand, a teacher at the Gondjé School, writes instructions for students during disaster preparedness training. © UNICEF CHAD/2021/FrankDejongh

Just a few kilometres from the Central African Republic, this school hosts both refugee and host community children who live around the camp. This area is remote, meaning the proximity of help is unreliable or even non-existent. Therefore, it is essential to be prepared for all circumstances, especially potential risks.

"Whenever there is a dangerous situation, we know what to do. The teacher and our classmate François are there to guide us, help us not to be afraid and get us out safely. " ~Rosine, 13, student at Gondjé School

Once in the schoolyard, the evacuation continues. The line is closed by the teacher, who makes sure he leaves no one behind. © UNICEF CHAD/2021/Frank Dejongh

A multi-dimensional crisis

Chad faces a multidimensional humanitarian crisis, including struggles with forced migration, food insecurity, malnutrition and health emergencies. The country, whose neighboring states are impacted by ongoing conflict and violence, is home to over 900,000 refugees, internally displaced persons, asylum seekers and at-risk individuals.

Climate change has amplified these risks. Lake Chad shrunk by over 90% in the last 60 years, drought, desertification and spiking temperatures are all triggering displacement, limiting economic development and fueling instability in across the region.

The combination of these factors puts significant strain on the country's systems which are already struggling. For education, these crises threaten learning continuity and teachers must be prepared for potential disasters.

ECW, the United Nations global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises, funded the disaster preparedness training as part of the multi-year programme that invested $21 million into Chad in addition to an initial $10 million investment. Working with the Ministry of National Education and Civic Promotion (MENPC), 285 teachers, including 35 women, from 37 schools in the Logone Oriental province received instructions to prepare for emergency situations. This training was also provided to 285 teachers, including 43 women, in Lac province. Between these two regions, they supervise over 50,000 children, including nearly 22,000 girls.

Students await directions during the training sessions. © UNICEF CHAD/2021/Frank Dejongh

Addressing conflicts and disasters

Through this training, the teachers were able to familiarize themselves with the Conflicts/Disasters Risk Reduction approach, which is the basis for the development of response plans in schools. Thanks to the teaching aids provided to them, they in turn are able to cascade the knowledge learned to their students.

"I am the guardian of my classmates' lives. In case of danger, I am the one who gives the signal and helps direct them to a safe place." ~François, 15, pupil at Gondjé school

Following the training programme, teachers are asked to prepare lesson plans and deliver the course in their schools. They identify one or more students to recognize warning signs and lead others if they get split up. After these students are trained, they run drills to ensure that they are ready for any scenario that may come their way.

“With this course, we are prepared. We have the advantage of being able to control the children and guide them if a disaster or incident that requires evacuation happens, as what happens elsewhere can also happen here.” ~Armand, sixth grade teacher at the Gondjé Refugee Camp School

As the practical exercise begins under the direction of the teacher, the pupils follow his instructions to the letter. © UNICEF CHAD/2021/Frank Dejongh

Healthy minds, healthy bodies

ECW funding in Chad goes beyond disaster preparedness training. The teachers in Lac and Logone Oriental provinces have received and delivered courses on COVID-19, ensuring that preventive measures are applied in the schools. Additionally, ECW supports school feeding programmes to address malnutrition, utilizes distance learning opportunities for hard-to-reach students, provides mental health and psychosocial support services and strengthens school infrastructures.

ECW-funded programmes are designed to increase the functionality of the schools to better meet the needs of students and the communities. The disaster preparedness training, along with the additional resources, ensures that these 50,000 students have a safer, stronger and more resilient learning environment.

The training sessions build an environment where students can learn safely. © UNICEF CHAD/2021/Frank Dejongh

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