SVGTU, NEMO host ‘Disaster Preparedness in the eyes of the Youth’

“Disaster preparedness is not just for adults, it is essential for young people as well”. This was the message disseminated by NEMO at a workshop held on Saturday, September 24, 2011.{{more}}

The workshop was an initiative of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers Co-operative Credit Union Ltd (SVGTCCU) Youth Group in collaboration with NEMO. The objective is to educate young people about the dangers of natural and manmade disasters and provide them with the necessary information to effectively respond to such disasters.

The facilitator, Houlda Peters, carefully outlined the various situations that can lead to national disasters and challenged the participants to analyse and suggest ways in which youths can play a meaningful role. To complete this task, each person was given a booklet entitled ‘Family Emergency Plan’ from which they are to carve out a plan of action for their respective families and submit it to NEMO.

The historic clippings and discussion on La Soufriere also generated much interest. Many of the youths were exposed for the first time to the challenges and effects of the 1902 and 1979 eruptions. The presentation was so impactful that the SVGTCCU Youth Group will be planning an expedition to La Soufriere soon.

The Workshop attracted representatives from various schools, including the SVGTCCU’s Co-op sponsored schools and other young persons. The SVGTCCU’s Education Committee representative, Mrs. Thelma Charles, highlighted the Youth Group’s objectives and encouraged them to be true to their theme by ‘Leading a way for the future’.

The group’s next activity is scheduled for October 15, 2011, at the SVGTCCU’s Head Office in Kingstown.