In June 2009, SEEDS Asia conducted needs assessment at schools in Dalla and Twante townships, as well as in four villages in Labutta township. During the assessment, they visited and discussed with township education officers. These local stakeholders returned positive feedbacks and showed great interest in conducting school disaster risk reduction education in schools within their areas.

Using semi-structured interviews, risk mapping and focus group discussion, the needs assessment of SEEDS Asia revealed the truth about poor conditions of Nargis-affected schools. Even a year after Nargis, in the midst of rehabilitation phase, most of the schools are still in very bad conditions and pose dangers to the children. SEEDS Asia found that at least in one school in Dala, the teachers had to vacate the classrooms whenever strong winds come across the area.

In the following month, SEEDS Asia will determine target groups of residents through a survey. They will also conduct a focus group discussion with the partners at the project sites. SEEDS Asia expects to prepare the capacity building manual in school safety initiative by end of July.

School safety initiative will promote a culture of disaster safety in school by building the capacity of local community where the school is located. In disaster-prone areas, school buildings must meet tough performances standards to withstand the impact of hazards and become models of risk reduction practices in the community as well as evacuation centers at village level.

As part of the capacity building scheme of the initiative, the school children will be taught to react naturally to disasters and the teachers need to be trained to teach the students effectively. The long term goal of school safety initiative is to have younger generations who are sensitive to crisis situations and demand a safer, sustainable future.