TEACHERS and students of the Arapaima Primary School in Region 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) have benefited from infrastructural development and training in delivering disaster preparedness and response.

The initiative by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) cost US$13,500.
“The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) in collaboration with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Caricom/Brazil/ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) – Living Schools Initiative continues to extend the mandate of Disaster Risk Management (DRM) across Guyana,” a CDC release said yesterday.
According to the release, the infrastructural developments at the school included building an additional washroom facility, and augmenting the water storage and management facilities. The project ran from January 21 to January 25, and the new facility was handed over to Headmistress, Ms. Kateri Joseph.
Twenty teachers from the region were trained as shelter managers, while 170 students of the 4th, 5th, and 6th Grades received training in basic disaster preparedness and response, and Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH).
Additionally, a school emergency plan was developed, and the school building is usually used as an emergency shelter during adverse events in the Rupununi.
Those present when the new facility was handed over were Regional Executive Officer, Mrs. Claire Singh; Regional Education Officer, Urline Crandon; and Director General of the CDC, Colonel Chabilall Ramsarup.
The release also stated that a similar project will be undertaken during the year at another school in the area.