UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

04/26/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 04/25/2024 19:11

Education in emergencies' training begins to support the Guerrero’s population in Mexico after Hurricane

Coyuca de Benítez, Guerrero, April 22, 2024 - UNESCO began its support activities for the Guerrero Secretariat of Education (SEG) through training workshops on the methodology for education in emergencies Reconstruir sin ladrillos (Rebuilding without bricks), and sharing its experience earned in different countries that faced natural disasters and social crises.

Over 300 teaching figures, educator trainers, administrative staff, and school supervisors from primary to higher education institutions in Acapulco, Coyuca de Benítez, and Chilpancingo participate in these workshops.

UNESCO/Juan Luis M. Acevez

The activities started with a formal ceremony at the "Agustín Yáñez" General Junior High School, during which the UNESCO Representative in Mexico, Andrés Morales, commented that currently, all communities are vulnerable to experiencing emergencies, especially due to climate change. Therefore, education is key for communities to have the tools to be resilient and recover from them. He emphasized that this should be considered an opportunity for transformation and improvement, not a return to the pre-disaster stage.

UNESCO/Juan Luis M. Acevez

Sharing his experience after the impact of Otis, Guerrero's Secretary of Education, Marcial Rodríguez Saldaña, highlighted that most schools have returned to in-person classes thanks to the joint effort of teachers and families. He reiterated his commitment to continue accelerating the actions undertaken by the federal and state governments for the population and families' recovery.

The methodology developed by UNESCO, based on its extensive international experience in educational response to crises and disasters, is a tool for school communities to optimize their resources to heal traumas through various emotional resources and integrate curricular adaptations into school practice.

UNESCO/Juan Luis M. Acevez

UNESCO in Mexico has adapted the methodology to support the country at different times, such as the 2017 earthquakes and the COVID-19 pandemic and is now doing so to address the effects of Hurricane Otis. Additionally, it will launch an adaptation of the methodology into a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC).

UNESCO/Juan Luis M. Acevez

As part of the strategy, UNESCO is also preparing guidelines to integrate emergency education content on climate change at the upper secondary level, along with a methodology for participatory risk assessment. The Mexico Representation is also working on projects of cultural spaces and memory sites.

Speed up actions

Learn about UNESCO's actions for the restoration and recovery of coastal areas of Guerrero. Invest or be a donor!

Go