Sri Lanka: teaching disaster risk management in Sri Lanka's schools - experience since the 2004 tsunami

This publication outlines Sri Lanka's new approach to dealing with natural hazards in the context of disaster risk management. Issues addressed: (i) the need for education in disaster risk management and Sri Lanka's policy of teaching disaster safety in schools; (ii) the 'Disaster Risk Management & Psycho-social Care' project; (iii) results from the project, including educational facilities being better prepared for emergencies; and (iv) factors for success, including motivating political decision-makers, coordinating inter- and intra-ministerial cooperation, and utilising existing structures and processes to integrate disaster safety integration.