Preparedness
Long-term solutions to be safer from disasters are never purely technical. It's equally important to inspire safer practices. Disaster preparedness starts with understanding what could go wrong and how proactive steps could prevent tragedies. Families can develop emergency plans and “go bags.” Schoolchildren can practice with drills. Medical staff can think through how they will manage during crises.
To motivate action, we work with communities to communicate information that is clear, relevant to daily life and actionable. Our messaging is science-based and considers the local context.
Projects
Timoun an Aksyon (Kids in Action)
Cap-Haitien, Haiti
In their own voice and style, youth share new knowledge about extreme earthquake and coastal risks and how to take action for disaster resilience.
Disaster Preparedness for Schools in Turkey
Turkey
This innovative online disaster awareness curriculum, including self-study and teacher training, scaled nationwide and reached remote corners of Turkey.
Kathmandu Priority Hospitals Seismic Assessment
Kathmandu, Nepal
Prioritized short and long-term changes to improve post-disaster function of hospitals that provide critical medical services for a large number of people.
Hospital Disaster Planning, Preparedness and Training
Bhutan
Emergency planning and realistic disaster simulations for staff at hospitals in Bhutan, plus mitigations to keep the facilities functioning post disaster.
Reducing Extreme Landslide and Seismic Risk in Aizawl
Aizawl, India
A detailed scenario process engaged leaders and technical professionals in India’s most populous hill city to understand, assess and mitigate Aizawl’s very high risk of landslides and earthquakes.
“In managing responses to fires, floods, and earthquakes in California and the Pacific, I have seen lives shattered, families separated, and neighborhoods turned to rubble. This experience taught me that human suffering can be greatly lessened through measures we already know and understand.”
Shirley Mattingly
Former Director, Region IX U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency
Blog
Date
Date
"In working with GHI on Quito’s earthquake risk, I learned that engineers and scientists must work with the community’s politicians, emergency response personnel, and businessmen.”
Jeannette Fernandez
Former Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Quito, Ecuador; Recovery Specialist, United Nations Development Programme
