These actions include the design of an awareness-raising plan on the impact of hydrometeorological phenomena, in particular floods, droughts and heat waves in schools; the adaptation of COPE books on the impact of floods, droughts and heat waves to the context of Burkina Faso. This includes translating the three COPE books from French into two national languages (Moore and Dioula) and printing 1,000 copies; coordinating and organising awareness-raising workshops in 10 schools in the Centre region for schoolchildren on the impact of hydrometeorological events.
In consultation with the DGRE, ANAM, the Ministry of National Education of Burkina Faso through the DPEPPNF, and all institutions involved in disaster risk management at the national level, a communication and awareness-raising plan has been developed and implemented.
A communication/awareness-raising team was formed, consisting of teachers who were trained by the GWP-WA expert consultant. These trainers in turn trained 10 educational supervisors, who also trained 30 teachers and 20 parents. This latter team of 50 people, including 30 education professionals, ensured the transfer of knowledge to schoolchildren in the schools selected for this purpose. Each school mobilised 100 pupils to take part in the awareness-raising activities. Content related to the COPE books was prepared for discussions with the pupils. For each selected school, discussions were held with the teaching staff and management to define the format of the discussions with the pupils and target classes, as well as to establish a schedule for visits to the schools for awareness-raising and communication.
"With the rainy season starting to set in, we need to get organised so that we are not caught unawares by flooding. Based on last years’ experience, we are committed to making real-time information available to the population so that they can take precautions in good time to minimise and reduce their vulnerability to disaster risks", said Ms Christine TAPSOBA/ OUEDRAOGO, Director of Water Studies and Information (DEIE/DGRE).
The relevant materials identified for the implementation of this communication and awareness-raising action are the COPE books designed by Martha Keswick, Mariko Jesse and Timothy Sim, with Xiao Zhou as the COPE champion for the WMO. The three books selected for this initiative relate to floods, droughts and heat waves and will be translated into two national languages in addition to the French version already available.
The various activities were implemented by GWP-WA in consultation with DGRE/DEIE and under the direction of the WMO. The Provincial Directorate of Preschool, Primary and Non-Formal Education (DPEPPNF) of the Ministry of Education was put at the forefront of conducting awareness-raising activities in schools.
The awareness-raising sessions in schools were conducted by teams of teachers under the supervision of DGRE officials, GWP-WA and the WMO Consultant.
