On Wednesday 09 July, the entire staff of English River Secondary School – including Senior Management, teachers, and auxiliaries – and some students from Aspiring Nurses and Red Cross School Club came together for a powerful session on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) using the Enhanced Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (EVCA) approach.
The program, facilitated by Belinda Valmont an ICT teacher and disseminator from the Red Cross Society of Seychelles (RCSS), combined an informative PowerPoint presentation with a hands-on VCA Transect Walk using observation checklists. The aim was simple but essential: to assess and strengthen the school’s disaster preparedness by identifying risks and building English River Secondary School existing strengths.
The session began with key DRR concepts such as hazard, vulnerability, risk, and capacity, followed by a look at the school’s current safety measures, emergency plans, and past experiences. Teachers were introduced to the global DRR frameworks like the Sendai Framework and how these connect with local school safety practices.
The highlight of the session was a 40-minute VCA Transect Walk, where staff, divided into small groups, walked through different sections of the school compound—classrooms, stairways, playgrounds, exits, and common areas—to identify potential hazards and safety improvements using a structured checklist.
Afterward, each group presented their findings in a collaborative discussion. From blocked exits and slippery pathways to well-placed fire extinguishers and accessible routes, the session helped everyone see both the challenges and the capacities that already exist within the school environment.
The results? A very fruitful session filled with teamwork, meaningful discussions, and strong recommendations for a school-specific action plan. This plan will guide English River Secondary School in strengthening its emergency readiness and ensuring a safer space for students and staff alike.
Key Outcomes:
- Increased awareness of disaster risk concepts
- Practical assessment of the school’s safety status
- Staff-led identification of hazards and solutions
- Drafting of an actionable disaster risk reduction plan
A huge thank you to Belinda Valmont and all ERSS staff who made this session a success! Together, we are building a culture of safety and resilience.
