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Children Facing Earthquakes in Mexico City: An Educational Strategy to Promote Prevention Awareness

Authors

Daniela Perez-Sosa, Wulfrano Arturo Luna-Ramirez and Sara Margarita Bustamante-Loya, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Cuajimalpa, Mexico

Abstract

Mexico is a country with high seismic activity, and its capital, Mexico City, is considered especially vulnerable due to its geographical characteristics, urbanization and dense population. In this context, risk awareness coupled with education focused on emergency and prevention management is key in minimizing the negative effects of such disasters. Increasing seismic preparation in the Mexican population requires disseminating solid theoretical knowledge in addition to actionable and practical recommendations, i.e. life-saving action protocols, as early as childhood. We focus on an educational strategy co-designed with children, through an agile development process, to promote preparedness via a meaningful communication system that is relevant and efficient. Our contribution is two-fold, namely: a workshop involving children, teachers, and emergency staff to encourage interest in risk prevention during earthquakes; and an autonomous and self-managing workshop manual that allows an iterative improvement each time it is performed as required by everyone involved.

Keywords

Natural Disasters, Risk Preparedness, Co-design, Children, Adaptability, Risk Reduction, Security, Earthquakes.

Full Text  Volume 13, Number 21