From Crisis to Classroom: Safeguarding Mongolia’s Schools and Educating Youth as Pathways to Disaster Resilience

On this International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) 2024, the CADRI Partnership reflects upon the vital role that safe schools and education play in protecting and empowering Mongolia’s youth for a disaster-free future.

In response to a request from the National Emergency Management Agency of Mongolia (NEMA), in September 2023, the CADRI Partnership mobilized a multidisciplinary team of experts from the UN RCO, FAO, IOM, UNDAC, UNDP, UNDRR, UNFPA, UN-Habitat, World Vision Mongolia, and the Meteorological Administrations of China and Korea to facilitate a diagnosis of national and local capacities to manage and reduce disaster and climate risks, with an emphasis on systems for preparedness, early warning, and risk reduction. To mark IDDRR 2024, we take a critical look at the findings of this capacity diagnosis through the lens of youth empowerment through disaster education and the provision of safe schools.

Chilling threats to learning

Mongolia’s vast, rugged landscape makes it one of the most unique places on earth, but also exposes the country to some of the world’s harshest winters. The notorious dzuds, extreme winters marked by freezing temperatures, heavy snow, and ground so frozen that animals cannot reach pasture, bring devastation to livestock and livelihoods. Yet, the toll on children is more profound than meets the eye.

When snow and ice block critical roads, children in rural areas are cut off from school, as well as vital health, nutrition, and protective services. In these conditions, many families are forced to make tough decisions, particularly herder families who are most directly impacted by dzuds. Older children often remain at home to support household tasks, while younger children may be left at school dormitories or with relatives, increasing protection risks and psychological stress. Alongside dzuds, Mongolia is also prone to dust storms, drought, floods, wildfires, and earthquakes.

With 36% of the population under the age of 17, the vulnerability of children to disasters is a major challenge and one that is not adequately addressed in the country’s existing regulatory framework. Mongolia’s disaster law and disaster risk reduction strategy must urgently reflect the specific needs of children and other vulnerable groups. Creating a resilient education system is critical — not only to protect children during disasters but to ensure they continue to learn in the face of extreme conditions.

Safe schools, safe children

The importance of safe schools in Mongolia cannot be overstated, particularly in light of the country’s seismic vulnerability. These institutions serve a dual role as vital service providers during normal times and evacuation centers during crises, making their structural integrity paramount.

Recent upgrades to seismic building codes for schools and hospitals reflect a commitment to resilient infrastructure. From 2016 to 2019, seismic building vulnerability assessments were conducted on 199 public buildings in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital. As of September 2023, three educational facilities were earmarked for retrofitting.

In May 2023, a government-initiated earthquake simulation exercise in Ulaanbaatar, engaging schools and communities, showcased the government’s dedication to preparedness. However, despite awareness of seismic vulnerabilities in buildings, sectoral strategies largely focus on service provision rather than disaster risk reduction. To address these challenges, it is essential to prioritize the reinforcement of buildings in education sector plans and the reprioritization of actions based on current and future risk scenarios.

Every child deserves to be protected from disasters, especially at school. Investing in resilient school infrastructure is not just a necessity, it’s an investment in the future safety and well-being of Mongolia’s children and communities.

From education to action

“Decisions made today shape the disasters of tomorrow. We owe it to future generations to empower them to reduce their disaster risks” — Paola Albrito, UNDRR

To build a disaster-resilient future, we must equip young people with the skills and knowledge to take early action to protect themselves, their families, and their communities in times of crisis. Mongolia has made significant strides in this direction, with the systematic delivery of NEMA-led training programmes targeting both citizens and schools as part of the National Programme of Community Participatory Disaster Risk Reduction 2021–2025. Even children as young as pre-school age are taught safe life skills, aligned with Pillar 3 (Risk Reduction and Resilience Education) of the Comprehensive School Safety Framework 2022–2030.

Mongolia’s efforts to promote a culture of safety and preparedness within schools underscore the vital role of disaster education in empowering young people to understand and respond to the risks they face, while also positioning them as agents of change within their communities.

Agents of change for a disaster-free future

“It is vital to build the resilience of children in times of disaster and crisis through preparedness, not just response” — Tapan Mishra, UN Resident Coordinator in Mongolia

As we celebrate IDDRR 2024, we applaud Mongolia’s significant strides towards building a safer, more resilient future for its children, while recognizing that more needs to be done. To forge a path forward, Mongolia’s efforts to advance the pillars of the Comprehensive School Safety Framework must be backed by robust systems and policies that prioritize disaster risk reduction and acknowledge the unique needs faced by children and those experiencing intersecting vulnerabilities. By implementing targeted programmes for infrastructure reinforcement, disaster preparedness training and community engagement, Mongolia can continue to transform schools into secure havens for learning.

In this proactive approach, Mongolia is not just reducing disaster risks; it is cultivating and empowering a new generation of leaders in resilience. Together, we can build a disaster-resilient future for Mongolia, one where children thrive in safety and stand as agents of positive change in their communities.

The full Capacity Diagnosis Report and Policymakers Digest for Mongolia will be made available in English and Mongolian on cadri.net, upon validation from the Government of Mongolia at the end of October 2024.

The story was written by Rebecca Smith, Programme Coordinator for the CADRI Partnership Secretariat and originally published on Medium