We are pleased to announce that G-SIG is currently working with PLAN International in Timor-Leste to implement a program focused on Building Resilient Schools through School-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (SBDRR) in Hera (Dili Municipality) and Fatisi (Aileu Municipality).

Overview of the Initiatives

Timor-Leste is increasingly exposed to climate- and disaster-related risks, including floods, strong winds, landslides, earthquake, and fires. In Hera, schools are located in high-risk coastal areas and river basin channels, as well as within dense urban environments, where disasters frequently disrupt learning, compromise safety, and affect the wellbeing of children and adolescents in both primary and secondary schools. Additionally, in Aileu, particularly in Fatisi, schools are located in areas at high risk of strong winds, flooding, and landslides. These hazards frequently disrupt learning, compromise safety, and negatively affect the wellbeing of children and adolescents in both primary and secondary schools. In addition, during their journey to and from school, students face significant risks, as strong winds and landslides often make access routes unsafe and difficult to pass.

Beyond physical exposure, limited disaster awareness, weak preparedness culture, and low participation of students and youth in decision-making processes significantly increase vulnerability. Children, students, and youth are often viewed primarily as beneficiaries rather than leaders of change, despite their strong potential to influence behaviors, challenge harmful social norms, and strengthen community resilience, particularly within their own families and among parents.

To address these challenges, G-SIG, in partnership with PLAN International Timor-Leste, is implementing a School-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (SBDRR) initiative aimed at strengthening school safety while empowering students and youth as leaders of change.

Our Objective of this Initiatives

The overall goal of this initiative is to empower students, children, and youth to take a leading role in School-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (SBDRR) initiatives. Through this approach, the project aims to strengthen school safety, promote positive values, and foster inclusive and responsible leadership among student in schools located in Hera, Dili Municipality, and Fatisi, Aileu Municipality.

To achieve this goal, the project focuses on several key objectives. First, it seeks to strengthen the knowledge, skills, and leadership capacity of students, children, and youth in disaster risk reduction, preparedness, and emergency response, enabling them to respond effectively to potential hazards. In addition, the project promotes positive values, inclusive behaviors, and gender-equitable participation by encouraging youth-led SBDRR actions within schools, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to actively contribute.

Furthermore, the project supports schools in establishing functional disaster management mechanisms, including the development of practical preparedness and evacuation plans through close collaboration between students and school authorities. Lastly, it aims to enable student and youth group associations to plan, manage, and implement school-based disaster risk reduction activities, thereby strengthening their capacities in project management, leadership, and accountability within the broader context of disaster risk management.

Main Activities of the Project

1. Empowering Students through Leadership and Knowledge

As part of the project, G-SIG will conduct Leadership Training on Disaster Risk Reduction across four targeted schools: EBF Concin, EBF Mota Ki’ik, EBC Acanuno, and EBC Bocolelo. The training will focus on strengthening students’ knowledge and leadership skills in disaster risk reduction.

During the training, students will be introduced to key concepts such as disaster risk reduction (DRR), the School-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (SBDRR) approach, seasonal calendars, historical hazard analysis, and participatory tools such as Venn diagrams and school-based focus group discussions (FGDs). The sessions will be highly interactive, encouraging students to share their experiences and develop a deeper understanding of the risks they face in their communities and schools.

A key milestone of this activity will be the establishment of School Disaster Preparedness Teams (EPD) in each school. These student-led groups will play an essential role in promoting awareness, supporting preparedness actions, and leading peer-to-peer learning within their schools. G-SIG will support these teams in developing plans, standard operating procedures, and project management capacities for disaster events.

2. Understanding Risks through Participatory Mapping

In addition to the leadership training, G-SIG will facilitate Participatory School Risk Mapping Assessments in selected schools. These activities will bring together students, teachers, and the School Disaster Preparedness Teams (EPD) established in each school to identify and analyze hazards within and around their school environments.

Through hands-on mapping exercises, participants will identify key risks such as flood-prone areas, landslide zones, and locations vulnerable to strong winds. Students will also work collaboratively with their teachers to propose evacuation routes, identify safe assembly points, and recommend appropriate locations for evacuation signage within their schools. At the end of this activity, G-SIG will produce and stablish high-resolution, drone-based satellite imagery for each school. These maps will be overlaid with hazard data and evacuation plans developed during the participatory assessment.

This participatory approach not only strengthens students’ understanding of local hazards but also empowers them to actively contribute to practical solutions for improving school safety.

3. Simulation Drill with Schools

Another key initiative during the program implementation is the organization of simulation drills involving students, teachers, the EPD teams, and school management. Once all essential components are in place, such as the completion of leadership, DRR, and SBDRR training, the establishment of the Disaster Preparedness Teams, and the development and installation of hazard and evacuation maps in schools, G-SIG will work closely with the EPD teams and school management to conduct these simulation exercises.

The simulation drills are designed to replicate realistic disaster scenarios, allowing students to practice how to respond effectively in the event of a disaster. Through these exercises, participants will apply the knowledge and skills they have gained during the program, helping them understand what actions to take, how to coordinate with others, and how to use available resources during emergencies. This practical experience will strengthen their preparedness and build confidence in responding to potential future disasters.

Want to Know More?

If you would like to learn more about these initiatives, please feel free to contact us for further information.

Conclusion

Building resilient schools is a critical step toward strengthening community resilience in Timor-Leste. By investing in youth leadership and equipping students with the knowledge and skills to understand and manage risks, G-SIG and PLAN International Timor-Leste are contributing to a future where schools are not only centers of learning, but also safe and prepared spaces in times of disaster.

Additionally, this initiative demonstrates how youth and student-led School-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (SBDRR) can strengthen school safety while fostering positive values, inclusive participation, and responsible leadership among students and teacher. By equipping young people with practical skills, leadership opportunities, and a platform to influence decision-making, the initiative addresses both disaster risks and the underlying social and behavioral factors that increase vulnerability in schools and communities.