BY NELIWE NGUBANE
EZULWINI – The Eswatini National Fire Rescue and Emergency Service (ENFRES) has intensified efforts to build a safer and more disaster-resilient nation through a Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Schools Awareness Campaign, which has reached several schools in the Ezulwini area.
The campaign, conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Training, the National Disaster Risk Management Authority (NDRMA) and the Ezulwini Municipality, equipped learners with practical knowledge on fire safety, emergency response and disaster preparedness.
Schools that benefited from the initiative include Somjalose High School, St Mary’s High School, Ezulwini Catholic Primary School and Kobe Learning Academy.
The awareness campaign aimed to educate learners on how to identify potential hazards, understand the behaviour of fire, respond effectively during emergencies and reduce risks before disasters occur. Through interactive sessions and practical demonstrations, learners were encouraged to become safety ambassadors capable of sharing life-saving knowledge within their homes and communities.
ENFRES said empowering young people with disaster preparedness skills is a critical step towards strengthening community resilience and ensuring that future generations are better prepared to respond to emergencies.
The collaboration between ENFRES, the Ministry of Education and Training, NDRMA and the Ezulwini Municipality reflects a shared commitment to promoting a culture of prevention rather than reaction. By taking disaster risk education directly into schools, the partners hope to minimise the impact of future emergencies while creating greater public awareness about safety.
The campaign also highlighted the importance of recognising environmental risks and acting swiftly during emergencies, reinforcing that disaster preparedness is a shared responsibility that begins with education.
As Eswatini continues to strengthen its disaster management systems, initiatives such as the DRR Schools Awareness Campaign are expected to play a vital role in protecting lives, reducing vulnerability and fostering a generation that is informed, prepared and ready to respond when disaster strikes.
(Courtesy Pic)
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