IDDRR 2024 events in North Macedonia
From the inauguration of one of the longest murals in North Macedonia, to a discussion in the parliament on youth and disaster risk reduction (DRR) in Skopje, alongside two school evacuation drills in Tetovo and Ohrid, UNDP has organized an inspiring series of events in the run-up to International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on this October 13.
DRR Creative Challenge: Mural Creation
The week kicked off on the outskirts of Tetovo with the inauguration of the 511 m2 mural, "Guardians of Tomorrow: A Street Art Journey in Disaster Preparedness". The painting, created by youth artists from the LOJA center for Balkan cooperation, adorns the stabilization wall at HEC Pena, previously implemented to protect this crossing point from active landslides under the project "Improving flood resilience in the Polog region", funded by the Swiss government.
This artwork resulted from a two-stage process: firstly, an initiation to DRR with pupils from various elementary schools in Tetovo, who took part in a creative drawing workshop on DRR-related themes; secondly, the selection of drawings by professional youth street artists as a source of inspiration, and the consolidation of these drawings into a single artwork with the support of young volunteers.
By combining education and culture, this vibrant mural, located on a popular hiking path for the inhabitants of Tetovo, will both ensure a safe passage towards Banjice and serve as a constant reminder of the strength of unity and preparedness.
Parliamentary Session on Youth and DRR
The second event of the series was organized jointly with the Parliament, inside the legislative branch of the government in North Macedonia. The parliamentary session was designed to raise the issue of DRR to the level of legislators, critical actors in ensuring the adoption of an adequate framework for disaster governance in national law, and to provide a platform to advocate for youth-inclusive decisions and policies on disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and the importance of planning for climate and disaster resilient urban areas.
The event brought together youth representatives, parliamentarians, crisis headquarters, vulnerable groups NGOs (youth, gender, disability) and the international community.
School Emergency Drills
With the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events caused by climate change, leading to an enhanced risk of floods, forest fires or prolonged heat waves, as well as the continuing threat of earthquakes in the region, it is essential to provide young people and students with the practical knowledge and skills they need to respond more effectively to disaster events.
Complementing the eight DRR simulation drills involving over 2,000 students and workshops based on an appropriate DRR textbook developed as part of the Polog project, two additional drills were carried out this week in high schools for protection and rescue in the event of forest fires in Ohrid and floods in Tetovo.
Through realistic scenarios and with the support of local authorities and front-line disaster response organizations, students and school personnel gain a better understanding of the principles of disaster preparedness and response and learn how to assess risks, follow emergency plans and work collaboratively to implement lifesaving strategies and provide first aid.