El Salvador is awarded second price of the 2001 World Disaster Reduction Campaign “Countering Disasters, Targeting Vulnerability””

Group “C” of the ninth grade of technical and vocational education of the Berlin National Institute, in Usulután, El Salvador, was awarded second prize of the Risk Mapping Contest, Local Communities’ category. This contest was part of the 2001 World Disaster Reduction Campaign titled “Countering Disasters, Targeting Vulnerability”, promoted by the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR). At that time, they were seventh-grade students -which represents the first year of their technical and vocational career-, and prepared a risk map of their community, affected by Tropical Storm Mitch in October and November, 1998.

The award ceremony was held at 10:00 a.m. on February 28, 2003. The prize consisted of a check in the amount of US$500 and a certificate. This event was organized by a number of institutions of this community, including the Health Unit of Berlin, the Mayor’s Office, the Basic System for Integral Health of Santiago de Maria, the Berlin National Institute, and the PAHO Mission in El Salvador. The ceremony was held in the central park of this town, and it gathered a large number of community members, special guests, faculty staff and students, as well as representatives of the Committee for National Emergencies (COEN). .

This award recognizes the contribution of the students of the ninth grade of technical and vocational education to both awareness-raising efforts and community education and preparedness in the field of disaster reduction.

All students and teachers, as well as Berlin inhabitants at large and special guests gathered on this occasion. During the celebration, the band of the Sixth Infantry Brigade performed for the participants.