Education establishments have taken a proactive approach to emergency and natural disaster preparedness.

Due to effective simulations and the implementation of emergency procedures, both public and specialist schools have perfected their emergency responses, said Bernez Khodra, school safety co-ordinator within the Ministry of Education.

Mr. Khodra said that schools should be commended for keeping to the right procedures, as it results in reducing risks.

“One of the things that we are finding is that the more the students, teachers, principals, and staff members who practice those drills, the better they become at the response. By responding effectively and correctly, they are reducing their risks and more lives will be saved."

The School  Safety Unit faces challenges, however. Mr. Khodra said one of its biggest challenges is the budget.

"Funding is limited and training needs funding. As it stands right now we are very grateful to agencies such as USAID who have come on board to assist us. We continue to try our best with the limited resources that we have.”

The School  Safety Unit works closely with the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force and the Saint Lucia Fire Service, and has expressed gratitude to both establishments for the time and effort allotted to them by the agencies in the past.