The role of schools in creating an earthquake-safer environment

Earthquakes are considered as one of the most destructive natural disasters and can produce many types of loss, including physical, socio-economic and cultural. Although loss of life and damage to buildings and social infrastructures will most directly affect the victims, other types of loss might trigger social unrest and aggravate poverty levels. Earthquakes severely impact the development stages of a country, and in many cases one single event has been observed to significantly affect gross domestic product. To live in a safe environment is a basic human need. In developing countries, to make the development process sustainable it is important to emphasise the prevention and pre-disaster mitigation aspects. The most significant issue in this regard is to have the proper educational training and perspective on earthquake risk and its consequences.