February 17, 2020. San Mateo del Mar, Oaxaca, Mexico. Two years after a powerful earthquake struck Mexico, the American Red Cross, in partnership with the Mexican Red Cross and the Canadian Red Cross, continues to support communities affected by the disaster. Through a series of resiliency activities made possible through financial support from the American Red Cross, people living in disaster-prone communities in Mexico are empowered to learn skills that prepare them for future disasters. From providing hygiene and sanitation education to offering trainings on how to administer first aid, the Red Cross is actively involved in helping to build stronger, more resilient communities across the country.
Students of Bachillerato Ikoots (Ikoots Highschool) in San Mateo del Mar, a coastal town in Oaxaca, Mexico, participate in a program supported by the Red Cross that helps them understand what to do in case of an emergency. The students are in the first phase of the program which includes the development of an annual calendar that highlights key community social events, as well as time periods in which their community experiences severe weather like torrential rain and flooding. By knowing this information ahead of time, students can ensure they and their families are taking the necessary precautions to stay safe. As the year progresses, they will also get to learn how to administer first aid and other ways to keep their families and communities safe should a disaster hit. Photo by Brad Zerivitz/American Red Cross