SEEDS launches Honeywell Safe Schools in Delhi

The Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS) announced the launch of Honeywell Safe Schools, a holistic school safety and disaster risk reduction program on July 27, 2017 in New Delhi.

Funded by a Honeywell India grant, Honeywell Safe Schools will empower 25,000 students, 40,000 parents, and 1,000 teachers across 50 Delhi schools to make them disaster-ready. This disaster risk reduction program is tailor-made to address each school’s unique challenges to ensure children go to school without fear, remain safe in school, and return home safely. 

SEEDS undertook a baseline study to understand school safety and disaster-preparedness in Delhi, assess risks and risk perception, and determine remedial measures.The baseline study was released by Shri Kamal Kishore, Member, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), in the presence of government and civic agency leaders representing schools, law enforcement, first responders, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

 Speaking at the launch, Manu Gupta, Executive Director, SEEDS, said, “We are pleased to partner with Honeywell India to launch a pioneering school safety and disaster risk reduction program in the most vulnerable areas of Delhi. Our study highlights that often high potential risks are not recognized as imminent threats, and there is a need to create awareness among children, parents, teachers, and civic authorities to mitigate the impact of disasters.”

 Vikas Chadha, President, Honeywell India, said, “As a global technology leader in safety, we transform the way people live, work, and travel every day. It is a natural extension to bring our understanding of home and building safety to bear on communities we work and live with. It is also a natural partnership with SEEDS –an NGO globally recognized for their subject matter expertise in all three steps to disaster mitigation – preparedness, response, and recovery.”