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© Photo courtesy of CCTV Dr. Yin Yin Nwe, UNICEF Representative to China and Mme. Gu Xiulian (1st R), Chairperson of All-China Women's Federation attend CCTV's "Lesson Number One: Knowledge Protects Life" programme to advocate for emergency response education.

Beijing, 2 September, 2008– Dr. Yin Yin Nwe, UNICEF Representative to China, appeared on national TV on the first day of the new school year to reach out to children, teachers and parents with a message on the importance of emergency preparedness education.

The TV programme, entitled "Lesson Number One: Knowledge Protects Life" focused on disaster prevention, readiness and response and was produced by China Central Television (CCTV) with technical support and expertise from UNICEF. The programme is part of an advocacy campaign to raise awareness on emergency preparedness for children in the aftermath of the 12 May Sichuan earthquake, which killed 70,000 people, including thousands of students.

During the programme, Dr. Nwe, who also chairs the UN Disaster Management Team in China, introduced the concept of Emergency Life-Saving Kits to millions of home viewers. The programme also included children from the Sichuan earthquake zone; Mme. Gu Xiulian, Chairperson of the All-China Women's Federation; Mr. Guo Xiangyuan, Assistant Minister of Education; basketball superstar Yao Ming and the China men's national basketball team; and other Olympic champions. Emergency Life-Saving Kits that help people survive are widely used in earthquake-prone Japan.

"This emergency survival practice in Japan can be used in China to promote similar education," Dr Nwe said. The kits contain a first-aid medical box, water, food, a rope, a whistle, a flashlight with alarm and radio, and other life-saving equipment. One of the most important items in the kit is an emergency contact sheet that includes information such as the child's name, address, blood type, and parents' contact details, allowing rescuers to take immediate action. Dr. Nwe called for all families and schools to equip themselves with emergency preparedness skills and measures such as evacuation drills.

"In a disaster, a little bit of survival knowledge or a drill experience may help to save lives," Mr. Xu Wenguang, Assistant Director-General of the CCTV Economy Channel said. Mr. Xu cited the example of Sichuan's Sangzao Middle School, which has practiced emergency drills since 2005. All 2,300 students and teachers in the school safely evacuated the building in less than 100 seconds on the day of the earthquake.

"That's why this campaign is themed 'Knowledge Protects Life.' We hope to rally the whole country to join this campaign so that all students in China learn about self-protection and regularly practice evacuation drills like Sangzao Middle School." Mr. Xu said.

In the same TV programme, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Lang Lang and other celebrities starred in a series of public service advertisements on emergency awareness for children.

© Photo courtesy of CCTV In the programme, Dr. Yin Yin Nwe introduces the concept of Emergency Life-Saving Kits to help promote emergency preparedness education.

About UNICEF in China
UNICEF first assisted China between 1947 and 1951, providing emergency services, food and nutrition, health and hygiene training during and after the Revolutionary War. In 1979 UNICEF officially commenced its cooperation with the Government of China to support child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. 

For further information, please contact:
Liu Li, UNICEF China, +86 13701066671, liliu@unicef.org