Atanasius Jodhi Kusuma, 11, hid under a table in his classroom at state elementary school SDN 2 in Tanjung Benoa, Bali, as the blaring siren signaling a tsunami warning rang through the air.

He and his classmates then straightened and began filing out of the room while carrying their bags over their heads. The children made their way toward Ion Hotel, the nearest tall building to their school.

Jodhi was among 500 elementary school students taking part in a tsunami drill conducted by the UN Development Program (UNDP), with financial support from the Japanese government.

“Now I know that we should hide under a table when an earthquake happens and protect our head before running to a high building,” Jodhi said after drill on Tuesday.

All SDN 2 Tanjung Benoa students took part in the drill. Under the scorching sun, some practiced administering first aid on their friends, all under the scenario of an 8.0 magnitude earthquake.

The exercise is part of a regional project called “Partnerships for Strengthening School Preparedness for Tsunami in the Asia Pacific Region.” Held in collaboration with Japan’s Tohoku University, the International Tsunami Information (ITIC) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the project includes 18 Asia-Pacific countries.

Indonesia and Japan are both located on the Ring of Fire, an area highly prone to earthquakes and tsunamis. Both countries have experienced major disasters.

In 2004, Indonesia suffered great losses in the Boxing Day tsunami, which killed more than 200,000 people. In March 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake, which was followed by a tsunami, killed around 20,000 people.

After the 2004 tsunami, the Indonesian government passed the 2007 Disaster Management Law, which led to the establishment of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).

With support from many partners, Indonesia now stands at the forefront of strengthening disaster preparedness in the region. Indonesia is the first country to conduct the tsunami drill under the 18-month project.

“Education can save many lives. School children, for instance, will be able to recognize early signs of a tsunami, allowing them to make their way out for safety without panic,” said the Japan Consul General in Denpasar, Hirohisa Chiba. “A tsunami drill like this one in Bali is an invaluable investment that will increase the chances of survival among communities in the island.”

The US$1.5 million provided by the Japanese government to UNDP for the tsunami preparedness project is intended to help countries gain better access to disaster risk data, and formulate policies and programs.

“As time goes by, it is vital not to forget the lessons we have learned from the tsunami that destroyed so many lives in Indonesia or Japan,” said UNDP Indonesia country director Christophe Bahuet. One of those key lessons is that anyone, including children, needs to be prepared and know exactly what to do when an earthquake and a tsunami strikes.”

SDN 2 Tanjung Benoa principal Luh Sri Sudarmini praised the tsunami drill initiative.

“Our students have been learning about disaster preparedness for quite some time. It’s very important to practice what we’ve learned with a realistic scenario. We’re very grateful for this drill,” she said.

BNPB disaster risk mitigation director Lilik Kurniawan echoed her sentiments, adding: “Bali is one of the areas in Indonesia that is prone to tsunamis. So, we have to be prepared.”

The Culture and Education Ministry’s special education director, Sri Renani Pantjastuti, said tsunami drills should be held in all schools across Indonesia.

“We fully support this kind of activity to ensure all students are prepared when a disaster strikes,” she said.

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