Are colleges in Lebanon preparing students for future earthquake disasters?

Abstract

Lebanon, one of the most urbanised countries in the East Mediterranean region, is highly vulnerable to disastrous earthquakes. This vulnerability necessitates that Lebanese educational institutions play a proactive role in planning and preparing for future earthquakes. Students in various disciplines at Lebanese colleges (n=860) were surveyed to assess their preparedness for earthquakes and to determine how college programmes have affected students' preparedness level. The findings revealed a poor level of earthquake preparedness while multiple regression analysis showed that higher academic institutions have an insignificant contribution to the needed preparedness level of students. This article provides discussion of the findings and calls for the incorporation of earthquake preparedness knowledge and practices into college programmes across Lebanon. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.