(Al-Bireh- 9/8/22015): PRCS concluded its sixth National Disaster Response Camp held over ten days in Massafer Bani Na’im (Hebron Governorate) with the participation of 70 volunteers.
The closing ceremony was attended by PRCS’ President Dr. Younis Al Khatib, PRCS’ Director General Dr. Khaled Joudeh, Mayor of Bani Na’im Mr. Mahmoud Manasrah, PRCS’ Heads of Programs and Branches as well as representatives from governmental and non-governmental organizations present in Bani Na’im.
In his speech, Al Khatib underlined the important role played by the camp in preparing and strengthening the National Disaster Response Team and in fostering partnerships with Civil Society Organizations. He said that an endless disaster, i.e. occupation, has affected Palestinians for decades now and that “we can teach the world how to build resilience especially in communities facing extraordinary circumstances or disasters”.
Al Khatib lauded the excellent cooperation between PRCS and its partners, mainly the German, Spanish and Italian Red Cross Societies, which was very visible during the Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip.
Mr. Manasrah spoke about the professionalism, readiness and discipline of participants in this sixth edition of the Camp. He also praised trainers who showed a great deal of knowledge and expertise throughout the Camp. Manasrah touched on the deep, constant and evolving partnership between his Municipality and PRCS, as well as on the services provided by PRCS in Palestine and the Diaspora.
Eng. Basheer Ahmad, Head of PRCS’ Disaster Management Unit, gave an overview of topics covered over the camp’s ten days in the field of disaster preparedness, response and management. He also spoke about the Society’s Strategy aimed at enhancing the efficiency of its staff and volunteers with a view to building community capacities and enabling communities to respond to disasters. Participants, he explained, received training in the fields of shelter provision, water and sanitation, First Aid, health in times of emergency, food and nutrition and communication skills inter alia. Exercises were also held in these fields.
Dr. Fawzi Ghareeb, Head of the Society’s branch in Bani Na’im, also took the floor during the ceremony while Areen Al Za’anin, a volunteer, spoke on behalf of participants who then received their diplomas.
The Camp offered participants theoretical and practical training in the following fields: communications in times of disaster, provision of shelter, water and sanitation, health in times of disaster, supplies, Relief Appeals, distribution of relief items, coordination of humanitarian aid, Sphere Standards, Codes of Conduct, Operations Rooms, risk mitigation, gender, logistical support and First Aid. The Camp is in line with the Society’s Strategy and the National Crisis Response Strategy which both aim at creating a national team comprising volunteers trained to respond to humanitarian disasters.
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