(Salfit - 8/7/2018): PRCS concluded today its Ninth National Disaster Response Camp held in Khirbet Kays School in Salfit Governorate. 50 volunteers from the West Bank partook in this eight-day camp supported by the Canadian Red Cross.
The camp’s closing ceremony was attended by PRCS’ President Dr. Younis Al Khatib, Salfit Deputy Governor Abdelhamid Al Deek, the President of the Society’s branch in Salfit Thafer Alkam and Salfit Deputy Mayor Mohanad bin Namira. Several PRCS’ branch and program managers, partners and representatives from governmental bodies and grassroots groups in the town were also present.
Dr. Al Khatib said this camp complemented the eight previous camps organized by PRCS. “These camps are a pillar of the Society’s Strategy aimed at enhancing the efficiency of staff and volunteers to enable them to offer better services to their homeland and to face both occupation-induced and man-made disasters”, he explained. Al Khatib also commended women’s participation in this camp: “Women’s participation was the highest so far. It shows how much women want to serve their communities and fellow-citizens”, he added. He also touched on the role played by the Society’s Disaster Management Team in helping other countries. The Team, he said, participated in several humanitarian missions, including, most recently, the one aimed at assisting the victims of Hurricane Irma which caused catastrophic damage across the Caribbean. Al Khatib finally hoped that participants from other countries would take part in the camp to be held next year.
Salfit Deputy-Governor lauded the efforts made by PRCS ever since its creation in 1968 and wished it all success in its future endeavors.
Salfit Deputy-Mayor praised the services provided by PRCS in Salfit Governorate and affirmed that his Municipality was a staunch supporter of the Society.
Bashir Al Ahmad, Head of PRCS’ Disaster Management Department, said that this camp fell within both the Society’s Strategy and the National Disaster Response Strategy aimed at the creation of a national team of well-trained volunteers capable of responding to humanitarian disasters and of working under pressure. “This camp is a key activity organized by PRCS to train and build the capacities of volunteers to enable them to respond to emergencies and disasters. It helps enhance the capacities of PRCS while also building the capacities of local communities to help them deal with disasters and become more resilient”, he said.
Salfit Branch President said that “it was an honor for the branch to host this camp aimed at increasing the readiness of volunteers to respond to disasters”.
The camp included both theoretical and practical activities in the following fields: Water and Sanitation, Camp Planning and Management, Sphere Standards, Public Health during Emergencies, Communicable Diseases, Rapid Assessment, Management of Operations Rooms, Safe Access, Field Teams, Disaster Response Tools, Social Diversity, Building Community Resilience, Psychological Health during Emergencies as well as Rehabilitation (Facts and figures on Disability in Palestine, obstacles that impede disabled persons’ ability to function during disasters, as well as disabled persons’ needs). It also covered basic principles relating to Evacuation and Rescue Operations.
Diplomas were then distributed to participants.
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