QRC Launches Sixth Disaster Management Camp with 350 Participants

Doha, April 01 (QNA) - Under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) opened the Sixth Disaster Management Camp (DMC-6) at the Marine Scout Camp, Al-Khor, under the slogan of 'Effective Preparedness.. Better Response.' Lasting from 31 march through 9 April 2015, the event is held in coordination with many Qatari government and nongovernment organizations, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the United Nations. QRC Secretary-General Saleh bin Ali Al-Mohannadi thanked HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani for sponsoring the event. "Again, we meet in this annual event, which was launched in 2006 as a small disaster preparedness project. Year after year, it became an ambitious program with higher goals, a broader scope, and a solider vision. It has attracted so wide attention regionally and globally that it is now listed on the agenda of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the United Nations." He added through this Camp QRC seeks to build the capacity of society members and institutions, hone the skills of its volunteers, find a mechanism of coordination with relevant State authorities for a unified action plan, and create a community base of well-trained disaster response volunteers. "To that end, QRC aligned more than 45 trainers in different aspects of the 10-day training," he said, adding that "this year, 350 volunteers from Qatar and abroad are enrolled. QRC received 54 applications from 15 MENA National Societies from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Palestine, Somalia, Yemen, Turkey, Mauritania, Niger, Lebanon, Sudan, Afghanistan, Jordan, Egypt, and Iraq". "Actually, this ample visibility of the camp reflects the importance attached by the State of Qatar to the management of natural disasters and international cooperation to respond to and reduce their impact. Capacity building is a strategic priority under Qatar National Vision 2030, as it is the only way to create a culture of preparedness and knowledge of the latest disaster response tools around the world." The Camp is attended by 350 volunteers from Qatar and abroad, including 54 participants from 15 MENA National Societies from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Palestine, Somalia, Yemen, Turkey, Mauritania, Niger, Lebanon, Sudan, Afghanistan, Jordan, Egypt, and Iraq. I also features 45 trainers from several local and international organizations. As the only Arabic-speaking specialized training event of such a scale, the purpose of the Camp is to build a well-trained base of volunteers who respond to disasters timely and effectively, enhance coordination with relevant organizations and authorities, minimize casualties and property losses, and help the society recover from any future disasters. Throughout the year, QRC holds numerous basic and advanced disaster management courses, which, together with the camp, constitute a complete specialized training program to hone the emergency preparedness, rescue, coordination, and leadership skills among volunteers and local community. Among the contributors to the event are the Ministry of Interior, the Permanent Committee for Emergency, Qatar Armed Forces (QAF), Internal Security Force (LEKHWIYA), the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Social and Sport Contribution Fund (DAAM), Al-Rayyan TV, Ooredoo, the Supreme Council of Health (SCH), Qatar Meteorology Department, Qatar Steel, Qatar Charity, Qatar Scout & Guide Association, Qatar Petroleum, Qatar Scientific Club, Qatar Tourism Authority, Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros. Co. W.L.L. (AAB), Almeera Group, Doha Golf Club, Community Policing Department, Al-Sultan Beach Resort, Al-Khor Sports Club, and Al-Khor Municipality. The great success of DMC since 2006 has gained wide attention from Qatari institutions, which reflects the importance attached by the State of Qatar to the management of natural disasters and international cooperation to respond to and reduce their impact. Capacity building is a strategic priority under Qatar National Vision 2030, as it is the only way to create a culture of preparedness and knowledge of the latest disaster response tools around the world. The agenda of the Camp involves two categories of theoretical and practical training: (1) specialized training in six fields (assessment and field coordination, shelter and registration, water and sanitation, food and distribution, media and communication in emergency, and emergency health care), and (2) general evening training in seven specialties (Sphere standards, disaster management and leadership in humanitarian action, emergency operation management, logistics, psychological support, secure access, and restoring family links). (END)