18 volunteers take part in QRCS course on disaster management

The one-week event was part of QRCS’ annual training schedule aimed at augmenting capacity of members of society on disaster preparedness, response and risk reduction

QATAR Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has completed a basic disaster management training course for 18 volunteers. Instructed by 10 specialised trainers and six assistant trainers, the one-week event is part of QRCS’ annual training schedule aimed at building capacity for youth and other members of society on disaster preparedness, response and risk mitigation.

During the event, participants were exposed to a variety of topics relating to disaster management in compliance with international principles and definitions. This provided a description of the QRCS and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Other topics addressed by the course included: disaster management, sphere initiative, planning , risk analysis, psychosocial support, field assessment and communication, emergency media, reconstruction of family relations, water and sanitation, emergency health , nutrition and food security, and shelter and registration.

The purpose of the course, held at the QRCS Disaster

Management Center, was to teach the trainees about the concept of a disaster and the fundamentals of planning for and coping with a disaster. The trainees were also expected to take part in the Disaster Management Camp (DMC).

The training plan included theoretical seminars, practice and community learning to ensure the best results for all learners. At the conclusion of the course, the trainees obtained standardized certificates of participation.

Ahmed Al Khulaifi, Head of the Volunteers Section at

QRCS, said, “Our annual plan aims to improve the skills of volunteers through a training curriculum in disaster management, first aid, international humanitarian law and human development.”

“This course aims to provide our new volunteers with theoretical and field experiences, with a strong vision guided by QRCS’ strategy to optimize the outcomes of volunteering,” said Al-Khulaifi.

He added, “This course is part of a broader disaster preparedness initiative administered by QRCS to improve community preparedness skills. No less than 100 trainees are graduated each year, ready to be deployed in relief missions with our foreign offices.”