Workshop helps islanders prepare for disasters

THE US Government, through USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, funded a Field Ready workshop project to help PaciƝc Island Countries better prepare for disasters.

The three-day Mobile Maker Space workshop, from April 17 to April 19, focused on strengthening local supply chains and helping communities become more selfreliant in responding to disasters. This should lead to better disaster resilience, boost local economies, and reduce the need for imported aid, cutting down on carbon emissions.

“We work with local groups and US organisations like Field Ready to help communities get the resources they need, especially during natural disasters and other moments of crisis,” said Jason Gilpin, the USAID PaciƝc Islands Supervisory Program Officer who officiated at the event on Wednesday, April 17, at the Albert Park conference room.

Mr Gilpin said they introduced this hands-on workshop through Field Ready to help communities respond faster by making emergency equipment locally.

This would provide them the skills necessary to quickly provide supplies, tailored to the speciƝc needs of each community.

“By moving manufacturing to affected communities, we can avoid the high costs and slow response times of similar supplies purchased from overseas providers,” Mr Gilpin said.

A key part of the training is the creation and use of the Mobile Makerspace, which is like a portable workshop.

It’s made to quickly Ɲx small infrastructure problems in areas hit by disasters.

Participants undergo immersive sessions that teach them how to Ɲx things such as using 3D printers and welding plastic.

This helps them quickly and effectively deal with important problems. The partnership between Field Ready and USAIDBHA signiƝes a paradigm shift in the PaciƝc Island Countries’ attempts to prepare for disasters.

The project has the potential to create a future that is more robust and self-sufficient for communities all around the region by utilising the creativity and cooperation of the local community.

Pictures: SUPPLIED Participants of the Field Ready make space workshop at the Albert Park conference room.

Participants repair a damaged wheelchair generated through a 3D printer.

A plastic welder is used to fix cracks in a water tank and emergency latrine holes.

Participants use a 3D printer to print out spare parts for a broken wheelchair.

Participants at the workshop.

Participants actively engage in learning how the guttering machine works to create gutters.

Participants repair a damaged toilet facility.

Field engineers at work during the demonstration process.

Jason Gilpin, right, the supervisory program officer of USAID Pacific Islands, with participants at the opening of the workshop.

Participants attach a tarpaulin to this wooden structure as a temporary latrine shelter wall.