Disaster management workshop in Dubai

DUBAI A Dubai institute has roped in US-based disaster management experts to help prepare UAE residents to deal with possible disasters.

Elizabeth Fajardo, director of the Monarch Learning & Development Center said experts from the International Disaster Response Network, a community based disaster management initiative, will hold a four-day workshop in Dubai from June 8 to 11 to teach individuals and families to prepare for and survive a disaster event.

“The course provides a step-by-step approach to disaster preparedness by teaching participants to identify hazards that affect their local area and develop and maintain an emergency communications plan and disaster supplies kit,” said Fajardo, adding that the programme is open to anyone from the community.

She said: “The course is open to organisations and individuals who want to prepare for the critical seven to 10-day period after a major incident such as any natural disaster (earthquake, fire, flood etc), health epidemic, terrorism attack or act of war. One of the primary objectives is to encourage grassroots collaborative action with the overarching message that preparedness is better than response.

She said: “The skills imparted are not necessarily for those living in the UAE. People travel a lot these days and disasters can strike anywhere and affect anyone. So one needs to be prepared.”

With a disaster environment being dynamic and inconsistent, she stressed on the adaptability of the programme. Broadly, it entails a community-based disaster preparedness course which cover everything from evacuation and shelter to go-bags and survival. She said the course is specifically designed to equip participants to be self-sustainable in the immediate aftermath of a disaster.