Equipping responders to deal with natural disasters

By Ulimasao Fata 08 April 2018, 12:00AM

A total of 332 volunteers graduated after with certificates in Community Disaster Preparedness Training on Friday.

The graduation ceremony, held at the Tu’utu’uileloloto Hall, marked the end of a six months training conducted by Caritas Samoa. 

Caritas Samoa Programme Manager, Fuatino Muliagatele Ah-Wai, who presented the volunteer training report, said the Programme is part of their community outreach programme.

“This is one of the initiatives by the Caritas Samoa to help minimise the impact of natural disasters in Samoa by training community volunteers,” she said.

“The training programme focuses on educating and instructing local volunteers about the right response during any natural disaster.”   

“The programme went on and taught about first aid response as well as promoting a healthy living environment, which was in our first and second phase that was completed today (yesterday).”

Fuatino says the next step is going continuing with phase three of their training course, which is implementing plans about this training course in the villages.  

Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson, of the Ocean and Climate Change Manager C.I. Pacific, acknowledged Caritas Samoa on their excellent initiative and congratulated the graduates.

“I must commend Caritas for this excellent initiative, for carrying out the important task of empowering our young people on ways to assist them in preparing for disasters and adapting to climate change impacts.”

“As climate change continues to wreck on our shores, with increased rainfall, prolonged droughts and frequency of cyclones, we need this type of capacity now more than ever before.”

“You are graduating with this Certificate, it may seem like you are finished, but you should view this as just the beginning.”

“Never underestimate yourself or your capabilities. I hope you take as a first step to understand climate change impacts better, and assisting our communities in managing the impacts.”

Graduate, Vela Andrews, shared her experiences.

“I  am  really excited and honoured to receive this certificate, and to obtain this much knowledge from this training course.”

“I hope that from whatever I have learned from this course, will help me save someone’s life, and help minimise the effect of natural disasters on our people.”

By Ulimasao Fata 08 April 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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