Preparing the community to react to disasters

By Ilia L. Likou 30 June 2017, 12:00AM

The second phase of the Community Disaster Preparedness Programme was launched at the Tu’utu’uleloloto hall this week.

The programme is co funded by Caritas Australia. 

Project Manager, Fuatino Muliagatele-Ah Wai, said the launch included a training for volunteers.

“Caritas Samoa and the Samoa Red Cross Society have joined forces with other partners to increase awareness among members of the community about disaster preparedness,” she said.

“Phase one was just an illustration for volunteers to come on board and be part of the programme and have more than two hundred volunteers participate in Phase one.”

The volunteers are expected to spread the message in the villages.

 “We are working through the parishes in the community to prepare and also to have more skills and knowledge in responding in times of whatever disaster comes.

“The response has been very good from the beginning (phases one) of this programme and the training is extremely beneficial for the youth.”

Caritas has been working with its partners – including the relevant government ministries - to spread their message about the need to be prepared.

“The programme is carried out into three different phases,” she said.

“Phase one was consultations with all the volunteers, phase two are the training of volunteers and lastly, phase 3 is the work out in the villages on their village plans.”

Caritas Samoa was founded in February 2008 and became a full-fledged member of Caritas International in 2011.

Caritas Samoa works in close partnership with Caritas agencies, international relief organisations, as well as the Samoan government’s National Disaster Management Office to provide assistance and training where needed.

By Ilia L. Likou 30 June 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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