Doha: Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has concluded a five-day advanced disaster management training course for 31 volunteers who had graduated from QRCS’s 7th Disaster Management Camp.
The purpose of the course was to build the capacity of volunteers in disaster response, through a set of advanced topics instructed by seven internationally certified trainers.
The topics included disaster management policies, media relations in an emergency, stress management, coordination across the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and the United Nations, Movement Code of Conduct, and assessment methodology and tools.
Other topics covered by the course were the auxiliary roles of National Societies, volunteer management in an emergency, field safety and security, information center and reporting, disaster response tools, working with the local community, project planning, teamwork, and leadership development.
This course is part of a year-round disaster preparedness program conducted by QRCS to enhance community preparedness skills, under the supervision of disaster management specialists.
In the end of the course, a disaster scenario exercise was implemented to measure coordination and quick response. The closing session was attended by Rashid S Al Mohannadi, General Director, Relief and International Development Division, QRCS, as well as a group of MA students at the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies (CHS), Doha Institute for Graduate Studies.
A special course on shelter in an emergency was given to 15 CHS researcher students in the completion of the requirements of their academic program. QRCS and Doha Institute has an MoU to work together in training, exchange of experience, and joint research projects.
Al Mohannadi welcomed the participants and gave them a presentation about QRCS’ history, humanitarian mission, and local/international achievements. He highlighted QRCS’ Disaster Management Camp as an important event to create a base of youths qualified in immediate disaster response.
Dr Ghassan Al Kahlout, PhD in Post-War Recovery Studies, emphasised the importance of partnership with Qatari humanitarian organisations, primarily QRCS, which serves to enhance the practical experiences of MA students.
At the closing ceremony, the participants commended the content of the course, which added significantly to their information and skills both in disaster management and academic progress.
The cyclone simulation was particularly beneficial as an international standard response and coordination training, a rarely available practice for humanitarian service providers prior to engagement in risky field operations.
Established in 1978, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) is a humanitarian volunteering organisation that aims to assist and empower vulnerable individuals and communities without partiality or discrimination.
QRCS is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which consists of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and 190 National Societies. QRCS is also a member of several GCC, Arab, and Islamic organisations, such as the Islamic Committee of International Crescent and the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organisation (ARCO).
In this legally recognised capacity, QRCS has access to disaster and conflict zones, thus serving as an auxiliary to the State of Qatar in its humanitarian efforts — a role that distinguishes it from other local charities and NGOs.
