Disaster preparedness is taking a high profile in the Northern Division over the next three days.
Specialised training is being provided for senior government staff and other key stakeholders in disaster response and relief. This will be followed by a table top exercise designed to provide an opportunity for those that attended the training as well as other stakeholders to begin to practise the skills that were taught and the processes required for an effective disaster response.
The Ministry’s Northern Acting Divisional planning officer Mr Uraia Rainima said that the training is extremely valuable to ensure the Northern Division is better prepared for any future disaster event, especially when the cyclone season is getting closer.
“Ultimately, we want to ensure people are safer and losses are significantly reduced,” Mr Rainima added.
This disaster management-focused training programme was made possible through partnership between the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), Commissioner Northern Division and a consortium of seven New Zealand-based non-government organisations, (NGO) who accessed funding from the New Zealand government aid programme.
The group of NGO comprises Caritas, Christian World Service, Oxfam, Rotary, TEAR Fund, UNICEF and ADRA, who is the lead agency.
The training begins today 23rd and will end on Friday 25th.
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