Four Australian aid workers will fly to Indonesia next week to respond to the aftermath of a major cyclone, mudslides and flooding.
Save the Children’s intense simulated emergency scenarios will test the mettle of the Australians to respond to the needs of children and adults affected by disaster.
The live training exercises take place on May 31 to June 3 at a Red Cross training facility on the outskirts of Semarang, east of Jakarta.
The exercises are part of the Humanitarian Leadership Program funded by AusAID, designed by Save the Children and endorsed by Deakin University. The first part of the program was a week-long residential in Warrnambool, Victoria in February, followed by distance learning and workplace study.
Save the Children’s Senior Emergency Adviser Stephen McDonald – in Indonesia for the simulation – said 36 people from 20 countries were taking part in the program, which prepares them for the important role of Team Leaders during humanitarian responses. The four Australians are based in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide.
“Natural disasters are predicted to increase by as much as 320 per cent over the next 20 years,’’ Mr McDonald said. “It is vital the humanitarian sector be even better prepared than it is now to respond to the needs of people affected by disaster.”
“One way we can do that is to provide the best possible training to senior aid workers who will lead emergency responses, and whose ability to make the right decisions in tough circumstances will mean the difference between life and death.”
Mr McDonald said the Humanitarian Leadership Program was designed to get the best out of people in the worst of situations.
“The participants will need to demonstrate their leadership capability and develop strategic response plans,’’ he said.
“We want to ensure that in every emergency response the aid sector is led by unflappable leaders capable of coordinating the effective delivery of life-saving aid in extremely stressful and often hazardous environments.”
For more information or to arrange an interview call Daniel Clarke on 0407 771 072