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30 PERSONS RECEIVE TRAINING TO IMPROVE EMERGENCY RELIEF OPERATIONS

30 PERSONS RECEIVE TRAINING TO IMPROVE EMERGENCY RELIEF OPERATIONS

June 20, 20181907Views

Director at the Department for Disaster Management, Sharleen DaBreo, MBE has said that the Territory has to manage its resources against clear objectives with transparency and strict accountability following the lessons learned in 2017.

To this end, thirty persons representing a number of Non-Government Organisations and Government departments are participating in a two-day Logistics Support System (LSS) training.

Ms DaBreo explained, “Humanitarian assistance is going to be required for the catastrophic type of events, similar to those that occurred last year. We, therefore, need to ensure that we have the capacity available locally to address the various logistical needs and to ensure that we can provide essential items to those most affected to allow them to get back on their feet as quickly as possible.”

The training, is being held from 18 to19 June and is financially supported by the Pan American Health Organisation and facilitated by certified trainers Cecil Jeffrey and Ms DaBreo.

As part of the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) a Logistics Cell is established to manage all types of resources needed by the Territory in response to a hazard impact. The impacts from 2017 have shown the need for continued training to be offered to a wide range of partners to ensure that there is a capacity to manage local as well as donated relief items coming into the Territory.

This training brings together organisations involved in providing and distributing relief through a nationally established Logistical Management Programme and allows them to get a good idea of how the LSS software, created by the Pan American Health Organisation, can enhance coordination of the humanitarian supply chain.

Community Relations Officer Mr. Cecil Jeffrey considered an expert in the use of the software has been serving as a PAHO trainer for a number of years and has trained persons locally as well as across the region.

Mr. Jeffery explained how the software works. “It helps to collect information to provide decision supporting reports that show which relief supplies were received or delivered, where they have been stored, which relief supplies are requested and how useful they are at a specific moment. Sorting and classifying incoming supplies are also key functions of a logistics support system.”

Persons who have been trained by the DDM will be expected to participate in the management of the relief and distribution system.

Ms. DaBreo further stated that it is important to have sufficient capacity on the ground to implement and manage the system. “We have to find ways to reduce wastage and to get the much-needed aid to those affected,” she said, adding, “A central distribution warehouse, collection points, and public distribution points will be formalized as part of the process combined with operational teams to ensure that these resources are reaching the affected persons efficiently.”

Following the training, the DDM will meet with representatives from various organisations to work through the formal elements of the Logistics plan that will be needed by the NEOC for future operations.

As the DDM continues to improve the Territorial Disaster Management Programme capacity building initiatives will be provided for target groups within various sectors. These initiatives all form part of the readiness plan which the department is working to implement in preparation for the approaching active part of the 2018 Hurricane Season and to ensure that communities continue to be ready and stay ready.

Photo 1 Attached: Certified LSS Training Cecil Jeffrey delivers training in the use of the software