The training of trainers (TOT) on emergency response conducted beginning from the 8th of June has successfully ended on Thursday 18th.
The training, which aims to build a cadre of trainers who can effectively deliver emergency response training to the provinces and disaster risk management partner institutions, has concluded with participants receiving certificates.
Making his remarks to the participants during a small closing ceremony held at the Honiara Hotel on Thursday afternoon, Mr. Loti Yates mentioned that “you are now the country’s emergency response trainers, and the NDMO will be depending on your work in training your organisation and communities on Emergency Response”.
He also highlighted as emergency response trainers, it will be expected of them to do carry out trainings in their communities to have them prepared during emergency situations, which will call for their ability as the first responders.
Also speaking at the closing is the Solomon Islands Red Cross Society Secretary General Ms. Joanne Zoleveke, who also echoed the same sentiment by the Director of the National Disaster Management Office Mr. Loti Yates.
She also added that the knowledge the “trainers acquire will be tested on how communities and organisations will likely to respond during any disaster in the future”, and that “from this training they should now be planning ahead on how they could get the information across to them”.
Meanwhile, participants have been very satisfied with the facilitators and the level of the course offered during the training.
“This training has given us a lot of insight into the area of emergency response. Having this training is important as it helps us those who head disaster departments in our organisationsto become equipped with the knowledge and skills relevant for emergency situations, as well as be able to pass it on to our staff or successors once we leave”, said OsbertLalahu who attended the training on behalf of the World Vision.
Moreover many of the participants have also expressed their gratitude towards having the opportunity to be part of the training.
“This is the first time I have been able to attend such a Training for Trainers on Emergency Response and this has given me the opportunity to be helpful in my organisation as well as my community,” Mr.Lalahu also added.
All twenty participants who have attended the training graduated with certificates. “The only thing that remains is for each one of us to go out to our respective settings, whether it is our respective organisations or communities and train them about emergency response and how they can play their role more effectively,” said Gideon Solo, an SIRCS Disaster and Risk Reduction Coordinator who is also a participant in the training.
