GASABO - The National Police held a workshop on how to increase efficiency and effectiveness of disaster emergency response mechanisms yesterday at its Headquarters in Kacyiru. According to the acting Commissioner General of Police, Mary Gahonzire, the workshop aims at addressing increasing emergencies from disasters which result in serious human distress and suffering. “I expect you to acquire working methodologies in line with disaster preparedness from this workshop which will help us in developing strong community based disaster preparedness programs,” Gahonzire told the participants.
GASABO - The National Police held a workshop on how to increase efficiency and effectiveness of disaster emergency response mechanisms yesterday at its Headquarters in Kacyiru.
According to the acting Commissioner General of Police, Mary Gahonzire, the workshop aims at addressing increasing emergencies from disasters which result in serious human distress and suffering.
"I expect you to acquire working methodologies in line with disaster preparedness from this workshop which will help us in developing strong community based disaster preparedness programs,” Gahonzire told the participants.
She also said that in order to strengthen disaster management, it requires integration from different areas ranging from trainings, logistics, health care as well as institutional development.
"Disaster preparedness is a continuous and integrated process resulting from a wide range of activities and resources rather than from a distinct activity. So this work is of paramount importance to us in setting up great response strategies to disaster,” she added.
While making a brief introduction on disaster management, the DMU coordinator Superintendant Celestin Twahirwa said that the most common disasters in the country are weather related natural phenomena such as floods, droughts, landslides, lightening, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions which have become more serious in the recent past.
He was also positive that the workshop will provide a basis for development of pro-active strategies aimed at addressing disaster issues in a more coordinated way at all levels.
"The main purpose of this workshop today is to reinforce comprehensive strategies by focusing on strengthening the communities’ capabilities to cope with disaster through district and community based committees,” he added.
The government of Rwanda formulated a national policy on disaster management in 2003 with an aim of addressing increasing incidences which result in destruction of property and infrastructure, disruption of the environment and the overall welfare of the society.
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