WESTERN PROVINCE

KARONGI — At least 50 people drawn from across the province have been trained on how to respond to disasters.

The three-day workshop held in Karongi district last week was organised by the Rwanda National Police (RNP) in collaboration UNICEF, aimed at equipping participants with skills on the prevention and response to disasters.

Closing the workshop, Superintendent Celestin Twahirwa, the head of National Disaster Preparedness programme, called on Rwandans to always prevent and respond early to disasters whenever they strike.

In a separate interview, Supt. Jean Marie Vianney Rurangirwa, the Karongi District Police Commander, who was also one of the participants, said they had acquired useful knowledge for disaster management.

"This workshop has equipped everyone with basic knowledge about disasters, how it can be contained before destroying people’s property and lives. We shall utilise what we have achieved here,” he said.

The Western Province has previously been hit by disasters including heavy rains and earthquakes, which killed over a dozen people and left others homeless.

Supt Twahirwa urged participants to mobilise area residents to develop a culture of helping each other during difficult times.
This workshop is the second of its kind following the first one held in the Southern Province.

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