The Gambia Red Cross Society (GRCS), in the collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Zone office in Dakar, yesterday began a three-day capacity building training held at the Boabab Holiday Resort in Bijilo. 

The workshop is part of the International Red Cross movement's strategy for disaster risk reduction and it is geared towards building safer and more resilient communities by scaling up their disaster risk reduction work amongst the most vulnerable. In his welcoming remarks, Momodou Bah, the secretary general of The Gambia Red Cross Society, disclosed that his society has responded positively by providing over one million dalasi worth of building materials to this year's disaster victims. According to him, they will continue to strengthen both their staff and volunteers in the area of disaster management and to also respond to other emergencies. Bah assured the National Disaster Management Agency of his society's continuous support and urged the participants to take the training seriously.

For his part, Essa Khan, executive director of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), revealed that 16,000 victims are currently affected countrywide and that the figure is likely to increase as a result of flood in the country. According to him, his agency is tasked with the national co-ordination of disaster management and that they will continue to work with partners to make sure that the impact is felt at the grassroots level.

Khan added that the agency will ensure that disaster risk reduction is an integrated part of climate change adoption and that they will continue to advocate adequate financial resource for the benefit of the affected victims. The executive directive further commended the government of The Gambia for the leadership role while thanking the GRCS and IFRS for the partnership. He noted the significance of the training as it will go a long way to complement efforts in the reduction of disaster threats in the country.

Frederic Blas, IFRC Shelter trainer base in Geneva who is also facilitating the training expressed hope that the training will equip participant with knowledge of how to respond to disaster risk reduction. He thanked the management of the National Disaster Management Agency for the way and manner they are handling disaster related emergency in the Gambia.