The participants of the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) workshop.
BY JOY OFASIA
A two-day disaster risk reduction workshop is currently underway at Navola Community in Gaobata, North Guadalcanal, with a strong focus on supporting people with disabilities during emergencies.
The training is organized and facilitated by the National Disability Forum and funded by the Disability Rights Fund. The workshop continues tomorrow with group discussions and practical planning exercises aimed at making sure no one is left behind when disaster strikes.
Speaking at the opening of the event, CEO of People with Disability Solomon Islands (PWDSI), Mr. Casper Fa’asala, expressed the importance of disability-inclusive disaster response.
CEO of People with Disability Solomon Islands (PWDSI), delivered a speech.
“The workshop aims to increase the knowledge and skills of the communities to understand disability inclusiveness and responsiveness in times of disaster crises or emergency,” Mr. Fa’asala said.
He explained that the training is especially important for educating local leaders, women, and youth about their responsibilities during disasters.
“It is our responsibility as caregivers to prepare to support the people with disabilities to what they will need in our communities when disaster strikes,” he added.
The event has drawn participants from six communities – Mbalasuna, Sopapera, Foxwood, Vutu, Bokomeu, and Navola – who are eager to learn how to make their disaster response more inclusive.
Stanley Holmes Vutande, Provincial Secretary of the Christian Outreach Centre (COC) in Guadalcanal, welcomed the participants and praised the initiative.
Stanely Holmes Vutande, Provincial Secretary for the Christian Outreach Centre (COC) in Guadalcanal, delivered opening remarks.
“We are very happy for this opportunity to have this very important workshop in our community,” Mr. Vutande said. “I hope that these two days’ workshop will be a benefit and bring life to us as we learn more to support the people with special needs in these communities.”
