The Field Assessment and Co-ordination Team (FACT) training programme will conclude today with participants completing the theoretical and practical parts, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has said.
Some 34 representatives from 22 Red Crescent and Red Cross National Societies around the world are taking part in the 11-day course organised by QRCS and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
The training aims to create an international team who will respond to major disasters by making situation reports and develop intervention plans in co-ordination with the host National Society based on the urgent needs.
The training mechanism involves identifying the damage in healthcare, food, shelter, water, and sanitation in the affected place. The team is deployed immediately within 24 to 48 hours of the disaster.
The first part of the theoretical part included briefing FACT members on their duties and responsibilities especially during a disaster.
The remaining days of the training involve the practical part, which applies the “learning by
doing” strategy.
In the disaster simulation, Al Khor City was shaken by an earthquake that affected infrastructures and left behind some damage, deaths, and injuries. FACT members were summoned to assess the impact and prepare for later intervention by other relief teams.
Divided into four working groups, the trainees visited several government authorities in Al Khor such as the North Security Department, hospital, airport, and Al Ruwais Port. They met with top officials who contributed largely to the success of the training.
As part of the scenario, security checkpoints were set up on the route of the FACT team, which was asked to get prior permission to enter the place affected by a disaster.
The trainees were not allowed to proceed pending the permit from the host National Society such as QRCS. This is a key requirement that must be considered by the assessment team while working in actual disasters globally.
A presentation of the training outputs will be presented to QRCS board of directors to review the achievements and effective response mechanisms.
Hosted by QRCS with support from IFRC and the British Red Cross, the training programme is the 23rd FACT taking place for the first time in the Mena region. Qatar is represented by three volunteers from QRCS.