/Items filtered by date: June 2021
Items filtered by date: June 2021
Malawi Red Cross Society trains DoDMA staff in administering first aid
The Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) has trained Department of Disaster Management Affairs' (DoDMA) staff in administering basic first aid during emergencies.
The trained personnel, 31 in total, included directors, technical officers from the response and risk reduction sections, human resource, accounts, administrative officers and drivers. They underwent basic training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, choking management, dressing wounds and bandaging; among others.
Speaking on Monday (7th June, 2021) in Dowa during the official opening ceremony, MRCS President Innocent Majiya said working in emergencies requires one to have basic knowledge and skills in administering first aid.
"During disaster response, issues related to assisting affected persons become common, alongside provision of search and rescue. The technicians and experts involved in this require basic knowledge and skills in first aid.
"First response can increase chances of survival; reduce severity of damage to organs; or mitigate serious injuries. A person trained in first aid is empowered to intervene at the most critical moment and can save lives during emergencies," said Majiya.
In his remarks, DoDMA's Director of Disaster Response and Recovery Rev. Moses Chimphepo commended MRCS for organizing the training.
"Of late, the magnitude and frequency of disasters has drastically increased, so too is the number of deaths and injuries. The knowledge and skills that will be acquired through this training will therefore, go a long way not only in saving people's lives but also improve DoDMA's service delivery during emergency response."
The three-day training was organized by the MRCS in collaboration with DoDMA, with funding from the Malawi Government.
MRCS and DoDMA have been long time partners in implementing various disaster risk management programmes in the country. Following the March 2019 Cyclone-Idai induced floods which left 60 people dead, 672 injured and 87,000 people displaced, the two partners jointly provided a return package which included construction materials and foodstuffs, to displaced communities.