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Community Volunteers Trained in Earthquake Non-structural Mitigation
National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET) in collaboration with Shapla Neer Nepal has concluded a three day Training of Trainers (ToT) program on Non-structural Mitigation (NSM) measures. The training aims to build the capacity of women volunteers in reducing the earthquake risk caused by the non-structural elements in households. The training was held on 16-18 March, 2016 at Yalamaya Kendra, Patan Dhoka, and was targeted at women volunteers at community level. It was the third training held as part of NSET’s ‘Training and Campaign for Earthquake Non-structural Mitigation’ program.
Altogether 23 participants (20 women and three men) benefited from the training. Participants were from Community Disaster Risk Management Committees (CDMC), plus Urban Health Volunteers, civil society representatives and social mobilizers representing Wards 10 and 34 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) and Wards 12 and 22 of Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City (LSMC).
The training concluded with a Certificate Handover Ceremony, which was chaired by Mr. Ram Kumar Dhakal, Disaster Risk Reduction Division Chief of LSMC. Officials from the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development (MoFALD), participating wards of Kathmandu and Lalitpur and organizing organizations NSET and Shapla Neer were also present at the ceremony.
During the ceremony Ms. Elina Karki of KMC Ward 34 expressed on the behalf of the participants that the training was a great opportunity for all the women volunteers in understanding the earthquake risk of non-structural elements. She also shared that she found the training to be very useful for preparedness at community level. She confirmed her commitment to applying the skills learnt during the training and sharing her new knowledge with family members and neighbors.
NSET’s Gender, Social and Environmental Management Specialist and lead trainer Bhubaneswari Parajuli emphasized that although this training had ended, the real training was only beginning because it had given an additional responsibility to the participants. She further added that the aim of the training is fulfilled only when the participants apply the NSM knowledge and skills learnt in their houses and extend it to the community.
Likewise Ms. Maki Miyahara, Country Representative of Shapla Neer Nepal, shared that she felt very happy to see the smiling faces of the participants and was sure it was due to the impact of the training. She congratulated all of them.
Ms. Sushila Shakya, member of the Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City Office and Secretary of CDMC 12 highlighted the role of women in community preparedness and also shared some challenges. She said that the selection of women as the target group in the program was very effective. Ms. Shakya urged everybody to share the learnings in their family and community so people would realize the importance of NSM.
Administrative Officer Ms. Sarita Rai, representative from KMC Ward 10, focused on the need to develop a monitoring mechanism at the ward level. The mechanism should have high coordination with the ward in the activities held at the community level. She also encouraged participants to share the knowledge and skills gained with other people in order to reduce the risk during future earthquakes.
Mr. Shyam Kanta Khanal, representative of MoFALD, agreed on the need for this training in other municipalities too. He further committed to recommend such activities to the Ministry for future collaboration. He said that the selection of women for the program was the best point and the active participation and commitment of women in the various activities was very impressive.
In his closing remarks, LSMC’s Disaster Risk Reduction Division Chief Mr. Ram Kumar Dhakal shared that LSMC has been implementing many earthquake risk reduction activities, but NSM had not been addressed before. He added that NSM is very important and LMSC will give due consideration to this aspect of earthquake preparedness. He also offered on behalf of the municipality to extend support for the women volunteers.
The training was a complete package of NSM knowledge and skills. It also covered the basics of earthquake preparedness.