Altaf Hamid Rao
MIRPUR ( AJK),(Parliament Times):Azad Jammu Kashmir Chapter of Pakistan Red Crescent Society provided first aid training to more than 70,000 people in Mirpur division.
And at the same time the AJK Red Crescent Society’s Chairman, Sardar Shafiq Ahmed Khan is going to provide financial assistance to 500 families in flood-affected areas, it was officially said.
The three-day capacity-building Emergency Response Team Workshop was organized in Mirpur in collaboration with Azad Jammu Kashmir Red Crescent and the International Committee of the Red Cross. 20 emergency responders from Mirpur district participated in the workshop held in Mirpur AJK at the office a local NGI on Wednesday, official sources close to the PRCS AJK Chapter told APP here on Wednesday.
The aim of the emergency team workshop was to make the capabilities of responders and the response mechanism effective and fast in the event of any emergency situation or accident in Mirpur. The Azad Jammu Kashmir Red Crescent Chairman Sardar Shafique attended the closing ceremony of the workshop as the chief guest.
the trainee participants were also informed about the history, basic principles, ongoing programs and projects of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.
Program Coordinator Yasir Josh imparted comprehensive training to the training participants on first aid pre-hospital, emergency care, principles of first aid, choke, burn, resuscitation in case of heart attack, awareness of local hazards, and measures to be taken to combat them.
Addressing the participants of the workshop, Sardar Shafiq Ahmed Khan said that making the local level response mechanism effective and fast is the top priority of the Red Crescent. He further said that after Mirpur, emergency workshops will be organized in Bhimber, Kotli, Neelum Valley and other districts and emergency kits will also be provided so that any unexpected emergent situation can be dealt with.
Talking about disasters and emergencies, the Chairman said that disasters and emergencies are not only a test of the system but also a test of our professional skills, which helps us to test our preparedness. Sardar Shafiq Ahmed Khan further said that the Red Crescent was providing its services in all the districts of Azad Kashmir without discrimination and without affiliation. Talking about the recent flood-affected districts of Neelum and Muzaffarabad, the Chairman said that with the cooperation of the Turkish Red Crescent, the flood victims are going to provide financial assistance. Talking about Female Responders, Sardar Shafiq said that it was a matter of pride for him that girls are also part of the emergency response team. The Chairman Red Crescent also thanked the management and the entire team of the local NGO in Mirpur.
The closing ceremony was also attended by Muhammad Suleman, Executive Manager of the NGO Mirpur.
Addressing the ceremony, Suleman Ahmed appreciated the initiatives and efforts taken by the Red Crescent and reiterated the commitment to further improve the coordination between the Red Crescent Azad Jammu Kashmir and his NGO.
Chairman Red Crescent Sardar Shafiq Ahmed Khan distributed certificates among the trainee participants. In addition, a cake was also cut on the occasion of World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day.
It may be pointed out that May 8 is celebrated as International Red Cross and Red Crescent Day all over the world.