By Abubakarr Harding
SAVE the Children International has on the 24th August,2022 concluded a three-day capacity-building training for staff of the National Disaster Management Agency and other institutions on the protection of children and women during disasters and emergencies.
The training attracted 52 participants from the NDMA, Family Support Unit of the Sierra Leone Police, Ministry of Social Welfare, Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs and the National Commission for Social Action and covered topics such as Safeguarding of Women and Children in Emergency, Gender in Emergency and Protection of Women and Children in Emergency.
The training also focused on enhancing the capacity of NDMA in the collection of data especially those related to children and women during disasters and emergencies. Other topics such as the importance of Gender in Emergency Preparedness Planning (EPP), Integration of Gender into EPP & Emergency Response, Gender EPP Guidelines, Legal and Normative Framework of Child Protection in Emergency, Commitment towards Gender Equality in Emergency, Child Protection Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Action (CPMS) and the Key Guiding Actions for Child Protection in Emergency were looked into.
Speaking at the commencement of the training, the Country Director of SAVE the Children in Sierra Leone, Patrick Analo expressed his appreciation for the mutual and beneficial relationship that has existed between his Organization and the NDMA. He also mentioned that SAVE the Children has partnered with and supported the NDMA, especially in the areas of capacity building and the provision of relief items to disaster victims, since its formation.
“I think SAVE the Children International has played a pivotal role in building the capacity of the NDMA since its establishment. We have supported the Agency’s operations and activities, and we have also benefitted a lot from those supports,” he said
The lead facilitator, Madam Claudia Campbell stated that the participants were trained on how to protect children and women from harm and injury and also respond to the needs of children efficiently during emergencies.
“The knowledge and skills gained will enable you to follow the required standards and principles to competently protect children and women from violence (Physical & Mental) and to effectively assist survivors of disasters,” she stated.
