The president of the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL), Atty. Dewey Gray, has called on victims and survivors of Sexual and Gender Based Violence to remain steadfast in obtaining their education.

Identifying with the children at the Juvenile Transit Home (JTH) of the Touching Humanity In Need of Kindness (THINKS) as they observed the coming holidays, she admonished them to go to school, study their lessons and remain respectful.

Speaking at the Juvenile Transit Home in Duport Road on Wednesday when they presented to the THINK some assorted items for the children, the AFELL Boss told the victims and survivors at the JTH to take time with their already shattered lives, stating we know you have lost your lives but "we will help you put it back together again".

She stated that during this time of Christmas, which is a time for loving, giving and caring, the AFELL decided to identify with their survivors and victims of SGBV in order to assure them that they at the AFELL have not forgotten about them.

Atty. Gray said, "our not coming to seeing you at other times does not mean we do not care about you, but that we are working towards the betterment of your future."

"Don't feel left out of society; don't look down upon yourself and feel ashamed of what had happened to you, but keep your face up and say I can make it despite my situation," Atty. Gray added.

Making remarks also, the Executive Director of THINK, Rosana Schaack thanked the AFELL for their continuous and good partnership over the years.

She said it was kind of the AFELL to make the children feel wanted, loved and cared for during this Christmas Season. She stated that THINKS has two rehabilitation centers in the country; one in Buchanan and the other in the ELWA Community.

Madam schaack also mentioned that THINK is catering to over 500 survivors at their survivor homes and over 400 at their Transit Homes.

The Executive Director of THINK said that the organization was established in April of 2003.Stakeholders Hold Talk For National Disaster Risk Management

In line with the Liberia Vision and Mission for Disaster Risk Management System, the National Disaster Risk Commission has embarked on discussion to establish Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction.

According to the stakeholders the National Action Plan has the following five objectives:

to create an effective and functional legal and institutional framework on DRM, to strengthen disaster preparedness for effective emergency response, to improve risk identification and assessment of disaster risks in the country, to enhance information and knowledge management for disaster risk management; and to contribute to national risk management applications for poverty reduction in Liberia.

The two days discussion was held at the SOS Clinic in Congo Town from December 18-19 and several stakeholders from various government ministries, agencies and the World Health Organization.

The National Disaster Relief Commission (NDRC) was established in 1976, as an entity in the Ministry of Internal Affairs by President William R. Tolbert, Jr. by an executive order Number.

Reasons for establishing such an organization was to cater to disaster victims; review regularly different disaster prevention, preparedness, relief and rehabilitation measures and to coordinate them; for planning; and establish and maintain liaison with the representative of the UN agencies, donors which have programs within the country.

The NDRC comprises several line ministries and government agencies as well as local and international non-governmental partners.

The Africa Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction notes that Africa is the only continent whose share of reported disasters in the world has increased over the past decade. More and more people are affected by hazards and economic losses are rising.

The NDRC is a seven year National Action Plan. The time frame is given for each activity or a set of activities within a timeframe of seven years from 2008 to 2015..