Nbr — The North Bank Region's Disaster Management Committee recently held a two-day capacity development on disaster Management Act, resource mobilisation, roles and responsibilities, and disaster risk reduction, in Kerewan, North Bank Region.

Speaking at the event, the governor of the region, Lamin Queen Jammeh, underscored the need for strengthening the regional disaster management committees in responding to disaster. He said the government has attached great importance to disaster mitigation and risk reduction. The governor therefore lauded the efforts of UNDP in enhancing the capacity of disaster committees, noting that human resource development would enhance effective response.

Ousman Sonko, the lead trainer from KMC, and assistant community development officer, opined that the development of the capacity of disaster committee is crucial, as it would broaden their understanding on disaster issues. He said the regional committee plays an important role in disaster response and mitigation; hence the vitality of building their understanding on Disaster Management Act in particular.

Momodou Ceesay, the Regional Disaster Management coordinator, hailed the efforts of the committees in providing support to his office, citing the active participation in assessment and distribution of relief aid to affected families. He also posited that the capacity development would assist in the integration of disaster issues into regional plan, as disaster mitigation and risk reduction call for concerted efforts.

Bakary Jammeh from UNDP called on the committee to be proactive in mapping out risk and disaster hot spots in the region.