Bhutan is vulnerable to many natural disasters, including flooding, landslides, earthquakes, fire hazards, and windstorms. Experts have warned that the frequency and intensity of these disasters will increase due to climate change. It is the vulnerable community that has to manage the risks in events of such disasters. Recognising this, the Department of Local Governance and Disaster Management is providing community-based disaster management training. One such training ended today in Chhukha.
The Department of Local Governance and Disaster Management said it is important to equip the public and district officials with the basic knowledge to identify and manage risks.
“Irrespective of where the disasters occur, the community people have to deal with it first-hand be it in terms of response or preparedness. District and gewog officials may not reach immediately so, the people need to know what to do,” said Thinley Norbu, the Chief Programme Officer with the Local Governance and Disaster Management Department.
He added that as of now community people are not trained or educated to manage disaster risks.
As such, the department is planning to take the programme to the gewogs in the 13th Five-Year Plan. The training is also to strengthen the capacity of district and thromde disaster management officials.
Thinley Norbu added, “Firstly, almost 70 per cent of the officials are new. So, it is essential to give them this training. Secondly, the occurrence of disasters due to climate change is increasing. Therefore, it is important to discuss and train them on disaster preparedness and responding to it.”
“It has been long since the last time we received such type of training. Also with change in time, new equipment is being brought in to manage emerging disasters. So, it is important to plan accordingly. We have to update the plans and strategize to keep up with the changing situations. So, this training will benefit us a lot,” said Tshewang Dorji, Disaster Management Officer, Thimphu.
The officials were trained on identifying hazards, resource management, risk communication, search and rescue and first aid among others during the two-week-long training.
Kinley Dem, Chhukha
Edited by Phub Gyem
