UNDP, DHL hold disaster preparedness workshop
Deutsche Post DHL, a mail and logistics services group, and the
United Nations Development Program (UNDP) with the Ministries of
Disaster Management and of Civil Aviation held a disaster preparedness
workshop 'Get Airports Ready for Disaster' (GARD) in Colombo last week.
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UNDP and DHL officials at the workshop |
The four-day workshop from December 2 to 5, provided training to 34
Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) personnel to effectively
deliver and support relief operations in the aftermath of a natural
disaster.
Disaster Management Ministry Secretary, Ms. S. M. Mohamed said, "We
consider GARD to be an essential part of improved disaster preparedness
at national level.
GARD will have significance for Sri Lanka being an island country,
which depends heavily on airports to get external assistance and inputs
in the event of a national disaster. We look forward to getting our
airports prepared to face disasters of all scales."
Civil Aviation Ministry Secretary, Dr. T.R.C. Ruberu said, "When
disasters strike, airports are a vital point in disaster management and
recovery. Preparedness of airports to face national disasters will
enable delivery of rapid and effective response and build capacity of
the nation to be more resilient in the face of crises."
"We appreciate DHL-UNDP cooperation, which provided an excellent
opportunity for Sri Lanka to learn from previous GARD experiences in
other countries," he said.
The Civil Aviation Ministry looks forward to work with DHL and UNDP
to ensure that our airports are resilient and responsive in the face of
disasters.
Launched in 2009, the GARD program was co-developed by Deutsche Post
DHL and UNDP to preparing airports in disaster-prone areas to respond
quickly. |
