A Step To A Safer Future

Amongst miraculous carpets and pictures, in the atmosphere saturated with national culture and Armenian hospitality the “Cross of Armenian Unity” NGO welcomed the representatives of ART, UMCOR and Shirak diocese who came to take part in a seminar organized by Irena Grigoryan, a Programme Officer at the NGO, one of the participants of the “Emergency Aid Preparedness” training, organised by ART and UMCOR through EPER funding.
The project ended in September with the formation of a net of 17 organisations ready to effectively and timely respond to the emergencies in cooperation with the government and relevant agencies. But despite the end of the funding, the idea of the project continues flaming in the heart of the trainees who are eager to share and disseminate their knowledge.
The seminar represented main types of emergencies typical for Armenia and put a special focus on earthquakes and radiation/nuclear weapons, giving short and concise directions as to the behavioural patterns of the population in case of the disasters. Other themes referred to fire protection, legal basis regulating the sphere in Armenia, ways of protection of civilian population, terrorism, etc. The trainer prepared Power Point presentation, special photos and pictures to make the material more comprehensible and interesting.
Irena gave an opportunity to the audience to learn the first aid basics, encouraging the participants to try the technique on their own. The seminar provided the participants with contact information and ideas of the “Emergency Aid Preparedness” training.
The members of “Cross of Armenian Unity” team were urged to practice in mind possible actions in various emergency situations. Besides they were asked to think about developing risk maps for their office/houses. Irena showed her co-workers the emergency kit she prepared for the office and asked the trainees to make such kits for themselves. She prepared also special corner dedicated to emergencies where her co-workers could get more information and materials to deepen their knowledge.
In the end of the seminar a discussion was organised where the participants shared their ideas and impressions. Mr. Grigor Babakhanyan, president of the NGO, highly estimated the cooperation with ART and UMCOR and stated that “Cross of Armenian Unity” has always been a very pro-active and enthusiastic partner trying to respond to the current trends and challenges in the most creative way. Irena and her colleagues assured that they would think of a methodology to pass to children basic skills and knowledge on emergency preparedness.
It was acknowledged that through dissemination of necessary information and continuous practice of skills it is possible to prevent serious consequences of the emergencies.