Leyte Officials Learn Disaster Management from Germany

A team of officials from Leyte province embarked on a mission to study Germany’s disaster management system organized by the International Search and Rescue Germany (ISAR).

Vice Governor Carlo Loreto, who led the team, said Monday the trip from Oct. 24 to Nov. 1 taught them ways to further develop Leyte’s pre-disaster preparedness and post-disaster response.

“Through this workshop, we were able to learn crucial information that will help the province prepare for any natural disaster, such as Super Typhoon Yolanda,” Loreto said.

The Leyte delegation shared their firsthand experiences before, during, and after the onslaught of the super typhoon back in 2013, as well as how the province got back on its feet following the calamity.

As part of the United Nations rescue mission, ISAR Germany extended assistance to the recovery of Leyte after the catastrophe through several humanitarian projects in Leyte.

These humanitarian projects have been focused on the reconstruction and supply of rescue equipment, such as ambulances and rescue boats. Part of these ongoing projects is the education of rescuers and trainers.

ISAR Germany, in a statement, said it will apply for a research and development project for the promotion and implementation of a disaster management system for Leyte by the end of 2018.

The project, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, will be a common scheme between the Philippines and Germany and will run for three years.

The initiative funds research and development projects within the International Disaster and Risk Management, or the IKARIM, program.

The goal of IKARIM is the common development and implementation of innovative and application-oriented solutions in the fields of disaster prevention, disaster management, and restoration.

The program aims to strengthen the resilience of partner countries against natural and technical risks, as well as the transfer of know-how and the formation of international partnerships for disaster risk management.

As part of the project, Leyte will receive unmanned aerial vehicles or drones, and communications equipment, among others, while the province’s personnel will undergo training while developing solutions to actual challenges during calamities.

The delegation from Leyte includes Police provincial director Norberto Tuazon, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) – Leyte chief Leonard Bañago, Board Member Mesias Arevalo, BFP 8 (Eastern Visayas) Director Wilberto Rico Neil Kwan Tiu, Office of Civil Defense assistant regional director Rey Gozon, Leyte provincial disaster and risk reduction and management chief Arvin Monge, and Army Major Marvin Caspillo. (PNA)