United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Aug 2008
InterWorks facilitated a refugee emergency and natural disaster management workshop from 25 – 29 August 2008 in New Delhi, India. A 5-day workshop was the third such workshop offered in Delhi and was carried out by UNHCR and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). The approach was designed to share information and build networks to support the wider SAARC Regional Disaster Management initiative. Participants included government officials, NGO representatives, Red Cross officials, and UN staff with responsibilities for disaster response in their respective countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka). The largest number of participants came from India, and most of those from New Delhi. After the workshop, participants had a greater awareness of effective practices used in managing emergencies and disasters; a broader understanding of the roles and approaches used by counterpart organizations; and strengthened cooperation, leading to improved concerted action in facing emergencies, through mutual familiarity and understanding.
The course was very educational, comprehensive in content and gave practical/functional exposure about various nuances of disaster management.
– Workshop participant
