The Syrian Arab Red Crescent youth are actively involved in the disaster responses of their National Society. Working to provide assistance in the refugee camps in Syria to the refugees fleeing Iraq after the military actions, and also assisting the response to the Zeizoun Dam collapse in 2002, the youth have been to put into practice their knowledge from trainings at national and international level.

The youth have been involved in trainings at all level arranged by the National Society and by the International Federation, such as disaster preparedness, emergency response unit, tracing, basic relief health and first aid. Thanks to their knowledge and experience they were able to design the structure of the camps, prepare the necessary facilities to ensure sheltering, nutrition, health, water and sanitation and psychological support. All this was prepared using as basis the “sphere standards”.

The main lesson learnt at the responses, was that there need to increase even more the training opportunity for the RC volunteers.

Around 500 young volunteers, between 18 and 30, took part in these emergencies, the response actions were very valuable for all of them, and it also increased their motivation to continue working for the Syrian Arab Red Cresent.

For more information:

• International Federation disaster management section
• Contact details for Syrian Arab Red Crescent youth in the youth Directory
• Contact details for Syrian Arab Red Crescent