Building volunteers capacity to respond to disasters is a focus area for Syrian Red Crescent. In particular, since the response to the Zeizoun dam collapse in 2002, where just a few volunteers made a huge difference to those affected, the National Society has worked hard to increase this capacity.

The following responses benefited greatly from this experience, with quicker, more organized decisions and actions. In 2003, a disaster management programme was launched, aiming to qualify and increase the technical and information capacity of the volunteers in disaster response through training courses, camps and drills.

Partnerships with the local communities, as well as government and other organizations, have proved priceless to strengthen the capacity and build the local strengths to respond.
The experiences of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent volunteers are also valuable internationally, and they have contributed to responses and trainings in Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Malaysia and Yemen.


For more information contact Darine El Sabeh, Youth Advisor, International Federation Regional Delegation in Amman