Disaster Risk Reduction training for elderly

KOCHI: In an attempt to equip the elderly to face disasters and hazards preparedly, a two-day training programme on ‘Disaster Risk Reduction’ (DRR) for Elderly Self Help Groups (ESHGs) jointly organised by HelpAge India and Association for Stimulating Know-How (ASK) was inaugurated by Dominic Presentation MLA at Ashirbhavan in Kacheripady on Monday.Speaking at the inauguration, the MLA said that the DRR training and proper disaster management has helped countries like Japan and USA to minimise the loss of lives and infrastructure during major disasters in the past. He added that the training would help the groups to minimise the impact of a potential disaster.Organisers said that the programme aims to create awareness regarding the need for pre-planned action to reduce the risk of disasters and also the ways and means to reduce the risk. DRR Training for ESHGs, funded by HelpAge India’s Sponsor-a-Grandparent Programme, will cover 60 ESHGs from Ernakulam, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Idukki and Thiruvananthapuram districts. There are four training programmes scheduled for Kerala (two at Kochi and two at Kottayam) spanning eight days from Monday to February 6, 2012.Overall 120 members will participate in the programme, said organisers.