Red Cross Trains 60 Volunteers on Safety, Security

Over 60 volunteers of the Nigerian Red Cross Society in Enugu state have been trained on volunteer safety and security.

The two-day program which was supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC, was aimed at increasing the access, acceptance, and security of the organisation’s volunteers as they respond to emergencies and humanitarian needs of the people of the state.

While declaring the training open, the Branch Secretary, Hon. Tony Udegbu, appreciated the ICRC for their “sustained effort at improving the technical and operational capacity of the Red Cross volunteers in the state”. According to Mr. Udegbu, trainings such as this are important considering the challenges volunteers face in the field; as it will increase the organisation’s ability to address more humanitarian needs and adopt better ways of increasing security, acceptance, and access in communities.

Delivering his lecture, the Disaster Management Officer of the Red Cross in the state, Mr Morris Michael, stressed the importance of a safer access framework for the Nigerian Red Cross Society. He stated that the security of all Red Cross personnel was paramount and it was the responsibility of the organisation to ensure the safety of all those working with them.

“The Safer Access Framework contains a set of actions and measures that can be taken by the Red Cross to reduce risks to its staff, volunteers, and facilities, especially when working in sensitive and insecure contexts. Adherence to the tenets of safer access framework will increase our ability to address the humanitarian needs of more people and better meet the challenges of today’s complicated and evolving humanitarian environment”.

Some volunteers who expressed their delight with the exercise described the training as a key volunteer security and safety tool which should be followed at all times. A participant, Chito Sheila Ilo who described the training as enlightening and essential said she was better positioned to render humanitarian service.

“I found the Safer Access Framework training to be extremely valuable and engaging. It provided me with crucial skills and knowledge to work in challenging environments, and I feel more confident in ensuring the safety and security of both my teammates and the communities we serve.

I look forward to putting into practice most of the teachings that I learnt to specific situations I may encounter in the field as a volunteer of the Nigerian Red Cross Society.”

Participants for the training were drawn from Igboeze North, Enugu East, Enugu North, Enugu South and Nkanu West Local Government Areas of the state.