On November 30th, 2013, the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD), in cooperation with the People’s Committee of Hai Duong and Huong Phong communes, organized a commune-level competition workshop among rapid response teams from different villages. Taking place at the meeting room of Huong Phong commune, the event was attended by nearly 150 participants including members of 5 village response teams and delegates from communal People’s Committees.
The contest was one of the activities of the project named “Community based disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation”, funded by Caritas Australia and Australian AID. The purpose was to help the members of RRT review their knowledge and skills in first aids treatment, rescuing and supporting villagers when disasters occur. In addition, it offered rapid response team members from different villages chance to get to know each other and sharing experiences in disaster risk reduction.
The opening speech of the contest was followed by four main sections of the contest, namely: Greeting, First Aid knowledge, First aid skills and Communications. Throughout these sections, a variety of unique and locally characterized performances ranging from ">skit to singing were staged by 5 rapid response teams. Humorous and simple answers given by the audiences in the First aid knowledge section also created lively atmosphere for the competition.
The sections revolved around life-saving, first aid and communications skills. In the Greeting section, many teams made ">humorous introductions in which they acknowledged the effective supports of SRD. First aid knowledge section was considered quite challenging for the teams. However, it helped them to review basic knowledge on Climate Change and Disaster Prevention in general and First Aid in particular. In the First Aid skill section, 5 teams took part in injury response, in which they had to show how to respond to some common injuries often occurring during disaster such as proving initial treatments for people with broken arms and legs. The requirements of this section are the accuracy and timeliness of first aid treatments and safety in carrying the injured to ambulance.
Rapid response teams giving their answers The first aid skill competition in action
in First Aid knowledge section
The competition among rapid response teams 2013 witnessed the active engagement of female members. Some creative performances such as singing, skit, etc in the communications section have left profound impression on audiences and have significant communications impacts. “We feel really happy when taking part in the competitions. On behalf of my team, I would like to say thanks to SRD, the project and the People’s Committee for providing us the chance to get to know each other and sharing experiences. Events like this have encouraged us to perform better when disasters actually strike”, said Ms. Thu Suong, a member of An Lai village’s rapid response team.
Dương Thượng. A meaninful and highly communicative skit of a team from Thai Duong Thuong village
Overall, while the rapid response team from Tien Thanh and Van Quat Thuong village shared the first prize, the team from Van Quat Dong and An Lai finished runner-up. The third prize belonged to Thai Duong Thuong team, which was followed by 2 other teams. The competition ended successfully. All participants were in high spirits, which promises a successful competition next year.
Mr. Le Van Anh – a member of SRD’s advisory board and Mr. Ngo The – Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Huong Phong commune handing flowers and souvenir flags to the rapid response teams.
-SRD-
Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD)
No.31, Alley 19 Kim Dong Street, Hoang Mai District, Ha Noi
Phone: +84 24 3943 6676/78 | Fax: +84 24 3943 6449
