A number of officers from the District Emergency Organisation (DEO) were recently exposed to sensitisation training. This is as a result of a training workshop sponsored by the Barbados Council for the Disabled at Harambee House, Garrison, St. Michael.

The training sought to heighten the awareness of disaster and emergency personnel with regard to planning for and addressing the needs of persons with disabilities. The participants were reminded of the need to incorporate people with disabilities in their disaster plans and also their responsibilities to the special needs groups.

Several challenges faced by vulnerable persons were highlighted during the workshop, one important fact arising from the discussions is the need to have greater involvement of disabled persons in the preplanning for disasters and emergencies.

Source: St. Philip South District Emergency Organisation