A joint exercise between teams from the region's
security forces took place at Kibbutz Gesher recently to train for a proper first
response in times of crisis until the arrival of search and rescue forces. Limited
access and rough terrain after an earthquake mean that rescue teams may take
some time to arrive.
The exercise is part of the Regional Disaster Management
(RegDis) Project, a collaboration between BGU's PREPARED Center for Emergency
Response Research, Magen David Adom (MDA), the Jordanian Red Crescent and the Palestinian
NGO Greenland Association.
Local emergency teams of 15 volunteers were formed in various communities in
Jordan, the Palestinian Authority and Israel. During the current exercise, the
teams underwent a 100-hour course on subjects such as needs assessment, first
aid, shelter, hygiene promotion, psycho-social support, search and rescue,
firefighting and community resilience.
The teams will be scattered along the Jordan River bank in Israel’s Emek
Hama’ayanot region, Hevel Eilot region and Kuseife, a Bedouin town. Similar
training took place simultaneously in Palestinian and Jordanian communities.
First-response teams throughout the region will also be prepared to assist one
another during an emergency.
After the exercise, a ceremony attended by the president of the Jordanian Red
Crescent, a senior representative of BGU and the head of the Emek Hama’ayanot
Regional Council was held.
Prof. Limor Aharonson-Daniel, BGU’s Deputy Rector for International
Academic Relations and Director of the PREPARED Center for Emergency Response
Research, who leads the project, said: “The project is funded by the EU’s Peace
Partnership and has granted us the opportunity to once again promote lifesaving
activities together. The collaboration, which began with training the first
Jordanian paramedics a decade ago, continues with the establishment of local
emergency-response teams over the past three years. In the future we aim to establish
a master’s program in emergency response and crisis management. Above all, the
project has sparked personal relationships and friendships that prove that
regional collaboration is indeed possible.”
Above: Members of the strategic decision making forum before the start of the exercise.
Above: Local volunteers with the project's leaders