PRCS Marks the International Day for Risk Reduction in Ithna

(Ithna – 10/11/2012): PRCS organized a ceremony in Ithna (Hebron Governorate) to mark the International Day for Risk Reduction with the participation of volunteers from the PRCS’ Risk Reduction Program and PRCS/Ithna in addition to several representatives from local and governmental bodies in the town.

In his opening remarks, Jamal Al Tamizi, Head of PRCS/Ithna, spoke about achievements made by PRCS in the town and neighboring areas as well as how its services developed and expanded, currently reaching around 1000 persons on a monthly basis. He also touched on the launching of the Risk Reduction Program in Ithna and neighboring villages. He commended the close cooperation between the local community and institutions in Ithna on the one hand and PRCS on the other, and looked forward to enhancing this cooperation in the future.

Speaking on behalf of Ithna institutions, Hashem Al Tamizi, the recently elected Mayor, lauded services provided by PRCS in Palestine and the Diaspora in general and in Ithna in particular. He promised to further cooperation with PRCS in the future.

Marwan Sultan, Deputy Governor of Hebron, underlined the importance of the Risk Reduction Program adopted and developed by PRCS in view of ensuring that the local community is ready to face disasters.

Mr. Bashir Ahmad, Director of the Disaster Management Unit at PRCSWest Bank, said the Program’s objectives are in line with the Society’s strategy which aims at enabling Palestinians to face disasters throughout the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. “The Program in and around Ithna targets more than 60.000 people, providing them with educational programs, practical training as well as tools to face disasters”, he said. In addition, he thanked the German, Swedish, and Norwegian Red Cross for their continuous support for this program in particular.

Jibreel Al Tamizi, Program coordinator in Ithna, spoke about the Program and its volunteers in the town as well as programs implemented to the benefit of the local community, including training courses and workshops held to prepare the local population for potential disasters.

The ceremony featured artistic and educational activities including a play on 'scrap iron’, dabkeh dances by volunteers from Tarkoumia and another interlude by schoolgirls from Askalan Elementary School for girls in Ithna.