During April 2 - July 13, 2012 COERR has organized the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Training in all 9 refugee camps and 10 Thai villages in which 2,337 community-based participants/volunteers (1,923 refugees and 414 Thai villagers) have participated in the total of 43 Training Sessions conducted.

COERR invited Mr. Somsub Thongtae, Trainers from Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Regional Center (DPMRC), to train our target participants on “Community–based Fire Prevention and Control”. The training manual prepared in Thai by the trainers was translated into Karen and Burmese language version by COERR to be distributed to all participants on the training days.

The first day training session focused on the drawing of community maps which identify safe areas and dangerous areas in the community for evacuation should situation requires. By the end of the first training day, each camp section and Thai village has selected their Emergency Response & Environment Protection (ER/EP) Team to be Volunteers for disaster preparedness in their communities.

The Emergency Preparedness Drill has been conducted on the second day of the training, the aim of which was to provide experience and build the confidence of the ER/EP team to cope with emergency situations.

After the training, 30 participants (20 refugees and 10 Thai villagers) were randomly selected and interviewed, in which the feedback regarding our training was given as beneficial and should be extended.

The effectiveness of our training was clearly demonstrated on 31 May 2012, when a fire broke out at a house in Umpiem Camp, Tak Province. The volunteers who had been trained by COERR could immediately respond and quickly put out the fire -- using the training and equipment from a mini-firefighting station provided by COERR. As a result, only 1 house was burned, and the fire was successfully prevented from spreading to other houses.

Number of participants
     - Umpiem Camp (UP), Tak Province - 306 Trainees
     - Nupo Camp (NP), Tak Province – 316 Trainees
     - Mae La Camp (ML), Tak Province- 372 Trainees
     - Tham Hin Camp (THI), Ratchaburi Province- 191 Trainees
     - Ban Don Yang Camp (BDY), Kanchanaburi Province- 95 Trainees
     - Ban Mai Nai Soi Camp (BMN), Mae Hong Son Province- 194 Trainees
     - Ban Mae Surin Camp (BMS), Mae Hong Son Province- 77 Trainees
     - Mae La Oon Camp (MLO), Mae Hong Son Province- 231 Trainees
     - Mae La Ma Luang Camp (MLM), Mae Hong Son Province- 141 Trainees
     - 10 Thai Villages nearby camps- 414 Trainees

Follow-up activity - On August 1, the Agricultural and Environmental staff followed up the program in Ban Mainaisoi camp in Mae Hong Son Province, in which the mini – fire station has been set up in Section 14 as a model for other sections to follow. Necessary equipment has been provided including fire swatter flaps and hook which are being produced.

During August 7-10, the Agricultural and Environmental staff have attended a risk reduction training held in Chiangmai. The skills and techniques acquired from the “Child–led Disaster Risk Reduction” training will enable COERR staff to strengthen the capacity of children and youth in camps in disaster risk reduction in schools and communities.