In this dry season, COERR Mae Sarieng used Incident Command System in implementing the Disaster risk reduction training to enable refugees to realize the significance of safety of lives and properties. The training was in coordination with the refugee camp committee and the Mae La Noi Subdistrict-Municipal Office’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Team, aiming at providing capacity building for refugees in disaster preparedness, focusing on fire safety; prevention and respond in an effort to mitigate loss of life and property.

   The training was organized on January 29, 2019 in Ban Mae La Oon camp and on January 30, 2019 at Ban Mae Lama Luang camp. The contents were about review of disasters happened in these camps, i.e. fire, landslides and flash floods; risk reduction lessons learned from the past; preparedness and watch of any signal about rainfalls and water level, rain water gauge, for prevention of damages; follow-up weather forecast; and evacuation to safe place.

   Next was the theory about how fire starts and how to stop it. The simple way is to throw bags of water and sand into fire, as well as to use the fire pat to stop fire. Fire hook is needed to demolish the leaf roof before they caught fire. Evacuation drill of children, elderly, sick and handicapped to the safe area is conducted.

   Then the trainers taught about how to keep and maintain the fire extinguishers for good use. There was a fire drill for every participant to practice how to use fire extinguishers.

   Finally, an evacuation drill was launched, using the standard Incident Command System (ICS) in giving command, control and coordination of emergency response. This approach has proved successful by refugee participants.

   Fire Safety training and Evacuation Drill held in Ban Mae La Oon camp on January 29, 2019, for 188 participants of 139 male and 49 female.

   The training held in Ban Mae Rama Luang camp on January 30, 2019 had 164 refugees of 95 male and 69 female participating.

COERR Mae Sot Organized “Volunteers for Fire Break Making 2019”

   Since Ban Nupo refugee camp in Tak Province’s Umpang District, is located next to the forest and often catches fire during the dry season, COERR in coordination with the Nupo camp committee organized the Volunteering for Fire Break Making on January 30, 2019.

   The fire break activity is to remove grass and weeds and clear the land in order to prevent the forest fire from coming near the houses of refugees.

   The program aims at providing refugees with skills in preparedness and reduce damage and loss; encourage awareness and responsibility of community members and organizations concerned in volunteering to work for the safety of the community they belong to and for environmental protection.

   COERR support their volunteering spirit for fire break making with necessary tools like hoe, rake, baskets, etc. In addition, 30 COERR’s camp based refugee staff also work together with the 320 refugees, making the number of refugee volunteers participating in this activity is as high as 350 persons.