Guyana Red Cross Society piloted its first National Intervention Team (NITs) Training from 25-29 June.

With support from the French Red Cross and the INTEREGG programme, 18 volunteers from different programmes in the GRCS, hailing from four branches - Georgetown, Lethem, Mabaruma and Moruca - participated in this training. Volunteers represented a mix of old (experienced) and new, with a variety of age groups and backgrounds.

All participants took part in a First Aid refresher course the previous weekend to brush up on their skills before being trained as a NIT. While the training was long and intensive, volunteers appreciated the opportunity to be a part of it.

Keion Matheson, a volunteer who was actively involved in the 2005 Flood Relief operation, said the training gave him the chance to understand the theoretical aspects of his experiences in 2005. 

The course curriculum provided volunteers with knowledge on many aspects of disaster response and preparedness, and for some, a keen interest in specific areas.

GRCS hopes to build on this in future trainings. Evaluations proved that the training achieved its objective: to build a team with the knowledge and skill to support the NS in its disaster management activities.