The first ever Get-Airports Ready for Disaster (GARD) Workshop has concluded.
Led by specialists from Deutsche Post DHL Group and UNDP, the five-day workshop was attended by over 35 officials and experts from the Maldivian airport authorities, government ministries and armed forces in addition to humanitarian responders.
During the workshop, participants and trainers assessed and evaluated the current level of preparedness at airports, conducted training exercises and developed specific recommendations and an action plan to ensure that airports in the Maldives are prepared for potential disasters. Deutsche Post DHL Group and UNDP will support Maldivian authorities to build resilience against future natural disasters.
Adil Moosa, Managing Director of Maldives Airports Company highlighted the importance of the GARD workshop and thanked all authorities who participated in the workshop. He said that participants have learnt better actions to take at a time of crisis or disaster.
Speaking at the ceremony, the lead trainer of GARD, Chris Weeks emphasized on the importance of expanding the programme to other domestic airports. Hisaan Hussain of Disaster Management Centre and Ibrahim Kaashif Naseer from Airports Fire and Rescue Service were selected as GARD focal points from Maldives.