Training to Upskill TM Volunteers and GDRN Members Towards Disaster Preparedness
Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) under its Corporate Responsibility (CR) initiatives once again provides a humanitarian response training for the Company’s volunteers as well as to members of the GLC Disaster Response Network (GDRN) ahead of the upcoming monsoon season. The Company recently organised the training session, titled “GDRN Swift Water Safety and Humanitarian Response” as part of its initiatives for disaster preparedness in Malaysia.
The four-day training – which featured certified trainers and speakers from the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), Ministry of Defense and United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD) – was aimed at strengthening the participants’ humanitarian capabilities and minimising the loss of life and damage to properties and the environment during a disaster. The session saw participation of over 30 participants from TM, GDRN members from Axiata Berhad, Pharmaniaga, Malaysia Airport Holding Berhad (MAHB), Yayasan Hasanah and Yayasan Sime Darby. In addition, more than 30 volunteers from Volunteer Malaysia (VM) - formerly known as iM4U - also took part in the simulation exercise, under the coordination of Azura Ibrahim, a trainer from World Food Programme – UNHRD.
Izad Ismail, Head of Corporate Responsibility & External Stakeholder Management, Group Brand and Communication, TM who attended the programme commented: “This training follows a series of previous successful training, from the Disaster Preparedness Training in 2015 and Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management Training in 2016. This year, we aim to continue providing the knowledge and skills essential for disaster preparedness and humanitarian response. This time around, the focus was on swift water safety. As we cannot predict where or when the next disaster will strike, we need to always be ready. Past experiences have taught us on the importance of working together in emergency response efforts in order to reduce and mitigate disaster risks and wastages. So the disaster scenario simulation exercise conducted during the training allows for a realistic response to potentially real disasters.”
“This training also serves as a platform to integrate the functions and responsibilities within TM itself, GDRN members and relevant Government Agencies in leveraging resources effectively during disaster situations. We hope that this pro-active approach focusing on preparedness will help to improve the emergency response efforts if the actual situation occurs,” he added.
The training provided the participants with an in-depth understanding of emergency relief works which include the standard operating procedures, logistics, fleet, supply chain and warehouse management as well as personal health, safety and security risks during disasters. Besides that, the participants were also exposed to Swift Water Swimming, Basic Swift Water Safety and Rescue and Basic Boat Paddling.