The disaster plans of the districts no longer reflect the current situation and must be renewed. The Nationaal Coördinatiecentrum voor Rampenbeheersing (NCCR, National Coordination Centre for Disaster Management) therefore started a three-day training course for district commissioners on Tuesday, October 13. Their experiences and insights are expected to contribute to the drafting of new plans.
The training focuses on disaster preparedness and crisis management. In addition to strengthening the knowledge of district commissioners, the NCCR is gathering information on the situation in the districts so that the new disaster plans better reflect local conditions.
Jennifer Jozefzoon-Wachter, deputy director of the Onderdirectoraat Districtsbestuur en Decentralisatie (ODDD, Subdirectorate for District Administration and Decentralisation), emphasised the central role of district commissioners in preparing for and dealing with disasters. They form the link between national policy and the communities and must ensure that their districts can respond adequately to emergencies.
Jozefzoon-Wachter called on participants to share their experiences and insights with the NCCR. That exchange of knowledge is intended to help improve preparedness for possible disasters.
During the first training day, NCCR coordinator Colonel Jerry Slijngaard explained the centre’s working methods. He also discussed the organisation of disaster management in Suriname and the role of the districts within the national system.
As the coordinating body, the NCCR is responsible, among other things, for training courses and exercises that prepare relevant services and officials for their duties during disasters.
The meetings on October 13, 14 and 15 form the first phase of the programme Training on Disaster Risk Management. The second phase is scheduled for November. The date for the third and final phase has yet to be determined. The NCCR is carrying out the project in cooperation with UNICEF.
Between 2017 and 2023, with the exception of 2020, the centre provided training in all districts. In 2024, these were held only in Saramacca, Coronie and Nickerie.
