Accra, March 20, GNA - The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has embarked on capacity building exercise for the youth under which 1,200 Disaster Volunteer Group (DVG) would be trained in all the 11 sub-metros to help combat disasters in the Accra Metropolis.

The programme is aimed at preparing the DVGs to enable them to train the local people in the communities in disaster management, disaster risk reduction, identification of victims, fire prevention and safety.

Mr Isaac Mensah, NADMO Metropolitan Co-ordinator, who made this known in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on Friday, explained that NADMO would ensure that the local people are adequately trained to forestall the occurrences of disasters and also cope with environmental changes and emergencies.

He stressed that disaster management was a collaborative responsibility of all because women and children, especially the aged who formed the vulnerable groups, suffered most when disaster struck, hence the need for NADMO to promote volunteerism.

The NADMO Co-ordinator said the training programme would continue to assist communities to contribute effectively to climate change, risk management and disaster risk reduction in the country as whole. Mr Mensah said NADMO believed that prevention pays, adding: "how many times can we go round to distribute relief items to disaster victims when the problem still exists in the communities?".

He said it was important to educate the people on effective and efficient disaster risk management mechanisms to enable them to help themselves whenever disasters occur instead of relying on relief items all the time." Mr Mensah advised the youth to take the training programme seriously, adding that "in course of rendering service to your community you should not only think of what you will gain but of what you can do in your own capacities to improve your community's lot." 20 March 10