The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has successfully conducted a five-day workshop in Kelaa, Haa Alifu Atoll, aimed at formulating the island’s Disaster Management Plan and training local emergency responders.
Held from 16 to 20 August, the initiative engaged over 30 participants, including Kelaa Council members, representatives from all local institutions, and members of the general public.
According to the NDMA, the first three days of the workshop focused on draft planning. Participants analysed the specific environmental and geographical hazards currently facing the island, discussed effective mitigation strategies, and explored practical steps to reduce future disaster risks.
The final two days were dedicated to intensive capacity building for Kelaa’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), which comprises local volunteers and institutional staff. The training culminated in a live, practical simulation exercise on the final day, designed to test the community's coordination and readiness during an emergency.
Speaking at the conclusion of the event, Minister of State for Defence and National Service Aishath Safoora highlighted the significance of the training, noting that it aligns with national efforts to bolster local self-reliance.
"This is an additional investment link toward realising the President's vision to build a resilient community. The hope is to carry out this work across islands in collaboration with institutions in every island,” she said.
The workshop was facilitated with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UNICEF.
The NDMA said that the formulation of island-level disaster plans and the training of emergency responders are core pillars of its Community-Based Resilience Building (CBRB) programme. NDMA has announced that efforts are already underway to roll out similar training programmes on other islands across the Maldives.