SINGAPORE: The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SDCF)
and Mercy Relief signed a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) on Thursday to
synergise their resources and networks for humanitarian cooperation
to provide a quicker and more unified response during future
regional disasters.
The scope of cooperation includes enlarging and
nurturing the pool of future humanitarians to address the longer
term needs of the humanitarian sector.
The partnership includes a framework to facilitate
the participation of SCDF officers to Mercy Relief's Overseas
Volunteer Expedition, sustainable development and rebuilding
programmes.
Mercy Relief and SCDF had collaborated in previous disaster relief
efforts, in countries like Aceh, Indonesia during the Asian Tsunami
in 2004.
It was through these collaborations that the two parties found they
complement each other.
For example, SCDF can focus on search and rescue of trapped victims
while Mercy Relief focuses on medical relief and providing basic
survival needs to victims during joint disaster relief
efforts.
Mercy Relief's chief executive, Hassan Ahmad, said the scope of
cooperation with SCDF will include enlarging and nurturing the pool
of future humanitarians.
He said: "In a region where 70 per cent of catastrophes occur, at
an increased frequency, it is crucial that constant dialogues and
engagements start before disasters strike.
"It is important that we not only address the current humanitarian
requirements, but we must also invest in the longer-term needs of
the humanitarian sector, which include the grooming future
humanitarians in terms of knowledge, skills and exposure."
- CNA/wm