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MIRPUR (AJK), Oct 30 (APP):The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) AJK branch, in collaboration with the PRCS Central office and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has successfully concluded three-day workshop focused on epidemic awareness, preventive measures, and community protection strategies in Neelum District.
The workshop aimed to enhance the capacity of local volunteers and mobile health unit staff to raise public awareness about epidemic diseases, promote safe behaviors, and implement preventive actions at the grassroots level.
The participants included volunteers from Neelum district and staff from mobile health units.
The closing ceremony was attended by Chairman PRCS AJK Branch, Sardar Shafiq Ahmed Khan as the chief guest. Other distinguished attendees included Secretary PRCS AJK ,Gulzar Fatima, Deputy Commissioner, Neelum Nadeem Janjua, Superintendent of Police Neelum Khawaja Siddique, Pakistan Army Major Asad Naqvi, District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Akhtar Ayub, IFRC Senior Program Manager Health, Dr. Salma Bibi, and IFRC Program Manager Community Engagement Arosa Kathi, who provided technical support throughout the training.
Addressing the ceremony, Chairman Sardar Shafiq Ahmed Khan said “Epidemic diseases remain a critical challenge globally, including in Pakistan. This workshop was designed to equip volunteers with knowledge and skills to create awareness and promote protective behaviors in their communities, ultimately saving precious lives.”
Highlighting dengue outbreaks, he noted that PRCS AJK played a pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic, facilitating vaccination of over 25,000 people in coordination with the health department and conducting extensive awareness campaigns.
He emphasized PRCS’s commitment to impartial, non-political humanitarian service and expressed regret over the lack of government financial support.
Praising the V2R (Vulnerability to Resilience) Project, he said: “Thanks to the V2R initiative, many areas in Neelum were protected from devastating floods. Protective walls constructed by PRCS safeguarded lives, property, and agricultural land.”
The chairman extended gratitude to the IFRC and PRCS National Headquarters and congratulated all trainees on the successful completion of the program.
Deputy Commissioner Neelum Nadeem Janjua lauded PRCS’s invaluable contributions during natural disasters, earthquakes, floods, and epidemic prevention not just in Pakistan but also in AJK.
He stressed the importance of psychological first aid for disaster-affected communities and appreciated the deployment of mobile health units in flood-hit areas.
He assured full administrative support and urged volunteers to launch awareness campaigns in their localities.
Superintendent Police (SP) Khawaja Siddique also commended PRCS’s efforts and congratulated the organizers.
Secretary PRCS AJK Gulzar Fatima highlighted the global reach of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement:
“Operating in 191 countries, the Movement delivers humanitarian aid based on compassion and solidarity.”
She announced that cash assistance would soon be distributed to flood-affected people in Neelum and Muzaffarabad with IFRC support. She further revealed plans for upcoming Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) trainings in the valley.
The speeches were also delivered by Program & Disaster Management Manager Naveed Awan, Health & First Aid Coordinator Yasir Josh, and others.
The workshop concluded with the distribution of certificates to all participants.