Karachi (Cliff News)More than 250 students from 30 schools of Karachi and 150 Red Crescent volunteers and staff were trained to deal with any emergency like situation during a three days annual field training camp organized by the Sindh chapter of Pakistan Red Crescent (PRC) for Urban Disaster Response Team (UDRT) and School Safety Program (SSP) Volunteers.During the camp, participants were trained by experts to prepare themselves for effective response in case of any emergency. They received training about First Aid, Emergency Response, fire fighting, camp management, youth awareness and information about Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, its fundamental principles.Closing ceremony of this camp was held here on Sunday. Camp objective was to boost community volunteerism on successful infusion of spirit of selfless service to needy people without discrimination of class, colour or creed through trained youth and volunteers affiliated to PRC programs.Vice President Pakistan Red Crescent Sindh Dr. Sardar Yaseen Malik and Director General, Provincial Disaster Management Authority Sindh Commander Retd. Syed Salman Shah were guests on this occasion. Member Managing Committee Tariq Moeen was also present.Speaking at closing ceremony PRC Sindh Vice President Dr. Sardar Yaseen Malik said that youth are doing commendably well in every segment of life in Pakistan. Despite of different issues, Pakistani youth are considered to be most resourceful in facing challenges with courage and dignity. Red Crescent being the leading humanitarian organization of the country is committed to serve the humanity and our staff, and volunteers are always in the forefront to help the natural or man- made disasters victims, added Dr. Malik.He further said that PRC has provided relief of billions of rupees to more than 1.5 billion affected people in Pakistan since its inception 68 years ago. Communities should be strengthened through recruitment of volunteers, providing training and retaining them. Presently, the PRC has a volunteer registration of 1.7 million and aims to increase this number to 500,000, he told.Dr. Sardar Yaseen Malik observed that young people can contribute to the betterment of society and the camp aimed at mobilising them. The society encourages individuals to become better citizens by their participation in volunteer work and developing their skills. School Safety Program is one of the exemplary initiatives taken by the Red Crescent in Sindh. The Red Cross / Red Crescent have enormous experience in the field of emergency response and disaster management all over the world, he said.He informed that School Safety Program is providing students and teachers the requisite skills to respond effectively and appropriately when a crisis does occur. Our aim is to create a culture of safety in the educational community, he added.“More than 80 schools in Karachi are benefitted from School Safety Program”, concluded Dr. Malik.DG PDMA Sindh Commander (R) Syed Salman Shah said that PRC-Sindh is organizing various trainings especially for youth and creating awareness to deal with any emergency like floods, earthquake, fire or terrorist attacks. Through these training our youth are not only saving their lives but also others. I appreciate the efforts of Pakistan Red Crescent and its volunteers who are always ready to serve the needy people, he applauded.PRC Sindh branch Secretary Kanwar Waseem said youth camp aims at mobilizing a large number of youth volunteers to promote good volunteer management practices and advocate the value of volunteerism in Pakistan.He said that volunteerism is a backbone for various activities in the society and is a core value of good citizenship. “To deal with Urban Disasters, PRC-Sindh is establishing an Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) at its Karachi Headquarters, to provide information, preparedness and response in emergency situations”, he announced.Karachi is an important city in context of Disaster Management and Red Crescent is providing training to have at least a First Aider in every Home. PRC is strengthening the community resilience through enhancing Urban Disaster Response Teams (UDRT) and Districts Disaster Response Teams (DDRT) in Sindh, Kanwar Waseem underlined.He also recognized the support of Norwegian Red Cross and German Red Cross for organizing three days camp.David Kenealy, Program Coordinator, German Red Cross in Pakistan lauded the efforts of both GRC and PRC teams in mitigating the sufferings of vulnerable segment of society.He said that GRC has been working in Pakistan with PRC for a long time to strengthen communities and local authorities on disaster response and recovery, disaster risk reduction, and livelihood etc. “We will continue our support to PRC and will leave no stone unturned in expanding our humanitarian services to the vulnerable population living in far flung areas of Sindh province,” he added.One of the school student as participant said that attending Red Crescent Field Training Camp was the most valuable and life-changing experience for him.Later, volunteers, company commanders and camp management officers were awarded certificates and medals for rendering commendable services in camp. The closing ceremony was attended by PRC Sindh branch managing Committee members, staff and a large number of people from all walks of life.