Disaster does not recognize a gender inequality

Ani Babayan, Getap CEG coordinator, 25 years old

I am a coordinator of our community voluntary emergency group (CEG) since last year and as an active young woman I consider my engagement essential. Throughout the DRR project implemented in Vayots Dzor region as a CEG member I participated in first aid training and in simulations. I believe that the knowledge and skills gained through education and simulations will be crucial not only for me and other volunteers but also for community members before, during and after disasters.

In the past, at a time of disaster I would collapse in panic and vulnerability waiting for any person to lend me a hand. Now I am the one who had an opportunity to be equipped with valuable knowledge and skills vital not only for my survival but also for other members of my community.

As a CEG coordinator I organized and controlled our volunteer group member's activities throughout school evacuation drill jointly organized by community authorities and Regional Rescue Department in the frame of DRR project in our community. This experience was an excellent opportunity for me to practice my leadership skills. I estimate it successful and of great value for me. I am proud to have contributed as part to the project and being involved in decision making processes as well.

As a volunteer group member I believe that women and girls together with men and boys should work on building the resilience of their families, their community and their country as well.

I consider the women's participation in DRR activities is priceless and I am sure that from now on we can continue supporting them to be more active and to take the safety of their lives into their own hands by gaining necessary knowledge and skills. There is no doubt that the input of each community member despite of the gender in building community's resilience is vital.

No one will argue that it is much better be prepared than be sorry

Esayi Karamyan, Artabuynq CEG rescuer, 45 years old

I am a voluntary rescuer of our Community Emergency Group (CEG).

After my participation in simulations and trainings I realized that before my assistance was not efficient because I did not have necessary knowledge and skills. Fortunately,thanks to the DRR project, now I have required knowledge and skills so important and vital for our survival.

This proves the recent accident that tested out our readiness to respond to disaster. Our community's pastures in the nearby mountain burned and our volunteer group was the first to be there taking the equipment such us axe, shovels available in Resource center.  Luckily, we managed to extinguish the fire. If we were late for almost 3 minutes, fire would badly damage our assets.

This accident demonstrates that community based volunteer groups are essential and more people should be involved in volunteer groups, only then we can insure resilience and preparedness of the community.

Communities should own the process of achieving resiliency through preparedness capacity building and by utilizing their own skills, knowledge and by developing community voluntary rescue groups.

When disaster hits, a volunteer should be there, once your community strives, skilled and ready, you should be there.

Vahan Sargsyan, Khachik CEG coordinator, 56 years old

Our Community's Emergency Group was established in 2010 in the frame of Disaster Risk Reduction project. Since then CEG members were educated about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact our community. We also were trained necessary disaster response skills, such as fire fighting, and first aid provision.

It is clear to me that people who live in communities away from regional centers or capital cities should be able to assess their own communities' vulnerability. For the reason that during major disaster, first responders who provide rescue and first aid probably will not be able to provide necessary assistance because of road blockages or communication failures. Consequently, people in emergency situations very often have to rely on each other for help. At this point help of trained volunteers is priceless.

Last autumn there was a fire threatening our community. As soon as it was discovered our CEG rescuers moved toward the fire from two opposite ages and handled it using skills learned during trainings and appropriate equipment. We are proud that because of our timely respond there was no need to call for a fire brigade and our group was able to insure our community's safety. This accident proves that CEG can assist their community members following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help and is the most outstanding verification for the helpfulness of our group.