Belarus interested in international experience in disaster prevention

MINSK, 20 November (BelTA) - Belarusian Emergencies Minister Vladimir Vashchenko and Paola Albrito, Head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) Regional Office for Europe, met in Minsk and discussed the introduction of the best international practices of disaster prevention and management into the Belarusian national system, BelTA has learnt from the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry.

The sides discussed the best international practices of disaster prevention and the results of accreditation of the Belarusian search and rescue team in compliance with the requirements of the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG). Vladimir Vashchenko and Paola Albrito expressed eagerness to continue cooperation, in particular, in the organization of joint events, experience exchange, and implementation of joint projects and initiatives.

During the official visit to Belarus, Paola Alberto held a number of working meetings with representatives of the Belarusian Emergency Ministry and got familiar with the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction of the Republic of Belarus, the activities of the Scientific Research Institute of Fire Safety and Emergencies, the Institute for Professional Skills Upgrading and Retraining, and the Belarusian Youth Public Organization for Rescuers-Firemen. The Head of the UNISDR also visited the Command Engineers Institute of the Emergencies Ministry of the Republic of Belarus and the Minsk City Administration of the Emergencies Ministry.

The Belarusian ministry said that today the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction is the largest and the most influential organization in the field of disaster prevention and response. The main areas of its activities include promotion of international cooperation between countries, organizations, and cities of the world, development of the main principles, methods, and approaches to disaster risk reduction, and adaptation to climate change. The organization has a scientific research council that analyzes researches and scientific achievements in the field of disaster risk reduction and disseminates them through different international magazines and newspapers and expos. Special groups have been created to formulate the international policy of disaster prevention.

“The visit of the Head of the UNISDR to Belarus will facilitate the promotion of Belarus’ interests in the field of disaster risk reduction and will foster international experience exchange and cooperation in personnel training, scientific research, and public relations within the framework of the United Nations Organization,” the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry noted.