To enhance professionalism in providing assistance and relief during natural disasters and armed conflicts, the Bahraini Ministry of Interior hosted a two-day Humanitarian Operations Workshop in May 2021.
Drawing more than 40 military and civilian leaders from Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and the United States, the workshop was facilitated by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) and the U.S. Agency for International Development and patronized by Bahraini Maj. Gen. Abdullah Muhammad Al Zayed, deputy chief of public security in the Interior Ministry.
The agenda included topics aimed at honing participants’ skills and knowledge for responding to humanitarian disasters: emergency management, disaster response improvement, infectious disease survival strategies, general surgical emergencies and emergency resuscitation.
“Humanitarian disasters don’t happen on a schedule. They don’t offer fair warning, and they strike the vulnerable with particular cruelty,” said NAVCENT Commander Vice Adm. Brad Cooper in his opening remarks.
“Yet we also know that the response to disasters brings out the best in humanity. It unites an array of people, international organizations, governments and militaries from around the world to support a common goal — to provide aid for those desperately in need.”
In responding to humanitarian disasters and armed conflicts, Bahrain plays a key role. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), the kingdom contributes through zakat and sadaqa to humanitarian operations worldwide. These contributions have benefited more than 33 countries affected by armed conflict and natural disasters, among which were Lebanon, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Bahraini relief and assistance to affected countries is mainly delivered through Bahrain’s Red Crescent Society and the Royal Charitable Organization. Sources: Bahrain News Agency, NAVCENT, UNOCHA