The participants with officials on day-two of the Community First Responder Youth Training Programme at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference hall, Zunheboto on June 3 . (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Zunheboto | June 3
The Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Nagaland, in collaboration with the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) concluded its two-day Community First Responder (CFR) Youth Training Programme at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference hall, Zunheboto on June 3.
The training programme aimed at equipping young people with essential first-aid skills, emergency response techniques, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), casualty handling and disaster preparedness to enable them to respond effectively during emergencies and disasters within their communities.
Speaking to the media at the culmination programme, Akhale V Khamo, General Secretary IRCS Nagaland, said the training was organised in response to the growing number of conflicts, disasters and crises being witnessed globally and locally.
“Whenever emergencies occur in our communities, it is often the local people and youth who reach the scene first. Therefore, it is important to equip them with the necessary skills to assist, protect, and save lives,” she stated.
Khamo informed that the programme was jointly organized by IRCS Nagaland and NSDMA and witnessed enthusiastic participation from youth representatives of various churches and organizations in Zunheboto district.
Highlighting the significance of the training, she said participants received certified instruction in first aid, CPR, emergency response procedures, and safe transportation of injured persons. The sessions were conducted by Kholie Dolf, a certified Master Trainer and Managing Committee Member of IRCS Nagaland, who is trained under St John Ambulance and the Red Cross and is authorized to issue certificates to participants.
She expressed confidence that the knowledge gained through the programme would enable participants to become effective first responders during emergencies and disasters.
Khamo further revealed that similar training programmes have already been conducted in several districts, including Kiphire, Peren, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, Tuensang, Longleng, Mokokchung, and Wokha. She added that the initiative would continue in the remaining districts as part of the society's efforts to strengthen community resilience across Nagaland.
Speaking about the broader role of the Red Cross, Khamo emphasized that the organization functions based on its seven fundamental principles Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality.
“The Red Cross is a global humanitarian movement present in nearly every country of the world. In Nagaland, we continue to work with communities by providing relief assistance, conducting training, and helping people affected by disasters such as landslides, floods, and other emergencies,” she said.
She also acknowledged the support of district administrations across Nagaland, noting that Deputy Commissioners, who serve as presidents of district Red Cross branches, have been actively supporting and strengthening Red Cross activities at the grassroots level.
Akükau Kashito Yeptho, Chairman IRCS Zunheboto District Branch informed that the two-day training was conducted with the participation of 25 youths drawn from different churches and organizations in the district. He stated that 10 participants each were nominated by Sümi Baptist Church Zunheboto (SBCZ) and Zunheboto Town Sümi Baptist Church (ZTSBC), while five participants were from the NCRC Church.
