Training

Volunteers of the Bulgarian Red Cross participated in training under the project "European Voluntary Corps for Humanitarian Aid"

Modan, France
January 22 - February 4, 2012

Two BRC volunteers successfully completed the IMPACT training (International mobilization and preparation for action). The project, coordinated by the French Red Cross , involves the national societies of Austria, Bulgaria, Finland and Germany, with the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC / CP) . The aim is to support the building of a European Solidarity Corps mechanism at international level by training young Europeans to take part in international humanitarian missions in order to become professional humanitarian workers. The project is co-financed by the Office of the European Commission for humanitarian aid (ECHO).

During the training, based on the Red Cross course for delegates of national societies, the participating 21 volunteers from different European countries were introduced to the humanitarian principles and values of the Red Cross, learned the basics of international humanitarian law, studied how to maintain relations with other international and local field organizations, disaster risk management actions, tools and techniques. Particular attention was paid to ways to prevent and overcome stress when working in a foreign environment, to telecommunications and media communications, and to health and ethical issues arising during the mission. The training also included a practical exercise during which the volunteers had to cope with a simulated conflict situation.

The participants in the training visited the headquarters of the IFRC / CP, where they had a meeting with the Secretary General and representatives of the Federation. Specialists from the departments of safety, health, volunteering, human resources, etc. acquainted them with the peculiarities of international activities.

In Bulgaria, our two girls continued their training for the missions with the help of the International Cooperation Directorate. Their preparation included a meeting with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krassimir Gigov, Director General of the Bulgarian Red Cross, briefings with Dr. Nadezhda Todorovska, Deputy Director General of the Bulgarian Red Cross and with Yasen Slivenski, Director of the Disaster Management Directorate. The volunteers underwent a course of first aid under the guidance of Dr. Jivka Dimitrova and Dr. Pencho Penchev from the Directorate of Social and Health Policy at the Secretariat of the National Assembly of the Bulgarian Red Cross. Before leaving, they will have a meeting with a BRC psychologist, who will support them during the six-month missions if necessary. The Bulgarian women will be included in the IFCA's regional offices for the Caribbean in Trinidad and Tobago, and for South Africa in Botswana, and will leave in March and April.