Ministry of Health conducts workshop on Disaster Response

Press Release – Belmopan - April 12th, 2011 - The Ministry of Health is currently conducting a three day workshop on Disasters, Incident Command and Crisis Leadership. It started yesterday Monday, April 11 and will run through to Wednesday April 13th, at the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel, Belize City.

The main objectives of the workshop are to evaluate the present multi-sector systems, information and practices in Belize on health-related responses, to become familiar with the U.S. Incident Command Systems and also to gain knowledge and skills in crisis leadership and risk communication.

Topics being discussed include Pandemic Influenza and Disaster Response, Emergency and Disaster Management, Risk Communications and Media Effectiveness and Psychological First Aid for all hazards.

Participants in the workshop include health practitioners from hospitals and clinics, police officers, representatives from the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), the Fire Department and Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA.)

The workshop is being held in collaboration with CDC-CAP Guatemala and the University of South Florida.