South Africa: Cape Town to train 30 community members as trauma support officers to celebrate the International Day for Disaster Reduction

The City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman J.P. Smith, will officiate at the launch of the ‘Women and Girls: The (in)Visible Force of Resilience’ project, in celebration of the United Nations International Day for Disaster Reduction, tomorrow.

This event will highlight the successes and the continued efforts of women and girls in achieving a safer and more resilient community.

“The City, as part of its commitment to building a Safe and Caring City, will train 30 Disaster Risk Management volunteers and community members as trauma resource officers. These officers will be trained to deal with trauma resulting from disastrous situations, domestic violence, and loss of life, amongst others,” said Alderman Smith.

The campaign, as outlined by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, focuses on the following:

• Empowering women and girls for a safer tomorrow
• Women and girls as powerful agents of change
• A resilient and gender-sensitive community

In order to be a sustainable society and a resilient city, steps need be taken to ensure that the City has the ability to prepare for, cope with, and recover from disaster events – which can come in many shapes and forms.

The City recognises that civil society volunteer their services gratis to assist the community in times of need, and will and therefore capacitate them as frontline workers to deal with secondary traumatic stress disorder, compassion fatigue and burn-out; and to help them cope with the consequences of helping others,” said Alderman Smith.