Mandela University Lecturers Engage in Vital Flood Response Training in Malawi

Mandela University lecturers participated in flood response training in Malawi, organized by Rescue-SA and UK-ISAR. The “Train-the-Trainer” program focused on strategies for flood rescue, addressing high drowning rates in Africa. With Africa’s highest global drowning statistics, this training aims to enhance aquatic rescue capabilities and integrates new techniques into the curriculum, strengthening disaster response education.

Mandela University lecturers recently engaged in critical flood response training in Malawi, facilitated through the established partnerships of Rescue-SA. This esteemed disaster response and training organization collaborated with UK-ISAR in providing specialized training to enhance rescue capabilities across Africa, particularly highlighted during the Cyclone Freddy disaster response in 2023.

The “Train-the-Trainer” program prioritized strategic and tactical flood response skills, including powerboat rescue techniques. Participants were empowered to disseminate their newly acquired knowledge within their institutions and communities, a crucial initiative given the alarming drowning rates in Africa, exacerbated by flooding and inadequate rescue service access.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that Africa faces the highest global drowning rates, with approximately 66,000 fatalities each year. Many of these incidents occur in rural, flood-prone areas where emergency response services are scant. Notably, children under five represent the demographic at greatest risk, frequently drowning in bodies of water, including rivers and pools.

Increasingly severe floods, driven by climate change, further elevate the risk, particularly in low-lying settlements. Disasters like Cyclone Freddy, which profoundly impacted Malawi, Mozambique, and South Africa in 2023, underscore the necessity for well-trained aquatic rescue teams capable of efficient operation in such challenging environments.

This training initiative marks a significant advancement for Mandela University and its Department of Emergency Medical Care (EMC). The acquired skills and knowledge will inform the EMC curriculum, incorporating contemporary aquatic and flood rescue methods, thereby enhancing the education of students. Additionally, the training experience will aid in creating new simulation-based learning modules, equipping students to tackle real-world rescue challenges prior to graduation.

Overall, this program not only reinforces Mandela University’s commitment to disaster response education, but also cultivates valuable partnerships with global organizations like UK-ISAR and Rescue-SA. Such collaborations are likely to yield further opportunities for training, exchanges, and joint projects within the region.

In conclusion, Mandela University’s participation in the flood response training in Malawi significantly advances the capabilities of its faculty and the wider emergency response community. The training equips educators with vital skills to combat the high drowning rates across Africa, particularly among vulnerable populations. By integrating advanced rescue techniques into their curriculum and fostering international partnerships, the University is poised to impact future emergency response strategies positively.

Original Source: news.mandela.ac.za