First Aid and Safe Behavior Trainings Completed in Armavir

The partnership of the Children of Armenia Fund with the Armenian Red Cross Society Benefits 152 volunteers

Armavir District, Republic of Armenia, November 1, 2007 — Today, the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) in partnership with the Armenian Red Cross Society (ARCS) awarded certificates of completion of the intensive course in Promotion of Safe Behavior and Preparedness to Respond to Emergencies in the communities of the Model Cluster — Argina, Dalarik, Lernagog, Karakert, Myasnikyan and Shenik.

Attending the event on behalf of COAF partners in this activity were Mr. Movses Poghosyan, National Coordinator, ARCS First Aid Training Methodological Center, and Pastor Karl Heinz Scheide of the German Red Cross.  COAF was represented by the Country Director and Dr. Naira Gharakhanyan, Community Development Program Manager.  The event was also attended by members of the local community.  Speaking on behalf of COAF, Dr. Arpie Balian praised the results and positive impact of this unique partnership with ARCS emphasizing the sustainability of the project and the degree to which rural children and communities will benefit from the skills that the participants have acquired.  Similarly, Mr. Poghosyan encouraged the graduates to use their knowledge and skills in training the next generation of volunteers.

Launched in June 2007, the first aid and emergency trainings form an important constituent of COAF’s Participatory Integrated Rural Development Program and its health component in particular, implemented in the cluster of six villages of Armavir. On a larger scale, besides its community health education initiative, COAF’s Health Program also focuses on the modernization of rural primary healthcare units, local capacity building, increasing access to health care and upgrading the quality of services.

The specific objectives of COAF-ARCS project were to a) increase the level of awareness of the ways to respond correctly to emergencies, b) conduct first aid and safe behavior trainings for the staff of rural educational institutions, c) provide the above noted facilities with first aid kits, literature and educational games.  As a result, out of 74 pre-school and school teachers in all six communities, 59 trainees were qualified as emergency respondents and awarded certificates of professional course completion.  

As part of this project, 28 trainees were also certified as trainers and will continue to prepare other community volunteers in first aid and safe behavior.  Parallel to the trainings, ARCS also conducted public seminars throughout the villages of the Model Cluster.  

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Founded in 1920, the Armenian Red Cross Society (ARCS) seeks to reduce vulnerability of the population through mobilization of the power of humanity. It also prepares people to cope with situations, which may cause vulnerability and provide essential support to vulnerable people in harsh socioeconomic conditions. Throughout the country, the organization has 11 regional and 2 territorial branches, 52 community branches, one international rehabilitation center and one first aid training methodological center, which has been COAF’s main counterpart in implementing the Promotion of Safe Behavior and Preparedness to Respond to Emergencies project in six communities of Armavir District of Armenia.

CONTACTS: Sunny Uberoi, (212) 994-8206; or e-mail info@coafkids.org