30 January 2017 — Members of the Filipino community in Qatar, together with other Qatari and local volunteers, completed a five-day Basic Disaster Management Training Course conducted by the Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) at the QRC headquarters in Al Hitmi Area, Doha from January 22 to 26. The comprehensive training course is the initial phase of a series of capacity building activities under a broader program planned and organized by the Philippine Embassy, Filipino community groups and organizations, led by the United Filipino Organizations in Qatar (UFOQ), the QRC, and other local public and private entities. “The Embassy continues to collaborate and work closely with our community and various local government agencies and private institutions to help train and prepare all Filipinos in Qatar in the event of any unforeseen emergencies. Protecting and promoting the welfare of our nationals remains a top priority of the Philippine Government,” said Philippine Embassy Charge d’Affaires a.i., Consul General Roussel R. Reyes. As part of the Philippine Embassy’s mandate to ensure the interest and well-being of all Filipinos in Qatar, trainings, seminars and other initiatives are being planned throughout the year to increase awareness and develop the necessary skills and capabilities in the area of emergency preparedness and disaster management. The basic level course - Arabic module was attended by the Arabic speaking members of the Filipino community, including an Embassy representative. Ustadz Jafar Adbulhamed, Sheikh Homer Suratan Parayawan, Ustadz Benhar Sale Yusop, Mujahid Adbulhamid Ambag and Faisal Mohamed Musa are among those who attended the basic level course-Arabic module. They are volunteers who will be part of the group slated to attend succeeding advance level courses scheduled in the coming months. They will also be tasked to echo the training to other members of the community and spearhead other similar activities in the future. Upcoming training courses and activities are currently being planned to increase participation and cover a greater number of Filipinos in Doha and other surrounding areas.