Quang Ngai: Training with information gathering tools for persons with disabilities

Participants in the training course on gathering information tools for persons with disabilities 

Currently, Quang Ngai is one of the provinces affected and damaged severely by the prolonged periods of storms and heavy rains, it is also the home of over 59,000 persons with disabilities (accounted for around 4% of the province’s population), including about 68,196 poor households in the province. Therefore, persons with disabilities are more prone to face natural disaster risks, such as lack of access to early warning systems, lack of full evacuation support, and lack of involvement in the development of disaster management plans at their community or activities related to community-based disaster risk management. 

Participants being instructed on how to access applications for information on persons with disabilities on mobile devices 

The goals of the training course were to help participants to have a better understanding of the database system and online information gathering applications of persons with disabilities managed by the Vietnam Disaster Management Authority, and basic assessment tools for social, cultural works that can be used as shelter places during natural disasters. Simultaneously, through the course, participants would also be able to improve their capability and expand their knowledge on basic information technology applications for managing, updating and gathering information on persons with disabilities in areas at risk of natural disasters. 

Participants joining in to gather information on persons with disabilities at Nghia Hanh district’s medical center 

15 participants from Quang Ngai's Association of Persons with Disabilities attended the training course. Under the guidance of trainer Bui Quang Huy, Vice Director of the Disaster Management Policy and Technology Center, participants have gained a clearer understanding of information gathering tools and basic assessment tools. From there, they engaged freely and enthusiastically in group discussions. Additionally, participants had the opportunity to access smartphone applications whose software included many superb features on Android to serve the purpose of gathering information on persons with disabilities. This not only was convenient to help participants work quickly and save more time, but also had practical purposes and high efficiency in the implementation of disaster risk prevention in each province.

Participants carrying out field activities at the shelter house 

Upon the completion of the training course, in the upcoming time, participants divided into technical support groups will continue to conduct field research in 20 communes in Quang Ngai. The purpose of the activity is to gather information on persons with disabilities and ensure sufficient information is provided to the database system for finding appropriate solutions and assessing the level of disaster risk. 

Translator: Anh Nguyen