The Director of the Department of Civil Protection in the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation, Dr Jean-Pierre Nana said through market squares, media houses, town hall meetings and other forums, they will teach women on how to handle disaster and emergency situations in the society. According to him, women are linked in one way or the other with civil protection and civil defence through their status as housewives, doctors, nurses, workers or other professionals. Thus, it is time to encourage women in civil protection and civil defence because they play an important role that may not be accomplished by men.
Also, a vast campaign will be carried out on the ICE (In Case of Emergency), numbers. The Minister of State, Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation, Marafa Hamidou Yaya has called on each Cameroonian to have at least three ICE numbers in their mobile telephone repertoire through which family members can be reached when somebody is found in difficulties. The 2010 annual Civil Protection Report on Civil Defence will also be launched in the days ahead with focus on communication during emergency situations. Dr Nana says the report will help the government know what has been done in civil defence, what is still to be done and the challenges for the country.
On the occasion of the World Day of Civil Protection and Civil Defence, the Secretary General of the International Civil Defence Organisation, Nawaf Al Sleibi has used the opportunity to pay tribute to women, whom he calls “important segment of the community” who realised the value and importance of civil protection and civil defence and engaged in their various ranks to work side by side with men. The task was basically limited to men for different reasons.
