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They won't leave you helpless if Haiti happens here

Updated on: 22 February,2010 09:13 AM IST  | 
Madhuri Balodi |

Disaster management in India spurts on impulse and dies due to ignorance. Here's a lady who's kept her fight going, and trained thousands of enthusiasts in the art and science

They won't leave you helpless if Haiti happens here

Disaster management in India spurts on impulse and dies due to ignorance. Here's a lady who's kept her fight going, and trained thousands of enthusiasts in the art and science

Destruction's a devil that can strike just about anywhere and anytime, without warning or clue. Haiti, for instance, once again shows how natural calamities and manmade disasters know no end and no notices.



Terrorist attacks, earthquakes, floods and medical emergenciesu00a0 caused due to drowning and choking, road accidents, sudden heart strokes, asthma attacksu00a0-- there's no dearth to disaster. But of course, there are always the guardian angels. The difference, this time over, is that you can choose to be one, too. A few enthusiastic children have set the example. It's upto you to follow.

Philanthrope, a non governmental organisation founded by health and social Dr Anjali Qwatra, has been working for public safety since the last three years, with the aim to reduce suffering by equipping masses with emergency preparedness, training in risk reduction and rescue management. The group has been actively conducting workshops, seminars, conferences, training programmes, awareness campaigns and consultations in various schools, colleges and offices, which help people deal with urgent medical emergencies, that crop up as a result of the capital's chaotic living.

"These easy to learn lessons made us familiar with life-saving techniques including artificial respiration (AR) and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which can be used very easily at the time of medical emergency," says Rajesh, a student from Central School.

Taking care
A team of 20 doctors and 10 permanent members are working with this organisation. They are collaborating with community-based bodies to provide educational and resilience-building services to communities, preparing for recovering from disasters and consequent trauma. They are also working with governmental agencies like homeland security, civil defence, emergency managers and relief agencies to effectively integrate and utilise spontaneous unaffiliated community volunteer (SUCVs) into their disaster response plans.

Philanthrope is currently operating only in Delhi, and many private donors are lending financial support, but a tie-up with the Japanese government is in the offing.u00a0 This will help the NGO spread its wings to other states as well. "We are getting a positive response for our work, and planning to expand our training session. Right now, we are training more than 1,500 individuals from various schools, major corporate houses and volunteers for the upcoming Common Wealth Games in Delhi later this year," informs Dr. Angeli Qwatra, the founder and the chairperson of Philanthrope.
u00a0
Dr Qwatra, who is also a member of the medical and health service committee for the Games, and an active member of UNESCO projects. If you're wary about her credentials, she has an M Phil and PhD from Delhi University and has conducted a doctoral research in 'health and caring of aged women'. She has trained in this field both in India, from Red Cross Society, and abroad, from the safety first institute, UK. She has also worked with the Royal British Army field hospital to get practical experience in rescue management. It was here that she found the need to bring the trend to India. And bring peace to the world.


To be a part of this organisation, shoot a mail at info@philanthrope.in



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