Aqaba airport staff receiving training on disaster readiness

AMMAN — A joint disaster prevention training conducted by UNDP and Deutsche Post DHL Group concludes on Thursday at the King Hussein International Airport (KHIA) in Aqaba, 330km south of Amman, according to a statement released by the UN agency.

“In the event of a disaster, airports become central logistic hubs for life-saving relief supply... It is therefore crucial that all involved parties be professionally prepared for the worst-case scenario,” the statement said. 

The training, known as Get Airports Ready for Disaster (GARD), started on Tuesday with the aim of supporting local authorities, staff and partners and equipping them to optimally manage relief supply logistics if a disaster — such as an earthquake or a sandstorm — strikes.

“Confusion and disorganised workflows at airports after natural disasters can often lead to drastic delays in relief supply logistics,” the statement quoted Christof Ehrhart, head of corporate communications and responsibility at Deutsche Post DHL Group, as saying. 

Over the course of the workshop, representatives from the airport operating company, aviation safety experts, national and regional disaster management authorities and relief organisations, in addition to military and police personnel, are being trained to manage the higher volumes of cargo and passengers requiring transport after a disaster. 

The training sessions include evaluation of the airport’s capacities for warehousing relief supplies and drafting of location-specific disaster plans, the statement said.

“UNDP’s Global Strategic Plan 2014-2017 places special emphasis on [disaster relief readiness] by supporting countries to reduce the likelihoods of conflict and lower the risk of natural hazards, including from climate change,” the statement quoted Majida Al Assaf, deputy country director and programme manager at UNDP, as saying.

The previous GARD workshop took place in 2014 at the Queen Ali International Airport, the statement added.