Hyderabad, Mar 10 (UNI) More than 30 participants from various countries and international organisations have attended a refresher course organised by United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) here and discussed various aspects of disaster response.

Participants from China, Australia, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Norway, Phillipines, the US and India attended UNDAC Asia-Pacific refresher course at National Industrial Security Academy (NISA) located at Hakimpet here from March 8 to 10.

The main objectives of the course are sharing of lessons learnt from UNDAC missions over the past year, briefing on developments in UNDAC methodology, skills training, developments within the humanitarian system and team building.

Speaking at the valedictory session today, Head, Field Coordination Support Section, OCHA and UNDAC Arjun Katoch, said the UNDAC system has been designed to assist United Nations in meeting international needs for early and qualified information during the first phase of a sudden-onset emergency and in the coordination of incoming international relief at national level and or at the site of the emergency.

NISA Director PVK Reddy said refresher courses have a special relevance in the overall scheme of training.

UNI ASJ PA HT2235