The Côte d'Ivoire government has taken steps to bolster its cooperation with the Order of Malta in the area of civil protection. On October 6, the country's Minister of Interior and Security, General Vagondo Diomandé, met with Arnaud de Viviès, the Order of Malta's ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire. The meeting provided an opportunity for de Viviès to discuss recent training exercises conducted for Ivoirian emergency responders.
The training sessions, which took place in September, were organized by the Order of Malta's Corps of Assistance (CISOM) in collaboration with local authorities. From September 8 to 17, Italian trainers worked with participants from the National Office for Civil Protection (ONPC) and the Military Fire Brigade Group (GSPM). The goal was to enhance the participants' skills in alerting, coordination, needs assessment, and resource management during crises.
The training exercises focused on flood risk management, with sessions held in Abidjan and Tiassalé. In Abidjan, 42 participants learned about crisis management, operational doctrine, coordination, and emergency needs assessment. The program included a practical exercise using LEGO kits to apply the concepts learned. Meanwhile, in Tiassalé, 20 firefighters received training in aquatic and vertical rescue techniques.
The cooperation between Côte d'Ivoire and the Order of Malta aims to strengthen the country's disaster response capabilities. The project has the support of the Order of Malta's embassy in Côte d'Ivoire, which has been actively involved in implementing these cooperative efforts. This partnership reflects the ongoing commitment of both parties to enhance emergency management in Côte d'Ivoire.
The recent meeting between Minister Diomandé and Ambassador de Viviès also touched on the upcoming visit of the Grand Commander of the Order of Malta, Fra Emmanuel Rousseau, scheduled for November 5-10. As the second-highest official in the Order, Rousseau will participate in several protocol events and deliver a lecture at the Catholic University of West Africa (UCAO).
During his visit, Rousseau will discuss the history, organization, and global activities of the Order of Malta, as well as its work in Côte d'Ivoire. The Order has been present in the country for 54 years and is committed to continuing its dialogue with Ivoirian stakeholders on areas of cooperation and intervention.
The strengthened cooperation between Côte d'Ivoire and the Order of Malta demonstrates the country's efforts to build its capacity for disaster response and emergency management. With the support of international partners like the Order of Malta, Côte d'Ivoire aims to improve its preparedness and response to natural disasters and other crises.
Key points
- Côte d'Ivoire and Order of Malta enhance cooperation in civil protection, focusing on disaster response and emergency management.
- Recent training exercises conducted for Ivoirian emergency responders aimed to enhance their skills in alerting, coordination, and resource management during crises.
- The Order of Malta's Grand Commander, Fra Emmanuel Rousseau, is set to visit Côte d'Ivoire from November 5-10 to discuss cooperation and deliver a lecture at the Catholic University of West Africa.
