The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Tuesday began a two-day training for 20 persons in Kano on how to handle corpses during disasters.
Among those who attended the training programme which held at ICRC Kano Office are Hisbah officials, Ulama and security agents.
The Head of ICRC in the state, Mr Zeljko Lezaja said the training was aimed at providing participants adequate information on how to protect dignity of the dead, as first respondents at scenes of disaster.
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“We want to also train them how to show respect and feelings for the family of the deceased, also to ensure easy identification of victims’ bodies.
“This training will enable the first respondents to be able to act responsibly when dealing with mortal remains during disaster, explosion, violence and any other conflict.
“The first training was conducted in 2018 for members of the Hisbah corps and this is the second training with 20 participating officers to ensure good quality of education,’’ he said.
He explained that at the end of the training, ICRC was hoping that the participants should pass what they had learnt to other members of their groups.
Lezaja added that ICRC also wanted participants to know how to treat victims of situation like that of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also, Mr Aliyu Dawobe , the ICRC Public Relations Officer (PRO) said , “ICRC Nigeria is the fourth largest operation in the world and has been assisting the affected people in the north east of Nigeria where the needs are high due to the conflict’’.
He said that the ICRC had been supporting people with Physical Rehabilitation Programmes, assisting people who lost parts of their bodies with artificial limbs to regain their dignity and hope.
He said that the ICRC works closely with the Nigerian Red Cross Society whose volunteer force was more than 800,000 across the country.
Meanwhile, the Commander-General of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Harun Ibn-Sina, said the training was a good move to involve his personnel and other security agencies.
“Those trained should endeavour to train others so as to continue to help those injured and retrieve the dead to their families for proper burial.
“During the bomb blast that happened at the central mosque in Kano in 2014, other security agencies were attacked by the people, it was Hisbah that calmed the situation down,’’ he said.
Ibn-Sina urged the ICRC to carry out such trainings in all the 44 local government areas in the state.
He revealed that Hisbah has a workforce of about 10,000 corps awaiting various trainings to serve the community better.
One of the trainees, Kudin Ali, an Assistant Superintendent of Hisbah said that it was a very important training on how to manage the dead.
“Due to the crises happening in our country right now, this will help us to save the people and give them good hospitality,’’ he said.
Ali also commended the ICRC for including them in their activities and this should be a monthly lecture to ensure good productivity.
