More than 40 participants including members of K1 DIRECT Curaçao, K1 DIRECT St. Maarten, Windward Islands Emergency Medical Services (WIEMS), the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard, the Fire Department, and Emergency Support Function 7 (ESF7) completed a disaster response training facilitated by Jacob “Sjaak” Seen, Multidisciplinary Operational Team Leader of the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC).

The trainings took place at American University of the Caribbean (AUC) School of Medicine and the Government Administration Building over the course of 12 days at no cost to the foundation. Seen provided essential trainings for the participants on the topics of Principles of Humanitarian Aid, Humanitarian Mission Cycle, Search and Rescue, Crisis Management, Information Management, Reception and Departure Centres and Emergency Logistics.

These elements were all broken down into step-by-step procedures of a complete mission cycle pertinent to an affected population.

K1 DIRECT has committed to specific predetermined roles under ESF7 within the disaster management structure of the Government of St. Maarten. Seen has an extensive background in global humanitarian aid and prior to his position at UNDAC he worked with Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) in the Netherlands, among others. His background has allowed him to tie real-world experience into methodology while stressing the importance of group work. The trainings have allowed the participants to gain a well-rounded view of disaster preparation and coordination.