Disaster response drill for foreign envoys, groups held in New Taipei

New Taipei, April 9 (CNA) The Polish Office in Taipei and Taiwan's National Fire Agency (NFA) hosted an event Tuesday that gathered members of foreign representative offices and international groups to strengthen their disaster response and first aid skills.

A total of 35 representatives from 20 European Union member states, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, as well as the branch offices of international organizations, attended the event, which was held in New Taipei and featured lectures and hands-on training.

The lectures delivered by experts in the field focused on disasters and risks facing Taiwan, its disaster management system and operations, and how to achieve disaster preparedness from one's home.

On the skills side, Chen Chao-wen (陳昭文), a physician at Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, led drills on giving CPR, operating AEDs, controlling bleeding, and transporting casualties.

In his remarks at the event, Deputy Interior Minister Tung Chien-hung (董建宏) said Taiwan is located in a region prone to earthquakes and typhoons, making disaster preparedness a major priority.

He conveyed Interior Minister Lin Shih-Fang's (劉世芳) hope of building build a more resilient and safe environment through activities that teach participants essential disaster response and first aid skills.

Tung also noted that Poland, which currently holds the presidency of the European Union Council, has demonstrated a strong commitment to global disaster preparedness and humanitarian relief.

The occasion underscored the close collaboration between Taiwan and its international partners in disaster management and further strengthened exchanges between Taiwan and the EU in disaster preparedness, Tung said.

NFA Director-General Hsiao Huan-chang (蕭煥章) reaffirmed his agency's commitment to expanding international cooperation, building a global disaster prevention network, and enhancing emergency response capabilities to better protect the safety of people around the world.