IRRI-trained emergency teams help community during heavy monsoon rains

For the past two days, members of the Neighborhood Emergency Services Team (NEST) teams in various barangays in Los Banos and Bay have been actively monitoring flood and erosion situations, providing hourly feedback on the heavy downpour caused by Typhoon Maring and the Habagat (monsoon) rains. They have also been helping bring affected families in Barangay Lalakay to an evacuation center.


IRRI earlier facilitated a NEST training with participants from barangays Maahas and San Antonio in Los Banos on 24-28 June 2013 and for barangay Paciano Rizal in Bay on 29 July-2 August, with 21 and 26 graduates, respectively.

With funding from the United Parcel Services (UPS) and through the facilitation of IRRI's Host Country and Community Relations Office and Safety and Security Services, the NEST was started in 2012 as a program designed to build participants’ capacity to provide help; prepare themselves in any emergency; avoid crime and terrorism; prevent fire incidents and be knowledgeable in the use of basic firefighting equipment; contribute to the safety and security of the community; and save lives.


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