June 28^th 2010. In cooperation between the National Agency for Disasters Risk Mitigation and the Earth Sciences and Seismic Engineering Center (ESSEC) at the University, an intensive training course was organized at the Ministry of Youth and Sport in Ramallah. The course targeted the issue of strategic planning for the reduction of disaster risks and addressed a number of related topics such as how to make disaster preparedness more effective through taking into consideration the Hyogo Framework for Action. More than 40 employees from the Ministry of Youth and Sport participated in the course. 

Dr. Jalal Dabeek, the Director of the ESSEC at the University, mentioned that the participants were trained on a number of safety measures by experts and professionals in this field such as Dr. Mohammad Skafi from the Palestinian Medical Relief Society who trained the participants on first aid and safety. Other training included firefighting drills and training on public safety measures.

The course also included lectures that covered topics such as the role of the Palestinian woman in time of disaster, while the director of the National Agency for Disasters Risk Mitigation, Mr. Wasef Eriqat, delivered a presentation about the Agency, its structure, objectives and activities in the field of disaster management and risk reduction.

In addition to this, further lectures were presented by Dr. Dabeek Director of ESSEC and the Vice-Chairman of the National Agency for Disasters Risk Mitigation in which they discussed issues such as the evaluation of disaster risks, types of disasters, principles of strategic planning for the reduction of disaster risks, the objectives of the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN-ISDR), priorities of the Hyogo Framework for Action and preparedness plans for a number of Palestinian cities to face earthquakes and other types of disasters.

Dr. Dabbeek also addressed the directions set to execute the fifth priority of the Hyogo Framework for Action titled "Disaster Preparedness for More Effective Response". And he spoke about the hazards, vulnerability and capacity, the seismic risk in Palestine and the possibility of an imminent disaster, as well as risk maps, possible earthquake scenarios and other topics.

The course aimed to train the participants who work in the different organizations and governmental institutions in Palestine on how to act in time of disaster so that the risks of a possible disaster are reduced.