The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) continues the FAMA CDERT course which aims to increase the level of awareness and preparedness for disasters, especially among FAMA staff.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee, said in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 agreed by 187 countries, stressed that disaster risk reduction is a shared responsibility.
Dr Ronald said MAFI’s efforts through FAMA in implementing the CDERT were timely and in line with the spirit of “Keluarga Malaysia” which could be seen that the duties and responsibilities in dealing with disasters did not lie solely with the enforcement team.
FAMA has also been allocated a fund of 30 million ringgit under the Economic Stimulus Program (PRE) to complete FAMA’s logistics facilities and storage centers nationwide. Equipment such as storage space facilities for fresh and processed agricultural produce, cold room facilities and FAMA vehicles have successfully strengthened the Government’s efforts in ensuring the country’s food supply.
FAMA was also appointed and given the responsibility as a provider of food kits to the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) to be distributed throughout the country when a disaster occurs.
“On this basis, FAMA staff need to be trained and given skills to assist relevant public authority departments and agencies in channeling aid and providing emergency assistance to the target groups involved. This training is also one of the elements that can improve the quality of delivery of the role of FAMA as an implementing agency in strengthening food security during crises and disasters, “explained Dr Ronald.
The FAMA CDERT was implemented in series in collaboration with the Civil Defense Force (APM) and for the first series began on 29 November 2021 with a total of 44 FAMA staff undergoing basic civil defense training for 56 hours at the FAMA Training Institute, Port Dickson. Followed by the 2nd series with the participation of 34 people and now the third series is held from February 13 to 18 with the participation of 163 people. A total of 241 FAMA staff have joined the FAMA CDERT. Going forward, a total of a thousand employees will be members of this FAMA CDERT in early 2023.
