Roles and responsibilities of relief and shelter sector in Baushar, Muscat discussed

Muscat: The Social Development Committee in Baushar held its fourth meeting, chaired by Sheikh Ahmed bin Ali bin Saud Al Habsi, Wali of Bawshar, to discuss several issues related to strengthening social work, supporting community initiatives, and ways to support the Omani Women’s Association. The meeting also reviewed the roles and responsibilities of the Relief and Shelter Sector through a visual presentation delivered by Dr Faisal bin Ali Al Amri.

In the same context, Ali bin Said Al Saeedi, Wali of Muscat, met with the sheikhs, dignitaries and community leaders. During this meeting, Dr Faisal bin Ali Al Amri delivered a visual presentation on the Relief and Shelter Sector, outlining the decision to establish the sector’s working team in Muscat Governorate in cooperation with the Walis, Social Development Committees and charitable teams. The presentation also addressed the tasks assigned to the team and mechanisms for coordination and integration among the relevant entities. Furthermore the challenges associated with the sector’s national plan and matters related to shelter.

This presentation highlighted the responsibilities of the Relief and Shelter Sector in providing safe centres for people affected, or expected to be affected, by emergencies, and equipping them with the necessary relief supplies until conditions return to normal. It covered offering relief assistance to affected homes.

In addition, the sector is responsible for preparing, implementing and monitoring response plans at governorate level; identifying and managing shelter centres; establishing and updating databases; organising volunteer and community teams; receiving reports and registering requests for relief and shelter; providing and distributing relief supplies; training field teams, evaluating their performance and submitting periodic reports.

The presentation addressed the roles of Social Development Committees in supporting the sector’s efforts by raising awareness among local communities of mechanisms for dealing with emergencies and reducing associated risks, assisting in responding to the affected people’s needs, identifying the relief supplies available in the wilayats, and coordinating with civil society organisations to provide and deliver them to those in need.

These roles involve organising the efforts of volunteers, associations and volunteer teams, coordinating their participation in awareness-raising activities and events, documenting their efforts, and submitting periodic reports to the Relief and Shelter Sector and the Office of the Governor of Muscat. This reinforces coordination and integration among the relevant entities and strengthening preparedness and response to emergencies.