The National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) has completed a technical training course for Unit 706 from the Special Military Region after a 19-day session with 120 trainees.

The closing ceremony was presided over by Hang Samoeun, vice-president of the NCDM and adviser to Prime Minister Hun Sen.

According to the NCDM’s press release, the search-and-rescue operations force from Unit 706 have also been provided with the equipment and the means to carry out rescue of people affected by disasters in addition to the training.

Samoeun commended the commanders of the Special Military Region for conducting the training programme in response to disasters, especially floods.

“[Samoeun] hoped that the past training will provide results and effectiveness and can change the shortcomings of our past search-and-rescue capabilities for a quick response to save the lives of victims,” the press release said.

The training course took place from December 6-26 with 120 trainees from the Special Military Region. The course comprised a total of 12 theoretical lessons and five field exercises with one military exercise for two nights and three days.

NCDM spokesman Seak Vichet could not be reached for comment on December 27.

Last month, the NCDM also provided a training course to 120 soldiers from Unit 705 from Military Region 5 over a period of 31 days in Battambang province. They received primary training for search-and-rescue operations such as disaster rescue techniques and motorboat driving.