The main goal of the conference was to start the process of making a contingency plan. Edmon Azaryan, head of the Armenian Red Cross Society Disaster Management and Population Movement Department explains;

“A contingency plan is meant to coordinate individuals, agencies and organizations to effectively conduct a rapid and effective response. Contingency planning ensures the availability of stand-by resources and provides mechanism for rapid decision-making that can raise disaster response effectiveness and ultimately save lives”

Manush Melkominan

During the two day seminar the participants were informed about each others work, and also discussed in working groups how they could coordinate their work more efficiently. When I talked with Manush Melkominan, the 22 year old head of the International Department in the Armenian Red Cross Society, she emphasized how important seminars like this is “It is important to remember that you do not work alone in this field-exchange of experience is crucial.”