NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 25 — Kenya is turning to a Chinese rescue model to build a nationwide network of professionally trained volunteers capable of responding to floods, collapsed buildings and other disasters as the country seeks to close persistent gaps in emergency response .

📻 Breaking It Down

The initiative, being developed by the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) and China’s Blue-Sky Rescue (BSR), goes beyond conventional first-aid volunteering by seeking to establish specialised search-and-rescue teams at county level, backed by common training, equipment and operational standards.

The partnership was formalised on August 5 through a memorandum of understanding signed by BSR founder and chairman Zhang Yong and KRCS Secretary General Dr Ahmed Irshad Idris.

Under the agreement, BSR will establish a joint office at the KRCS headquarters to provide technical support, rescue training and team-building as Kenya expands its search-and-rescue capabilities.

📌 What You Need to Know

A key target is the creation of an elite rescue team capable of preparing for the INSARAG Light Classification, an international standard for urban search-and-rescue teams operating under the United Nations humanitarian response system.

Such a capability would strengthen Kenya’s ability to respond to major disasters and potentially enable its rescue teams to support humanitarian operations in neighbouring countries.

The push comes as recurring floods and other emergencies continue to test Kenya’s disaster preparedness, particularly its capacity to conduct rapid water rescues and respond to incidents involving collapsed or damaged structures.

The partnership has already moved into practical training, with an eight-day programme held at the Kenya Army’s Humanitarian and Peace Support School.

The training brought together KRCS operations leaders from several counties and search-and-rescue personnel from the Kenya Army. Participants were trained in urban search and rescue, including shoring, structural support, breaching and breaking, and confined-space operations.

They also underwent practical training in swift-water rescue, covering boat handling, rescue equipment and coordination during water emergencies.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya