An insight into international crisis and disaster aid arrived live from Abu Dhabi for Loughborough College Public Services degree students recently.
Wayne Ffoulkes was on the ground for the United Nations’ World Food Programme in the United Arab Emirates capital and spoke via video link to the group, who are studying on the College’s BA (Hons) course.
Wayne shared his experiences of frontline work across Africa and the Middle East for the world’s largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger and promoting food security, which helps more than 91 million people in 83 countries each year.
“The students heard how Wayne and the teams develop a logistical programme for communications, to aid delivery and to build capacity – so communities are supported and gain skills which will help them to cope and to build resilience for the future.
“Wayne was speaking from Abu Dhabi but had recently spent time in Turkey and Africa. It was fantastic for the students to have direct access to a source who is constantly working on the front line, so we are immensely grateful to Wayne for taking the time out of his incredibly busy schedule for us,” said Loughborough College Public Services lead Tim Turner.
“We have also been visited by former Secretary of State for Education and Loughborough MP Nicky Morgan, who discussed with our degree students how the government responds during times of humanitarian crisis overseas and by Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Group Manager Ian Holden, who talked about the organisation’s support for international search and rescue efforts.
“Together with the insight they have gained from, for example, recently taking part in a major land, sea and air military and civil disaster relief training exercise, our students are being given vital across the board exposure to first hand, high level expertise which provides invaluable knowledge and understanding for their degree.”
Pictured: Loughborough College students (from left) Remi Rainford, Reece Baker and fellow Public Services degree students receive expert advice from Wayne Ffloukes live from Abu Dhabi