Assam initiates its First Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Roadmap in line with SDGs

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Assam has initiated its first Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Roadmap which aims to ensure that the development gains of the state are sustained and the losses and impacts of various disasters are reduced. The first State level consultation was held in Guwahati on March 12 and 13 to identify the current progress in DRR and envisioning strategic actions to enhance the resilience of the state in line with Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and Sendai Framework for DRR.

In the concluding ceremony of the programme held on Friday at Assam Administrative Staff College, chief guest Jogen Mohan, State Minister of Revenue and Disaster Management, said that it is a holistic approach of Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) along with UNICEF and Oxfam India to prepare a disaster risk reduction road map for reducing the loss of properties and lives during disasters in the state since many years. There will be an active plan for next ten years in the road map to implement at the time of disaster which would help the administration to coordinate with its stakeholders.

Addl. Chief Secretary to the Govt. of Assam JishnuBarua said that this road map will bring a good coordination among the departments and stakeholders to reduce the loss of lives and properties at the time of disasters. Baruah said that Assam is the fourth state after Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha to prepare this road map in the country.

Commissioner Secretary and ASDMA CEO, M. S. Manivannan, said that as Assam is vulnerable in the context of various disasters including flood, the road map will bring a pathway towards reducing the vulnerability and boost the coordination among the concerned departments during any disaster.

Sarabjit Singh Sahota of UNICEF emphasized on the support from the state government in this holistic approach.

The Consultation programme was organised by Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), UNICEF and Oxfam, India in collaboration with IAG.

The first State thematic Consultation programme viz. Resilient Social Sector Services and Infrastructure was attended by the nodal officers of district and state level from Health and Family Welfare, Social Welfare, PHED, Education and Panchayat and Rural Development sectors. The programme tried to look at more specific issues which concern specialized areas of the governance and development. A series of preparatory steps were undertaken before organizing these consultations, to understand the prevailing conditions, damage and losses underwent by various stakeholders.

Once the DRR Road Map is prepared, yearly planning process will include the State Disaster Management Plan and Departmental Disaster Management Plans which will envision towards implementing the strategies to achieve the defined global targets.

The programme was also attended by the senior officials from Education, Social Welfare, PHED, Health and Family Welfare and P&RD Department along with the representatives of UNICEF, Oxfam India and IAG.

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