Comprehensive approach initiated by state relief and disaster management

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IMPHAL, April 13: Taking concern over the geographical location of the state of Manipur which lies in the Seismic Zone-V and is highly prone to Earthquakes, Floods, hailstorms, landslides and fires, the state department of Relief and Disaster Management has shifted from a relief- centric approach to a comprehensive and holistic approach in disaster management.
On the other hand considering the seriousness on the impacts of the expecting destructions which will likely be caused by the unexpected occurrence of natural calamities in the state, the state government have constituted the State Disaster Management Authority headed by the Chief Minister, which is the highest policy making body for disaster management in the state.
Apart from this the State Executive Committee of the state Disaster Management Authority has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, but there has been apprehension that the concerned department will be unable to procure or maintain proper manpower till today to maintain or to impart immediate and proper awareness to prevent lives and properties of the people of the state prior to the occurrences of such natural calamities which the state government is expecting at most.
It has been very doubtful on the part of the common public of the state that the concerned department has taken up the preventive measures in the state. But the questions over the  total relief implemented by the programmes taken up in the state by the state department of Relief and Disaster Management to the affected  persons by the natural calamities in the state be meted out by the state government in future to come has arise now.
In the meantime, it has been learnt that,  the department with concurrences from the state government already initiated the Capacity Building for disaster Management by  establishing the Disaster Management Institution for imparting training on various aspects of Disaster Management including awareness generation, mitigation, preparedness and response, to policy planners, government functionaries, members of the community and other stake holders.
The same development has been learnt from the annual administrative reports submitted by the state department of Relief and Disaster Management to the state government and it is also further mentioned that, during the current financial year, 2010-11, with support from of National Instituted of Disaster Management (NIDM), New Delhi a number of trainings on various aspects of Disaster Management have been conducted.
The report also mentioned that, total of 165 schools and college teachers have been imparted training on school safety and disaster management. Disaster management training and awareness generation programmes have also been conducted  in 20 schools and colleges during October to December last year. 327 Middle Level and District level government officers have been trained in given training on disaster management. 40 Masons and 45 engineers from different departments and DRDAs have also been imparted training specially arranged from them in the  Construction of Disaster Safe Buildings.
Apart from this a two days workshop on Industrial and Chemical Disaster Management was also conducted at Imphal in collaboration with the Disaster Management Institute, Bhopal and InWEnt, Germany. The workshop was attended by civil and police officials, engineers, college and school teachers, officials of Manipur Gas Bottling Plant, Indian Oil Company (Assam Oil Division) and various oil depots as a part of state policy.
It may be mentioned that, the state department of Relief and Disaster Management, manages all activities in connection with natural disasters in Manipur, and normally the state government had maintains to the simple disaster management plans and Crisis management plan for drought and floods for which state government from time to time in every financial year prepared the drought and flood management plans for nine districts, 41 Blocks and 12 Municipal bodies in order to help in mitigation the impact of any disaster and amounting an effective and timely response to it in the state.
Besides, the state government has also given priorities to the Community based Disaster Management after considering the community is the first responder during any crisis. It  therefore is important to build the capacity of the community to face different disasters. The department imparts training to the community volunteers in basic search and rescue and first aid. Training of Disaster Management Team of 20 community volunteers each were completed. During the current year 40 community volunteers each in Imphal West and Imphal East districts have also been trained through Community Based Organisations, the annual report of the department highlighted.
The official annual report of the state department of Relief and Disaster Management, finally mentioned that, state government have sanctioned an amount of Rs.260.52 lakhs from the Calamity Relief Fund to provide relief to victims of different natural calamities  in the state during the current year.

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