HT Correspondent
HAFLONG, Aug 5: The Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Dima Hasao District Branch, met with the newly appointed Deputy Commissioner of Dima Hasao, Munindra Nath Ngatey, to discuss the organisation’s ongoing humanitarian efforts and outline its focus areas for the coming year.
Deputy Commissioner Ngatey, who also serves as the ex-officio President of the district branch of the IRCS, was briefed by Chairman Pauramduing Jeme and Secretary Nirmal Singh during the meeting, which took place in Haflong.
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In the meeting, the IRCS leadership presented the minutes of its recent Annual General Meeting and submitted the annual activity report for review.
The report detailed the district branch’s sustained involvement in disaster relief and emergency response operations throughout the year.
Secretary Singh emphasized the organisation’s readiness and swift mobilisation during house fires, natural disasters, and severe cold waves, operating closely with the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) to deliver critical support to affected families.
According to the official statement, relief materials including tarpaulin sheets, hygiene kits, mosquito nets, utensil sets, and blankets were distributed as part of emergency response operations.
The efforts were aimed at both immediate relief and longer-term recovery for communities impacted by calamities.
The IRCS also made significant contributions to public health and safety education through First Aid training programmes, which were conducted in collaboration with the District Road Safety Committee (DRSC).
These sessions specifically targeted commercial drivers, students, and community volunteers, equipping them with life-saving skills and essential knowledge to handle road emergencies and other accidents.
The organisation extended its outreach to underserved regions of the district by organising health camps that provided preventive healthcare services, medical consultations, and awareness drives.
Special attention was given to the welfare of municipal sanitation workers or Safai Karmacharis through dedicated camps that offered health check-ups, hygiene education, and mental health counselling.
These initiatives were seen as essential steps toward ensuring the well-being of an often overlooked section of the workforce.
Community-based workshops on disaster preparedness also formed a core part of IRCS’s activities.
Through its Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR) programme, the Red Cross empowered residents of vulnerable and remote areas with practical training on how to respond during floods, fires, and landslides.
Participants were also given first responder training and basic safety education to reduce risks at the community level.
Looking ahead, the IRCS has identified key areas of focus for the year 2025–26.
These include enhanced volunteer training, leadership development among youth and community members, and strengthening logistical infrastructure to improve the organisation’s ability to respond effectively in times of crisis.
Despite facing resource constraints, including limited funding and a shortage of trained volunteers, the district branch continues to operate with high morale, relying on the dedication and community spirit of its team.
Deputy commissioner Ngatey, in his interaction with the IRCS representatives, expressed appreciation for the organisation’s grassroots initiatives and underlined his administration’s commitment to supporting community-led welfare programmes.
He shared his optimism about working collaboratively for the holistic development of Dima Hasao and reaffirmed his intent to strengthen coordination between the administration and civil society.
A recipient of the prestigious ‘Assam Gaurav’ award for his leadership in the state’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign, DC Ngatey lauded the Red Cross’s contributions in both public health and disaster response. He assured the district branch of his full support for their ongoing and future activities.
Additionally, he acknowledged the pending issue concerning the Red Cross building in Haflong and agreed to review the matter for possible official handover to the Society to facilitate its continued use for humanitarian services.
The meeting concluded on a hopeful note, with both sides expressing their willingness to collaborate more closely in delivering effective relief, building community resilience, and ensuring inclusive welfare in Dima Hasao district.
