Youth Involvement In Disaster Management Programme Held

HT Bureau

GUWAHATI, March 16: Effective involvement of youth and adolescents of the society in disaster risk management activities can go a long way in so far managing disaster is concerned.

Keeping this into mind a five-day residential programme on “Training of Trainers Programme on Engaging Youth & Adolescents in Disaster Risk Management & Climate Change Adaptation” started from March 13 and will conclude on March 17.

It is being held at Jirsong Asong in Diphu.

This is a part of an initiative taken by the Department of Geography, Assam University Diphu Campus and National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

Around eighty government officials from various departments like environment and forest, civil defense, DDMA officials, Karbi Anglong Mountaineering Association members, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), college professors, school teachers, NCC & NSS officers, Indian Red Cross Society members from various youth organisations and NGOstook part in the programme.

The aim of this training programme is to build the capacity among the adolescents/youth coordinators on basic concepts of disaster risk management and strengthening the mechanism for effective involvement of adolescents/youth in disaster risk management activities.

“The young people are becoming a transformative force for social change and progress in India and around the world. Contribution of adolescents/youth in disaster response is considerable. Despite the risks and vulnerabilities young people face especially in disaster situations, it would be short-sighted to view adolescents/Youth simply as victims or passive beneficiaries of assistance. Adolescents/youth can make important contributions to disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and response activities. There are many examples that the adolescents/youth serving networks have volunteered their services during the disaster to help and rebuild their communities,” a press release said.

Dr Balu. I, training coordinator, CCDRR, NIDM explained the various objectives of the programme and Ranjan Kumar, CCDRR, NIDM delivered the special talk about the youth involvement in disaster management. Welcome and inaugural address has been delivered by Dr C Prakasam, HoD and coordinator of the programme and Dr. Atur Kiri Ingti, assistant professor and co-coordinator, department of Geography, Assam University Diphu campus has delivered the vote of thanks.