Presiding over a State executive committee meeting for disaster management held here recently, Chief Secretary JK Mohapatra underscored the need to enhance community capacity for disaster response and training of interested student volunteers in fire fighting services.
Reviewing project proposals, submitted by different departments for grants from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), the Chief Secretary directed that adequate funds should be earmarked for repair and restoration of damaged infrastructure for which funds under regular repair and maintenance were insufficient. Mohapatra directed that the projects proposed under the SDRF must contain timeline for commencement and completion.
It was agreed upon that the Multipurpose Cyclone Shelters (MCSs) and the Multipurpose Flood Shelters (MFSs) constructed by different agencies will be developed to social hubs for strengthening disaster preparedness and awareness at the community level. For the purpose, the funds will be provided through OSDMA from the 13th Finance Commission grant. A revised action plan of around Rs 6 crore to be utilized in capacity building was approved. The basic activities of the capacity building will include strengthening MCSs and MFSs for providing better shelter facilities during disasters, enhancing capacity of the community members for effective management of disaster and equipping MCSs and MFSs to act as social hubs.
The volunteers will be trained in search and rescue operations, first aid and psychological first aid to trauma patients, apart from providing water and sanitation. Women SHG members will be trained on disaster risk reduction, disaster survival skill, relief management, and personal hygiene during disasters. The volunteers will be trained on post disaster need assessment, while teachers will also be trained on school safety during disaster. The programme will be run in all the MCSs and MFSs constructed by OSDMA. At present 388 MCSs and MFSs are under different stages of completion in the State. Apart from this, 65 cyclone shelters are also running under the Indian Red Cross Society, said sources.