The State Government Wednesday urged the Red Cross to help it in construction of more flood shelters. Revenue and Disaster Management Surjya Narayan Patro made the request to a visiting delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross when it called on him at the State Secretariat. Though the Government has already set up more than 400 flood shelters, the State requires some more, he said.
Praising the Red Cross for its activities in the social sector, particularly in the disaster mitigation efforts in the State, Patro told the committee that in 1999 the Red Cross was the first to provide assistance to set up flood shelters in the State.
The seven-member Red Cross delegation led by Mary Werntz had also met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the Naveen Niwas on Tuesday.
The team discussed various ways to expand the Red Cross organisation in the State and sought the Government’s cooperation to strengthen its activities. The Chief Minister assured the delegation of all support by the Government.