Child rights commission recommends action plan for flood management
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 22 2018:
In the wake of flash floods in the State that has left 7 dead and affected 1,80,102 people including 72,00 children, Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Government of Manipur, has drawn the attention of the State Authority and concerned departments and recommended several action plans.
The commission has called on all the departments concerned for 'special attention' for the safety of children at the various relief camps opened in the State.
The commission has urged the Social Welfare Department for distribution of additional food and nutritional support through ICDS centres in the flood affected areas.
It also urged the DCPUs to submit specific flood affected reports for availing 'flexi-fund' under ICPS which is meant for calamity affected children.
The commission sought the attention of the Medical Department for conduction of mass medical camps with paediatric doctors in all flood hit areas.
As there is a scarcity of clean drinking water in the flood affected areas, the commission has urged the District Administrations and the Public Health Engineering Department of the State to provide adequate clean drinking water, bleaching powder, chlorine tablets and other essential commodities to the affected households.
Concerned with the floods witnessed over the recent years, the commission has identified few long term plans and recommended to the concerned authorities, department and the Government.
The commission has recommended introduction of a Flood Disaster Management, life skills to the children, students to protect themselves from floods and other calamities, through training in schools and at village level by the Village Level Child Protection Committee, ICDS centres with the initiatives of the Education Department, SSA Manipur, Social Welfare Department in collaboration with Department of Disaster and Relief Management, Manipur.
The commission recommended 'large scale' community training on flood disaster management and live saving measures, life skills through local clubs and organisations by the Department of Disaster and relief Management in association with NGOs and CSOs.
The commission for protection of child rights also recommended provisions for providing flood disaster rescue materials and life saving kits at 'highly vulnerable zones' by the State authority.
The commission strongly recommended adoption of a 'geo-specific�, 'most comprehensive' State Plan of Action for flood management with adequate provisions of children's safety measures.