Impact of disasters on children deliberated
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 23 2021: A three day online content orientation training programme on "Child Centric Disaster Risk Reduction" was inaugurated yesterday.

The programme was jointly organised by Department of Teacher Education, Manipur University and Child Centric Disaster Risk Reduction Centre (CCDRR), National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), Government of India.

Speaking on the inaugural session Professor N Lokendra Singh, Vice Chancellor, Manipur University (MU) briefly highlighted the "Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030" adopted at the 3rd UN World Conference in Sendai, Japan, on March 18, 2015 which outlines priorities to prevent or reduce disaster risks.

He also mentioned that Child Centric Disaster Risk Reduction can be a long-term strategy for sustainable and resilient development for the current and future generations to cope with natural disasters and climate change.

Professor W Chandbabu Singh, Registrar, MU highlighted the vulnerability of children during and post disaster and the trauma of children experienced due to disaster.

He also spoke about steps of disaster mitigation and rehabilitation of disaster affected children.

Professor Santosh Kumar, Head of Department, CCDRR, NIDM focused on the roles and functions for CCDRR, NIDM and talked about the impact of disaster on children and need to find out the strategies to cope with disasters and emergencies.

Dr Koijam Sobita Devi, Co Ordinator of the programme, Department of Teacher Education, MU highlighted that children in difficult circumstances are prone to get exposed or engaged in unacceptable behaviours.

It is extremely important to address their psychosocial needs in such difficult circumstances.

She also mentioned about researches indicating confinement of children or social distancing during COVID-19 lockdown risks their mental health with anxiety, frustration and depression.

The programme was also attended by Major General M K Bindal, Executive Director, NIDM, officials of CCDRR, NIDM and other professors of MU.

The three day training programme is being organised with an aim to build knowledge, skills and perspectives towards child centric disaster risk reduction, identify the impact of disaster on children, find the process of mainstreaming child centric risk management, and understand the strategies for school safety with engagement of children and psychological understanding of children in disasters and emergencies.

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