Monday Exclusive: Knocking on DR&DM's door
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, May 17 2015 : The recent 7.8 magnitude Nepal earthquake that killed over 8000 causing widespread destruction has alarmed India and neighbouring countries.

Nepal is still reeling under post-quake trauma while hectic rescue and rehabilitation operations are still on.

Sensing the need to revitalize India's response to any kind of natural and man-made disaster, the Centre has stressed on capacity building of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs) to effectively tackle natural and man-made disasters.

Since Manipur lies in Seismic Zone V, considered highly prone to earthquake, there is a need to asses and reassess the State's preparedness to meet any kind of natural disaster.

Keeping the importance of the issue, Hueiyen Lanpao made a quick review of State Department of Relief & Disaster Management (DR&DM) and its preparedness to meet natural calamities.

The State has a Disaster Relief Force comprising of 35 personnel who were trained in Nagpur in the recent past.

However, most of them have not been exercising what they were taught perhaps due to the sheer indifference of the authorities.

Moreover, one rarely sees mock drills as exercises which are vital for maintaining proactive roles during the time of disaster.

The last mock drills was conducted sometime last year at the police station, fire service and oil refilling centres in only Thoubal District.

It was informed that the annual fund allocation for the department is very low amounting to just Rs 40 lakh.

Sources said this is one of the factors responsible for limping approach to initiating many more activities planned.

It may be mentioned that the objectives of Manipur Disaster Management Plan include promoting a culture of prevention and mitigation through curriculum revision; Information Education Communication (IEC) awareness campaign; disaster management plans at all level; mock drills; communicating hazards; risk and vulnerability at community level and streamlined and institutional techno-legal framework.

Development of efficient disaster response/relief mechanism in the State is also part of the plan.

However, it has been observed that public knowledge for collective relief and disaster response efforts is almost nil.

No IEC materials could be seen around public places.

No mock drills are being conducted at premises in the vicinity of hospital, cinema halls, markets, flyover, educational institutes and crowed public places.

Proposed talk shows on Radio and Television which the department had planned are not being recorded or aired.

There is also no tangible collaboration with NGOs or civil society organisations to meet manpower requirement in spreading awareness.

It is also reported that the State received a sum of Rs One Crore after the 13th Finance Commission and the fund is reported to be nearing exhaustion.

The DR&DM is expecting more funds now.

Under State Disaster Response Fund, 90 percent of the funds come from the Centre.

Awareness campaigns were conducted in schools in Chandel and Imphal East districts in the early part of 2014 under the National School Safety Programme.

Since then, there has been no concrete programmes conducted in schools, said a source.

Under such circumstances, there is a need to seriously take disaster response and management to a new level by plucking the loopholes.

Round the year preparedness is required if the State has to meet emergency situations.

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