India has taken the leading role in Regional Cooperation among South Asian countries for reducing disasters : Dr. Pallam Raju

INVC,,

Delhi,,

                          The Minister of State for Defence Dr. MM Pallam Raju has urged the Corporate Sector to contribute to the government’s Disaster Management efforts. Addressing a daylong Seminar on ‘Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief – Emerging Challenges and the road ahead’ here today Dr. Pallam Raju said, “the High Powered Committee, constituted in 1999, had stressed the need for a multi-sectoral approach by way of integrating the participation of all stakeholders into a comprehensive whole. It has also advocated setting up of a system where private sector efforts could be integrated with national efforts.”

“Globally Disaster Risk Mitigation and Management is now taken up as everybody’s business. It is increasingly realized that private, or more appropriately, corporate sector cannot remain insulated from either the effects of increasing natural disasters or the responsibilities of reducing the risk of disasters.”

Pointing out that Regional Cooperation was imperative, Dr. Pallam Raju said that “India has taken the leading role in Regional Cooperation among South Asian countries for reducing disasters.” “The various initiatives taken by India include hosting the SAARC Disaster Management Centre in New Delhi,” he added.

The Minister also lauded the role of the Armed Forces in rushing to the aid of Civil Authorities in Disaster Mitigation. “The IndianArmed Forces, being one of the most dedicated, professional, adequately equipped with manpower and material resources, is competent of undertaking Rescue and Relief Operations for any disaster.”

“The Armed Forces are so structured that they are capable of a rapid response and dispatch self-contained mobile and composite Task Forces to any part of the country, or even overseas…. Task Forces are versatile enough to handle any contingency. The tsunami disaster, cloudburst in Leh, Bihar floods and the Sikkim earthquake are excellent examples of the Armed Forces’ capabilities to reach out to the remotest parts of the country.”

India is one of the most vulnerable countries prone to multiple natural disasters. Its coastal states are exposed to cyclones, 40 million hectares, about eight percent of landmass, is flood prone, 68 percent faces drought threat, six percent of the area is in seismic zones III and IV and the sub-Himalayan region and Western Ghats are threatened by landslides. Besides, there is the possibility of manmade disasters such as nuclear, biological or chemical.

In addition the Armed Forces mount Quick Response Teams to undertake Rescue and Relief Operations during mishaps in the sea, air and on rails.