Srinagar July 03:(KNS) Institution of Engineers, India (IEI) J&K State Centre, Srinagar and National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) Government of India, in collaboration with Divisional Administration, Kashmir, National Skill Development Forum (IEI), SSM College of Engineering, Parihaspora, National Institute of Technology, Srinagar and J&K State Emergency Operation Center organized three days online Training on Community Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM), which concluded today.
The valedictory function was presided over by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K. Pole, who appreciated the organizers for conducting the training, which can directly benefit the community. He said that community is always the first responder in any disaster and it is imperative to equip the community with knowledge of disasters and life-saving skills. He stressed on the need to utilise volunteers from community, so that they are empowered to identify the risks in their localities and deal with any emergency situation. He acknowledged the role of Disaster Management Professionals, as assets for the Administration. He instructed that similar training programmes should be conducted, especailly for communities living in vulnerable areas.
Er. Aamir Ali, Chairman, Institution of Engineers India J&K State Centre, Srinagar said that Community Based Disaster Risk Management is the process of bringing people together to enable them to collectively address the disaster risk and train them to be better prepared and also make them aware of the available resources. He said that the training provided the community an opportunity to learn and upgrade their skills & knowledge for systematic disaster risk reduction particularly of the vulnerable communities. Prof Anil K Gupta, Head Division of Environment, Climate & Disaster Risk Management NIDM said that community based disaster preparedness is the best tool to reduce loss of life & property, as it nurtures safety in the community and it has positive outcomes. He said that trained volunteers get motivated and encouraged to better deal with any disaster situations. Er. Suneel Grover, Chairman IEI National Skill Development Forum Shimla shared his experiences about how community responded during Covid-19. The training program was moderated by Er. M. Aaquib Sultana Waheed Deva, Honorary Secretary IEI, Fatima Binte Amin, Young Professional, NIDM and Bilquees Dar & Mohmad Mohmmed Suhail Wani, Consultants Disaster Management. The back-end support was provided by Dev Raj, Ishfaq Ahmed Dar and Amanullah from IEI.
The panelists included Dr. Sajad Nabi Dar from Lovely Professional University Jalandhar, Dr. Mahesh Kamble from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, Dr Itinderpal Singh Bali, National Master Trainer, Indian Red Cross Society, Gowhar Jeelani, Disaster Management Expert from Sphere India, Waseem Shafi Dar, Senior Consultant, SDMA, Ashiq Hussain Rather, PhD Research Scholar, Bashir Hussain, DM Professional from LAHDC Kargil, besides Malik Tawqeer-Un-Nisa, Shariq Bashir, Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat, Disaster Management Experts. Theoretical and practical sessions were held during the training, which included Basics of Disaster Management, Need for Community Based Disaster Preparedness, Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, Community Based DRR, Psychosocial Care, Fire Safety, Basic First Aid, etc. The training was attended by around 700 participants, including senior District level Officers, students & staff from SSM College of Engineering Parihaspora, National Institute of Technology, Srinagar, SP College, Amar Singh College, Govt. Women’s College MA Road, Govt. Women’s College Gandhi Nagar Jammu, Kashmir Govt. Polytechnic, Govt Polytechnic for Women, Srinagar and GCET Safapora and members of Civil Society from across the country. The training was made available on YouTube as well.(KNS)