To ensure resilience and better preparedness against disasters, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has trained over a lakh people across the country in one month on the do’s and don’ts during man-made or natural emergencies.
The feat was achieved between June 1 and 30 as part of a special initiative when instructors and trainers of the NDRF reached 482 villages, towns and cities to sensitise people about disasters that occur specifically in those areas and also in general. “The aim of this first-of-its kind exercise was to sensitise the vulnerable sections to disasters and bring about a sense of community capacity building. Every year, we see a number of calamities in the country like floods and earthquakes and it is our belief that every man should be trained and prepared to counter such challenges,” NDRF Director-General O.P. Singh told PTI.
Mr. Singh, who is behind the initiative, said records showed that if a community was well prepared to combat such issues, the loss of life and property could be brought down significantly.
“Community awareness and sensitisation on disaster issues holds good for India. While we have reached over a lakh people, many more are still left,” he said.
In the month-long Community Awareness Programme, a total of 1,07,112 people in 22 States were trained in basic understanding of disaster management and combat by the NDRF in 482 sessions. The force also trained school students.
Senior citizens roped in Data shows under the over one lakh people trained, there were 3,078 senior citizens, 30,279 men and 8,521 women. A total of 29,732 girls and 35,902 boys were also trained.
