More funds for disaster risk management programme

The government today enhanced the monetary outlay for the disaster risk management programme run jointly with UNDP by $7 million.

"The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal of Ministry of Home Affairs to enhance resource outlay of government of India- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) - Disaster Risk Management Programme (DRMP), (2002-09) from $34 million to $41 million and also post facto extension of the programme," Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told reporters after a Cabinet meeting.

The additional outlay of seven million dollars was necessitated to extend the programme to seven more districts affected by Tsunami in Tamil Nadu.

It will also help in assisting five north-eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura in construction of emergency operation centres and providing them basic equipment and critical emergency rescue kits, Soni said.