Procure relief material, equipment in advance to increase capacity to deal with natural disasters: Centre asks states

The Central Government has asked the states to procure relief materials and equipment in advance to increase their capacities to deal with natural disasters effectively.

Addressing the annual conference of Relief Commissioners/ Secretaries, Department of disaster Management of States/ UTs here today to review the status of preparedness of South-West Monsoon, 2013, Secretary Border Management in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) A.K. Mangotra said the capacities of Early Warning Systems have been strengthened.

He emphasized the need to augment multi-sectoral approach in dealing with disasters.

Mangotra also informed that an inventory of relief materials will be set up at the Centre level. He further informed that the Government has started National School Safety Programme in 8600 schools of 43 districts in 22 States in the country.

Joint Secretary, Disaster Management in the MHA, GVV Sarma, made a presentation on the issues related to Disaster Management in the county.

Other agencies i.e. India Meteorological Department, National Institute of Disaster Management, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, National Disaster Management Authority, Central Water Commission, Geological Survey of India, National Disaster Response Force and Ministry of Defence also made presentations relating to the role of their organization for preparedness and further enhancement of the capacity to deal with disasters.

Secretary, National Disaster Management Authority Dr. Shyam S. Agrawal, Relief Commissioners from States/UTs and senior officers of MHA and NDMA attended the meeting.