2 Sep :To update disaster management plan undertaken by the district disaster management committee, a representatives team of UN Development programme (UNDP) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India visited Dimapur district and had a consultative meeting with Dimapur district disaster management committee (DDDMC) at DC’s Conference Hall on 1st September 2008. Deputy Dimapur, Maongwati Aier, who is the chairman of the DDDMC chaired the meeting.
Former Director, Ministry of Home Affairs, currently representing Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC), M.P. Sajnani, while speaking at the meeting said that the main objective of setting up of disaster management committee in State, District, Sub-Division and Village level is to educate the people on capacity building to change the mindset by giving basic training for smooth functioning in time of any emergency or whenever any type of disaster occurs. He said that disasters are not recent phenomena but have occurred since time immemorial and added that during any such occurrences, people always come forward to help each other. He said we must learn from past experiences which can help us to make a future plan to tackle situations in times of emergency.
Deputy Commissioner, Maongwati Aier, in his chairman’s remark stated that Dimapur district is highly prone to landslides and fires. He requested the visiting team whether they can assist the district for construction of embankments of Dhansiri and Chathe rivers to control flood situation. He also stressed on setting up of temporary water trailers or construction of some water tanks in fire prone areas within Dimapur town. He said that the district has so far conducted 23 trainings and has trained more than 8,600 trainees which include both Government employees as well as representatives of various NGOs from district, Sub- Divisional and village level.
Later in the day the UNDP team visited EAC Office, Chumukedima and had interaction with the officials and public to get first hand experience about the functions of the area committee on disaster management. In the evening the team also visited Seithekie Basa to witness the Mock Drill on Disaster Management performed by the villagers.
The UNDP members included M.P. Sajnani, former Director, Ministry of Home Affairs and representative of ADPC, Sarat Pauda, Programme Assistant UNDP, Amit Jutteja from Sustainable Environmental & Ecological Development Society (SEEDS). The members were accompanied by State Project Officer, RR & DM, Home Department, Petekhrienuo and Field Officer, DM for Peren, Dimapur and Kohima districts, Aja Zinyü.