NDMA-Civil Society engagement for Disaster Risk Reduction In its efforts to engage with the civil society to enhance disaster preparedness, mitigation and response measures at the community level, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) met representatives from various Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Panchayats and other stakeholders here today. Shri R. K. Jain, Member, NDMA, who chaired the meeting, said it was very important for NDMA and civil society to work together for disaster preparedness and mitigation. Calling NGOs and Civil Society Organisations a natural partner, NDMA emphasized upon their role in improving preparedness and response mechanisms at the district, panchayat as well as the community levels. Sharing their experiences, participants highlighted the effectiveness of simple and user-friendly measures in mitigating disaster risk. Shri Pawan Yadav, Sarpanch from Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh and Shri Bhoorabhai Parmar, Sarpanch from Kutch, Gujarat shared their experiences of flood control and Lok Bhagidaari respectively. A detailed discussion on engaging with the Civil Society for Disaster Risk Reduction formulation of District Disaster Management plans and response mechanisms to heat wave, droughts and floods was also conducted. The meeting was second in a series that aims to strengthen engagement between the Government and Civil Society stakeholders to address disaster risk resilience at the grassroots. The first meeting, held in June last year, had received an overwhelming responses from the civil society. NDMA members Shri Kamal Kishore and Dr. D. N. Sharma also attended the meeting and provided valuable inputs as to how to strengthen NDMA-Civil Society engagement for Disaster Risk Reduction. Representatives from State Governments of Assam, Bihar and Himachal Pradesh, Panchayati Raj Institutions of Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat as well as national and international Non Governmental Organisations attended the meeting.
