India today emphasised that SAARC nations, which have suffered gravely due to various kinds of disasters, should frame national and regional policies and incorporate disaster risk reduction as an important subject to deal with any eventuality.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, while delivering his valedictory speech on the closing day of the first-ever South Asian Annual Disaster Management Exercise (SAADMEx) held here, said India has been taking a "lead" role in this domain as he recounted the role played by the NDRF in providing relief to the people of Nepal, which was hit by a devastating earthquake in April this year.
"Conducting such exercises (SAADMEx) will provide a platform for sharing the best practises among the SAARC member countries in the field of disaster management in the region," an official statement said.
The Home Minister further said that India has provided support during the recent earthquake in Nepal and emphasised that SAARC member nations should "frame national and regional policies and incorporate disaster risk reduction as a component in their development programme."
Singh said the four-day SAADMEx event was important in the wake of recent disasters occurring in South Asia and the regions of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India-- the members of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
Recounting some natural disasters that occurred in the country, the Home Minister said India could take preventive steps and reduce "the loss of lives" in case of cyclone Phailin because of the timely evacuation of people from the coastal areas.
"Similarly, human loss could be minimised during cyclone Hudhud because of precautionary and preventive measures. Disaster management occupies an important place in India's policy as poor people are mainly affected by these disasters," he added.
Singh said India is always ready to help others in case of need.
"India is taking a lead role in this regard," he said.
During the event, NDRF Director General O P Singh said aim of the exercise was to bring eight regional countries together and go ahead as "one SAARC, one response."
The NDRF chief added that climate change is expected to increase natural disasters with increasing sea levels being the most important danger.
India hosted the maiden four-day event of SAADMEx which
aims to provide a platform for strengthening regional disaster response mechanism amongst all the SAARC countries.
The main focus of SAADMEx was to test coordination efforts, create synergy and synchronise efforts to institutionalise regional cooperation on disaster response among the member countries.
Rescuers and relief workers of these countries also undertook field exercises by working on earthquake and chemical emergency-like scenario in the national capital region in the last two days.
