Potentials of FBOs stressed on disaster management

Our Correspondent
Kohima, April 28 (EMN): Understanding that Faith Based Organisations (FBOs) can religiously ensure competent disaster response plans and preparedness, Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), Home Department, for the first time, organised a one-day conclave on ‘Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Change Adaption’ at Ura Academy, Kohima, on April 28.
The programme was organised with an aim to promote a culture of safety, response and recovery and to augment the strength and potential of FBOs in disaster risk reduction activities within the ambience of the organisations.
NSDMA was of the view that FBOs have the distinct advantage in ministering to the needs of disaster victims and responsibilities in helping their congregation and community preparedness for and recover from a disaster and provide a larger vision of life that includes emotional and spiritual care as well as physical and material rebuilding.
Addressing the inaugural programme as the chief guest, Home Commissioner, Abhijit Sinha, said in today’s era it is very important for every person to know about disasters and the ways to manage them as it has become more frequent due to climatic change. Pointing out the climate induce disasters like early rains, floods, droughts etc, wherein farming community has been adversely affected due to the erratic pattern in the climatic conditions, Sinha attributed to the mistakes men have made to the environment.
And since the population is more concentrated, he said even a small earthquake is enough to bring massive casualties. However, he maintained that ‘if people are aware of what to do when disasters strike and take adequate precautions, then we can continue living with a normal life.’
Stating that the NE people are very casual on the disaster preparedness, response and recovery, he emphasised on the role of FBOs to pass the message to its people on how to be prepared on ‘what to do and what not to do’ for any disasters that might strike at any time.
Urging the members to make this as part of their life, Sinha said ‘to make any change happen in the community, each one has to contribute and everybody’s behaviour has to change.’
Asserting that people need to start preparing for any kind of disasters, Sinha insisted slight behavioural change from everyone saying, ‘when each person takes care of himself, then the whole community can take care of itself.’
Commissioner and Secretary of NSDMA, Khrienuo Metha opined that though the faith based organisations may differ in their belief, all are duty bound to protect the creation of God as all are ultimately affected by any kinds of disasters.
She maintained that FBOs can play an important role as the ‘medium’ to create a sense of awareness and change of perspectives among the people towards disaster response plans and preparedness.
Also commenting that the adverse effects of climate change through afforestation, industrialisation etc., are created by men, she therefore said ‘men themselves need to address these issues together.’
Reigning Miss Dimapur and 2nd runners up of Miss Nagaland, Shenili Chophy, stressing on the importance of disaster management, said good disaster management can prevent fires, floods, thefts etc. from happening, adding even if they happen, their effect could be greatly minimised.
Chophy also suggested on the need to have strict disaster management policies by corroborating as an integral part of government planning so that rescue operations could be undertaken with the help of trained personnel, provide relief measures to the victims, conduct rehabilitation etc and coordinate with other relevant departments like donor agencies to obtain funds and other resources to overcome a disaster and finally to take pre-emptive actions to avert a disaster or to minimise losses.
‘Let us all stay alert, updated and vigilant not only to protect ourselves, but also to save lives of many others,’ said Chophy.
During the technical session, topics on ‘Eco-theology’ and the ‘Role of FBs in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation’ was presented by OSD, NSDMA, Johnny Ruangmei and the Director NEISSR, Dr. Fr. CP Anto followed by demonstration on basic search and rescue methods by personnel of SDRF Kohima, Home Guard & Civil Defence.