Neiphiu Rio reiterates Nagaland's commitment to disaster resilience, praising Red Cross efforts and expanding community emergency preparedness statewide
KOHIMA — As Nagaland continues to grapple with recurring natural disasters, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday reaffirmed the state government's commitment to strengthening disaster preparedness, expanding first aid education, and building resilient communities.
Addressing the 39th annual general meeting of Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Nagaland State Branch, at Dr Imkongliba Memorial Hall, Lok Bhavan, Rio said that the government would continue to support initiatives that improve emergency response and community resilience across the state.
At the outset, the chief minister expressed condolences to the families of the two teenage brothers who were killed in a landslide in Mokokchung earlier in the day and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
Rio commended the IRCS Nagaland State Branch for its continued humanitarian service through disaster response, voluntary blood donation drives, first aid training, health awareness campaigns, youth engagement programmes and assistance to vulnerable communities. He said that the organisation's work had strengthened its presence across Nagaland and positively impacted countless lives.
Highlighting the "Community First Responders" initiative jointly undertaken by IRCS Nagaland State Branch and Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority, Rio described it as an example of effective collaboration between government institutions and humanitarian organisations. He added that the programme has been implemented in all 12 districts, equipping participants with first aid skills, disaster preparedness knowledge and emergency response techniques.
Stating that Nagaland lies in a high seismic zone and remains vulnerable to earthquakes, landslides and other natural disasters, Rio said community-based preparedness was no longer optional but essential. He suggested that trained community volunteers could provide immediate assistance during emergencies, save lives and reduce the impact of disasters before professional rescue teams arrive.
He encouraged the Red Cross to further expand the programme so that every district, village and community in Nagaland could benefit from trained volunteers. Rio also stressed the importance of continued collaboration between the government, civil society organisations and humanitarian institutions in addressing natural disasters, public health emergencies and climate-related challenges.
Governor Nand Kishore Yadav, who also addressed the gathering, said the role of the Red Cross was "more important than ever" as communities continue to face disasters, public health emergencies, climate change and other humanitarian concerns. He lauded the Nagaland State Branch for its contributions in disaster response, first aid, blood donation, health awareness, youth engagement and community welfare, and praised the dedication of its volunteers and district branches.
Johnny K Ruangmei, Joint CEO of NSDMA and a managing committee member of IRCS Nagaland State Branch, said the recent landslides across several districts had tested the state's disaster response systems but also demonstrated the resilience of communities and the spirit of volunteerism. He said that the IRCS continued to complement government efforts in disaster response, healthcare, blood donation, first aid, community resilience and emergency preparedness.
During the programme, 23 patrons and two vice-patrons were decorated. The IRCS Nagaland State Branch also contributed INR 1 lakh to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.