Disaster management project launched in Darjeeling

HT, 5 October 2016, DARJEELING: Striking a balance between prayers and work on ground zero, the “Disaster Risk Reduction Environment and Policy Advocacy Project” was launched on Tuesday in Darjeeling by Caritas India in partnership with Anugyalaya Darjeeling Diocese Social Service Society.
The project that includes the Government of West Bengal and Government of Sikkim has earmarked 10 villages each under the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) area in Bengal and North Sikkim.
“The main object of the project will be to create awareness and get an implementable plan in place. The main aim is disaster risk reduction and policy advocacy in Darjeeling and Sikkim,” said Sanjay Kumar Das, joint director, state disaster management committee, Government of West Bengal. The landslide-prone villages where the project will be implemented include Gidabling, Nimbong and Suruk in the Kalimpong sub-division in Darjeeling district along with Rel, Namyok, Aksep in North Sikkim.
“We will have mock drills in these villages along with awareness on landslides and earthquakes. We will also identify capable volunteers who will receive training from resource persons. There are proper training guidelines issued by the National Disaster Management Authority,” said Father Valentine Rai, director, Anugyalaya.
The components of the project include vulnerability assessment, search, rescue and rehabilitation. “The project will be on for three years in the first phase. It will be constantly monitored by both the government and the community-based organisations. We will then work on the sustainability of the project and replicate it in other areas,” said Father Frederick D’Souza, executive director, Caritas India.
Caritas India came into existence on October 1, 1962, with a pan-Indian presence with 179 project offices catering to rural and urban communities.