Port Blair(Sr Vijay Puram): The safety and resilience of tribal communities came into focus as the Directorate of Disaster Management (DDM), A&N Administration, organised a one-day Basic Disaster Management Training Programme for officers and officials of the Tribal Welfare Department and Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti (AAJVS) at Aapda Prabandhan Bhawan, Sri Vijaya Puram.
The programme sought to strengthen the participants’ skills in disaster risk reduction, mitigation, response and recovery, with particular emphasis on the unique geographical, social and cultural vulnerabilities of tribal communities in the Islands.
Addressing the participants, Director (Disaster Management) Priyanka Kumari underlined the crucial role of trained officials in safeguarding tribal communities during emergencies. She said enhanced preparedness and trained personnel can significantly strengthen community resilience and improve the ability to respond effectively to disasters.
The training covered disaster preparedness and risk reduction, early warning and communication, evacuation procedures, Search and Rescue (SAR), Medical First Response (MFR), fire safety and community-based disaster preparedness.
Participants were also sensitised to the need for disaster preparedness measures that are tailored to the local conditions and cultural context of tribal areas.
During the inaugural session, Assistant Director (Administration), Directorate of Disaster Management, Janik Ram, stressed the importance of strengthening disaster preparedness and response mechanisms for effective emergency management.
