Spl emphasis on disaster management in 11th plan, says Patil

New Delhi, Nov 9 (UNI) Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil has highlighted the need for mainstreaming the disaster management initiatives into developmental planning.

He said during the formulation of the strategy for the 11th Five Year Plan, special emphasis had been laid on structural and non-structural mitigation efforts, in addition to strengthening the emergency response capabilities.

Mr Patil was delivering the valedictory address at the 2nd Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) that concluded here last evening.

He reaffirmed the government's commitment to participate actively in the regional and global initiatives for the goal of Disaster Risk Reduction.

The valedictory session was also addressed by Gen (Retd) N C Vij, Vice-Chairperson, National Disaster Management Authority and Mr Madhukar Gupta, Union Home Secretary.

The conference adopted the Delhi Declaration on DRR that contains 26 action points. The Declaration calls upon national governments and other stakeholders to take specific measures for reducing risks on disasters in Asia and its different sub regions.

It also calls for taking actions along the following themes - Hyogo Framework for Action, Mainstreaming DRR, Early Warning and Preparedness, Climate Change, Integration of DRR into recovery and reconstruction, Partnerships and Regional Mechanisms.

The Declaration affirms that the biennial Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction which had started in Beijing in 2005 will be expanded as the Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, with participation of the national government, regional and sub-regional organisations, the UN agencies, international financial institutions and other stakeholders including the civil society, scientific and technical organisations, the private sector and the media.

The Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction will be held once in two years by rotation in different Asian countries.

UNI