Need to train communities for better response to disasters:LG

New Delhi, Apr 29 (UNI) Delhi Lt Governor B L Joshi today said there is a need to build capacities and train communities in disaster preparedness.

He stated this during an interaction with students of the first batch of MBA in Disaster Management Programme started by the Centre for Disaster Management Studies (CDMS), Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University for government officers and NGOs.

''There is a need to put in our best efforts to create a culture of prevention in Delhi with respect to disasters so as to minimise loss of lives, livelihoods and property,'' the Lt Governor said.

He said working models for specific disasters and as per the specific needs of the city should be developed.

Mr Joshi said more effective prevention strategies would save precious lives and property; funds currently spent on intervention and relief could instead be directed to enhancing equitable and sustainable development instead, which would further reduce the risk for disaster.

He said disaster management was multi-dimensional and multi-disciplinary process, which involved efforts from multiple agencies like, civil society, media, corporate bodies, international organisations, NGOs, academic and research institutions and above all the citizens themselves.

Disasters cause widespread human, material and environmental losses, which often exceed the communities' capabilities to cope without external relief, Mr Joshi.

He said management of disasters required building requisite skills and capabilities competent enough to effectively deal with whole cycle of disaster management -- prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, relief and rehabilitation.

As many as 46 officers from central, state governments, defence, police, para-military, fire services, NGOs and private organisations were pursuing MBA in Disaster Management Programme.

On this occasion, the Lt Governor gave away trophies to the students for best academic performance and two presentations were also made by the students on 'Fire Management System for Delhi' and 'Airport Security- Planning using geo-informatics techniques'.

GGSIU Vice Chancellor K K Agarwal and CDMS Director Amarjeet Kaur were also present on the occasion.

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