Patil to inaugurate SAARC Disaster Management Centre tomorrow

New Delhi, Oct 9 (UNI) Home Minister Shivraj Patil will inaugurate the SAARC Disaster Management Centre tomorrow that would serve the SAARC member countries by providing policy advice and facilitating capacity development services for effective disaster risk reduction and management.

The Centre would be a vibrant centre of excellence for knowledge, research and capacity development on disaster management. It would provide information and advice to SAARC nations on strategic learning, research, training, system development, expertise promotion and exchange of inforamtion for disaster prevention and mitigation, Dr P G Dhar Chakravarti, Director of the proposed Centre, told mediapersons here.

This would be the ninth SAARC Centre and second in India, he said.

The decision to set up this Centre was taken in the aftermath of tsunami to enable countries of the region to effectively deal with diasters by collaborative efforts as diasters follow no boundaries, he said.

The Centre, to be opened in the premises of National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), would collect, compile, document and disseminate data, information, case studies, indigenous knowledge and good practices relating to disaster management, he said. It would analyse information, undertake research and disseminate research findings on disaster management.

The centre would develop educational material and conduct academic and professional course on disaster management. It would also organise training and awareness programmes for various stakeholders on disaster management. It would provide assistance in the formation of policies, strategies, disaster management framework and other assistance as may be required.

It would network with the national focal points of disaster management in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan and Afghanistan which is soon going to join SAARC, he said. The SAARC Centre would enable these countries to share information on floods, cyclones, tsunami, earthquake, disease epidemic and other natural and manmade disasters.

Ms Preeti Sharan, Joint Secretary (SAARC) in the External Affairs Ministry, said India being the largest country in the region understands its responsibility in preventing and mitigating disasters and helping the neighbouring countries in their efforts.

The centre would play a vital role in meeting these goals, she said.

UNI AJ SB KN2102