Patna: A strategic meeting aimed at strengthening Bihar’s disaster preparedness and response framework was held on Tuesday at the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA) in collaboration with UNICEF.
The meeting focused on enhancing the State Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (SPDRR) and reviewing a range of issues linked to disaster management, climate resilience and emergency preparedness.
The discussions were chaired by BSDMA vice-chairman Uday Kant Mishra.
Senior officials present included members of the authority:
- Member P N Rai
- Member Kaushal Kishore Mishra
- Prakash Kumar
- Shambhu Dutt Jha
Representatives from UNICEF included Monica O Nelson and State Programme Specialist Rajiv, among other delegates.
Focus On Climate Change And Future Disaster Preparedness
Officials discussed the establishment and strengthening of the SPDRR framework in Bihar, with particular emphasis on:
- climate change impacts
- future disaster scenarios
- multi-stakeholder coordination
- community participation
- long-term preparedness planning
Addressing the meeting, Uday Kant Mishra said Bihar needed to move beyond traditional disaster management approaches and adopt a more technology-driven and people-centric system.
He said evolving climate conditions, pandemics and emerging risks required the development of a “robust and sustainable” disaster management mechanism.
AI Solutions And Digital Dashboards Discussed
The meeting also examined ways to strengthen the Roadmap Implementation Support Unit (RISU).
Participants discussed:
- the use of artificial intelligence-based solutions
- development of digital dashboards
- engagement of community volunteers
- improved coordination among government departments
Several recommendations were also made to strengthen preparedness at district and Panchayat levels.
UNICEF Highlights Protection Of Vulnerable Groups
UNICEF representatives praised the initiatives undertaken by the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority and stressed the importance of:
- technical assistance
- institutional capacity building
- disaster preparedness programmes
- protection of vulnerable groups
Special focus was placed on safeguarding children, pregnant women and persons with disabilities during disasters and emergencies.
At the conclusion of the meeting, officials and participating organisations expressed a joint commitment to making Bihar more disaster-resilient through continued cooperation and coordinated implementation of the SPDRR framework.
