Patna: The Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA) has signed a significant Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to enhance disaster risk management across the state. The agreement, formalized during a ceremony on Monday, is aimed at bolstering Bihar’s preparedness, mitigation strategies, and community resilience in the face of disasters.
The event, chaired by BSDMA Vice-Chairman Dr. Uday Kant, was attended by members of the authority, including P. N. Rai, Kaushal Kishore Mishra, Narendra Singh, and Prakash Kumar, along with UNDP’s Deputy Resident Representative in India, Isabelle Tschan.
The MoA was officially exchanged by BSDMA Secretary Md. Waris Khan and UNDP representative Isabelle Tschan. Speaking at the event, Dr. Kant underscored the importance of the partnership, stating, “With UNDP’s cooperation, Bihar’s disaster management strategy will become more effective. Their expertise will greatly assist in planning disaster mitigation measures.”
Focus Areas of the MoA
The collaboration between BSDMA and UNDP will focus on a range of initiatives to strengthen disaster risk management, including:
- Developing departmental and urban disaster management plans.
- Supporting the implementation of district-level disaster management strategies.
- Enhancing the capacity of government officials and communities through training.
- Conducting hazard risk and vulnerability analyses to guide community-level action.
- Ensuring access to resources as recommended by the 15th Finance Commission.
The agreement also includes plans for state-level workshops, exposure visits, and the creation of awareness materials, including augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR)-based videos to educate communities on disaster preparedness.
A Step Towards Resilience
This partnership is expected to mainstream disaster risk management across Bihar, ensuring a systematic approach to tackling natural and man-made hazards. By leveraging UNDP’s global expertise, the state aims to enhance its response and recovery mechanisms while building long-term resilience.
The event was attended by key officials, including BSDMA Special Secretary Ashutosh Singh, Officer on Special Duty Md. Moeezuddin, and UNDP’s State Project Officer Dr. Kunal. The ceremony was conducted by Senior Research Officer Deepak Kumar.
