UNDP Team Visits Bihar State Disaster Management Authority to Enhance Collaborative Efforts

Patna: A high-level meeting was organized on Thursday at the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA) auditorium under the chairmanship of its Vice President Dr. Uday Kant and the guidance of Member Paras Nath Rai. Isabelle Tschan, Resident Representative of UNDP-India, attended the meeting with her five-member team.

During the meeting, UNDP representatives received information through a film about various programs initiated by the Authority, including Nitish Pendant, BSDRN (Bihar State Disaster Response Network), Chief Minister’s School Safety Program, Safe Swimming Program, Community Volunteer Training Program, Mason Training Program for Earthquake-Resistant House Construction, Divyang Disaster Safety Program, Hospital Fire Safety Program, Global Warming and Environmental Protection Program, and awareness programs through AR/VR and other advanced technologies.

Isabelle was impressed by the Authority’s programs. She praised the innovative technological practices in disaster management by the BSDMA, stating, “I am very pleased to have the opportunity to visit the Authority.” She expressed interest in collaborating with the Bihar State and promoting its programs through UNDP to other states.

She also expressed her desire to contribute technically in the field of disaster risk management in Bihar. She discussed strengthening the participation of other departments in disaster management by developing a departmental disaster management plan, providing technical assistance in strengthening and implementing Patna’s Urban Disaster Management Plan, preparing a framework for the implementation and monitoring of the DRR roadmap, and organizing training for disaster management officials and field visits to learn from better practices in other states.

BSDMA Vice President Dr. Uday Kant welcomed UNDP’s proposals and expressed the desire to implement future work plans. Responding to Isabelle’s question about preparations to protect women from disasters in Bihar, he said that under the visionary leadership of the Authority’s President-cum-Chief Minister, the BSDMA is working on disaster prevention and management through 1.5 crore ASHA workers and the effectiveness of the state’s 50% women’s reservation policies.

He mentioned that UNDP’s experience in disaster risk management and climate change could help Bihar plan effective disaster mitigation measures. UNDP’s experience can enhance BSDMA’s capacity-building programs and assist BSDMA in identifying gaps in its disaster risk management system.

BSDMA Member Paras Nath Rai provided detailed information about the Authority’s Safe Swimming Program and Volunteer Training Program for women’s disaster management training. On this occasion, Secretary of the BSDMA Minendra Kumar, Special Secretary Ashutosh Singh, and other officials of the Authority, along with UNDP’s National Program Officer Dr. Chiranjeev, Program Analyst Shubham Tandon, and Consultant Chandan were present. The program was conducted by the Senior Advisor of the Authority, Dr. Anil Kumar.