SILCHAR : In view of the ongoing flood situation in Cachar, the District Disaster Management Authority Cachar has distributed Disaster Kits to 409 trained volunteers of the district who will serve as first responders roles in the wake of any disaster in the district.

The brief ceremony was held at the conference hall of DC’S office here on Wednesday, wherein the Additional deputy commissioner and Chief executive officer of DDMA, Cachar Yubaraj Borthakur gave away disaster kits to the volunteers.

While interacting with the ‘Aapda Mitra’, the ADC Yubaraj Borthakur impressed upon them to utilize their acquired knowledge during disasters scenarios happened and can play the quintessential role of first responder in mitigating the impact besides helping in rescue and relief efforts in disaster-hit areas. 

He said the district disaster management authority has deputed  Aapda Mitra volunteers for undergoing special training under the Government of India’s sponsored scheme “Upscaling of Aapda Mitra” wherein volunteers were sensitised about different aspects of disaster management.

It is noteworthy to mention that AAPDA MITRA is a scheme launched by the Government of India in May 2016 to assist and help the public during natural disasters. It is a program to identify suitable individuals in disaster-prone regions who can be trained to be first responders in times of distress.

The main objective of the distribution of AAPDA MITRA kits to the volunteers is to help them combat the problems faced by the public during natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, landslides, etc. so that they can readily help people around them whenever they are in distress.The disaster kits include Personal Floatation Device( Life jacket) Torch or emergency light(solar enabled)

Safety gloves(Canvas/leather), Pocket Knife, First Aid Kit, Gas lighter, WhistleWater Resistant Clothing, Rain Coat 9. Water Bottle, RUCKSACK and Mosquito net, Safety Goggles, Safety Helmet(water rafting), GUM Boots, Uniform dress with NDMA and SDMA/DDMA logo.Later, a demonstration was also conducted by the NDRF officials about the safety measures to be taken by the volunteers during an earthquake, dip driving, flood, etc.The program was also attended by the district project officer, DDMA Shamim Ahmed, and the Inspector of NDRF, K.K Yadav.