Chizokho Vero
Kohima | April 28
Several religious leaders representing the Christian, Muslim and Hindu communities in the state capital Kohima today attended a Faith Based Organizations (FBOs) conclave on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) organized by Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA). The conclave was held with an objective to promote a culture of safety in the community.
During the conclave, FBOs were urged to construct safe building for Churches, Mosques and Temple in Nagaland in order to avoid disaster during natural calamities, while they were also appealed to undertake earthquake resistant constructions.
The NSDMA aims to rope in religious leaders to form a unique partnership to build FBOs disaster risk reduction strategies.
This conclave also aims to explore the role of FBOs in disaster mitigation, response and recovery, to augment the strength and potential of FBOs in disaster risk reduction activities within the ambience of the organizations and to search for innovative means of promoting sustainable development.
The NSDMA says that it expects beyond mere political correctness that developing the capability of FBOs leaders will ensure religiously competent disaster response plans and preparedness.
The NSDMA postulates that FBOs fit the conceptual frameworks concerning disaster decision-making as FBOs seek to meet the material, physical, emotional and spiritual needs of disaster victims. “FBOs have distinct advantages in ministering to the needs of disaster victims and responsibilities in helping their congregation and community prepare for and recover from disaster, provide a larger vision of life that includes emotional and spiritual care as well as physical and material rebuilding and role as a trusted, traditional source of refuge for those in need or in trouble,” it adds.
Nagaland Home Commissioner, Abhijit Sinha asked the FBOs to be aware of what to do and take preventive measure when disaster strikes, adding that they can disseminate information to the masses in the Church, Mosque and Temple.
He said there is no need to panic but people need to be prepared, adding that behavioral changes are needed. Sinha said the number of disasters has been increasing with the increase in population, while climate change is a matter of concern.
Expressing fear that Nagaland would suffer massive casualty even if struck by an earthquake of small magnitude, he said, knowing about disaster and managing it is more important.
In this, he urged the FBOs to learn about disaster risk reduction and management and create awareness within their respective members to mitigate disaster during natural calamities.
Commissioner & Secretary for NSDMA, Khrienuo Metha talked about the increase in storms and other disaster cases, as result of industrialization and deforestation. Stating that humanity would need to adapt to nature, she called upon FBOs to come forward and together bring a comprehensive policy and bring disaster risk reduction.
Johnny Ruangmei, OSD, NSDMA asked the FBOs to stay prepared, adding that they will not succeed in managing a disaster if they are not prepared. When building a house, build it safe, he said, adding that it must also ensure how safe is the church, temple and mosque when disaster strikes.
He also said that there needs to be evacuation plans in the Church, Mosque, Temple, adding that a plastic free Church, Mosque, Temple is also required, further encouraging the use of degradable materials and proper maintenance of drainage systems.
“We should have strict disaster management policies,” said Shenili Chishi, reigning 2nd runners-up Miss Nagaland, who also spoke in the conclave. She stated that disaster management policies should be an integral part of government planning. This, she said, will help undertake rescue operations with the help of the trained personnel, provide programmes which will include construction of schools, hospitals and other infrastructure facilities, coordinate with other relevant departments like donor agencies to obtain funds and other resources to overcome a disaster and finally help to take-pre-emptive actions to avert a disaster or to minimize losses.
“Let us all stay updated, alert, vigilant, not only to protect ourselves but also to save lives of many others,” Chishi added.
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