India to implement Sendai framework for disaster reduction

NEW DELHI: India will implement the Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction in letter and spirit, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said today.

Inaugurating a workshop on 'Enhancing Private Sector Partnership for Disaster Risk Reduction' here today, Rijiju said India has upscaled its efforts to assist its neighbours and other countries in the field of disaster risk reduction.

The 'Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030' was adopted during the third UN World Conference on disaster risk reduction held in Sendai, Japan on March 14-18, 2015 where India was represented by Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

The implementation of the Sendai framework involves adopting integrated and inclusive institutional measures so as to work towards preventing vulnerability to disaster, increase preparedness for response and recovery and strengthen resilience.

Rijiju proposed that as a part of corporate-social responsibility, private sector can play a big role in disaster preparedness and mitigation planning as well as relief and recovery phase.

Speakers representing the private sector assured that they would fully support the government and provide all possible help towards disaster risk reduction.

Rijiju said India has already started the preparatory work towards the hosting of the first asian ministerial conference on disaster reduction in November next year.

As per the tradition, smaller level partnership meetings called the IAP ( ISDR Asian Partnership) are held prior to the hosting of main conference and the 1st IAP meeting will be held in New Delhi during November, 2015.

Today's workshop was also addressed by Margareta Wahlstrom, United Nations Special Representative of Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction.