Speech of Hon’ble Chief Minister on the occasion of Orissa Disaster Preparedness Day at Jayadev Bhawan on 29.10.11

       

          Today we have gathered here to observe the Orissa Disaster Preparedness Day and the National Day for Disaster Reduction.

          Disaster causes widespread human, material or environmental losses.   The Super Cyclone that ravaged the coastal Orissa on October 29, 1999 is a grim reminder of the destructive implications of a very severe disaster. We have assembled here to reassess our preparedness and resolve to face disasters of similar magnitude.

          Recognizing the  geographical position of Orissa, my Government has been actively pursuing a proactive, and technology driven disaster management strategy through a culture of prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response to protect lives, livelihoods and assets.  Orissa has made long strides in several areas towards strengthening the institutional mechanism, response capacities and financial arrangements for different activities relating to disaster management.  

With every passing disaster, we have pushed changes in the strategy to bring improvement in the quality of management. Since the creation of Orissa State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), we have focused  on   structural and non-structural interventions for higher level of preparedness and response. We have constructed disaster related infrastructure like multi-purpose cyclone shelters, flood shelters at remote areas, District Emergency Operation Centres, all weather road connectivity to villages and also communication channels.

We have constructed more than 200 multipurpose cyclone shelters and 50 flood shelters. To further supplement our efforts for creation of disaster resilient infrastructure, 150 Multipurpose Cyclone Shelters under National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) and 14 Multipurpose Cyclone Shelters under Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project are being constructed. I have instructed OSDMA to construct a few more flood shelters at strategic locations.

In our effort to strengthen the participatory model of ownership and management, we have handed over the cyclone and flood shelters to the Community based Shelter Management and Maintenance Committees.  

          Continuous updating of the capacities of the community and other stakeholders has been our priority throughout.  The community members have been trained on use of search and rescue equipment, techniques and first aid too.  Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Programme under UNDP assistance is being implemented in Ganjam, Kendrapara and Bolangir Districts and in three urban areas -  Bhubaneswar, Angul and Talcher.

Ten units of Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), trained in search and rescue techniques and equipped with modern machinery, set up at Cuttack, Balasore, Chhatrapur, Jharsuguda, Koraput, Bhubaneswar, Paradeep, Baripada, Rourkela and Bolangir are ready to respond to disasters. Similarly, we have strengthened 100 Fire Stations to act as a multi-hazard response force at the grassroots level.   ODRAF and fire service units along with NDRF teams have performed very effectively during the recent floods.  

We have  emphasized on an inclusive approach and have taken due care to strengthen every member of the community to face the disasters. We have made separate provisions for women, especially pregnant women, children and persons with disabilities.  To ensure total accessibility for Persons with Disabilities, OSDMA in collaboration with Handicap International has taken up structural modifications in 28 existing multipurpose cyclone shelters with provisions of ramps and other specially designed facilities for them.   Aids and appliances have been distributed to the Persons with Disabilities in shelter villages with support from Handicap International. At least one person with disability has been nominated as a member of the cyclone shelter management and maintenance committee of each cyclone shelter. This year’s theme for observance of this day is “Mainstreaming Persons with Disabilities in Disaster Risk Reduction Practices.” We have set up an objective for ourselves to implement the accessibility features in all proposed cyclone and flood shelters.

During September last there were severe flood situations in the major river systems of the State and the events took place in quick succession. We have handled the same with determination.   Instructions have been made for prompt distribution of house building assistance, sand cast subsidy and ex-gratia for loss of life. Orders have been given to complete distribution of agriculture input subsidy by the 15^th of November, 2011.    

I thank the volunteers, PRI members, Self Help Groups, ODRAF, NDRF and officials including the Armed Forces engaged in relief and rescue operations, who have done a commendable job. Many civil society organizations, NGOs and Indian Red Cross Society (Orissa State Branch) have significantly assisted in our effort to manage disasters in the State. I thank all these organizations for their cooperation and support in managing disasters in Orissa.

 I once again appeal to all stakeholders, NGOs, UN Agencies, officials and my fellow citizens to come forward and join hands to reaffirm our resolve to create a disaster resilient State.

N.B. -  As many as 30 persons and organizations were felicitated by the Chief Minister for their outstanding works during the recent floods.   A two minutes silence was observed for the deceased of the 1999 super cyclone.  Revenue Minister, Shri S.N. Patra administered an oath to the officials to work sincerely and selflessly during any natural calamity.  Chief Minister signed on a signature campaign board for awareness on disaster reduction.  An exhibition was also organized on the issue of disaster management.

Among others, Minister for Revenue & Disaster Management, Shri Surya Narayan Patra,  Chief Secretary, Shri  Bijay Kumar Patnaik,  Revenue Secretary, Shri R.K. Sharma, SRC Shri P.K. Mohapatra,  OSDMA M.D., Shri Bichitrananda Das and others spoke on the occasion.