Port Blair, Nov. 4: 'Up-scaling Aapda Mitra Scheme' of Government of India is being implemented by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in partnership with State Governments and State Disaster Management Authorities. Under this scheme, a target has been set to train 300 community volunteers (100 from each district) of A&N Islands with the basic skills for responding to their community's immediate needs during and in the aftermath of a disaster. These trained volunteers can assist in saving lives using the basic techniques of disaster response, coordination and management.

The Directorate of Disaster Management conducted Disaster Management Trainings for Community Volunteers in each district and 289 Community Volunteers (Aapda Mitra) were trained under the scheme. As per the Scheme, Emergency Response Kits were distributed to the trained Aapda Mitras of South Andaman District in the premises of the Directorate of Disaster Management today.

On the occasion, Shri Janik Ram, Asst. Director (Admn.), DDM welcomed the gathering and briefed about the scheme and role of Aapda Mitras to support Administration for strengthening of disaster preparedness activities and also assist if any disaster occurs in the Islands.

Shri Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, Director (Disaster Management) who was the chief guest on the occasion appreciated the Aapda Mitras for their voluntarily participation in Disaster Management programmes for managing disasters in A&N Islands. He urged them to continuously support the District Administration in capacity building of the community. The chief guest distributed the Emergency Response Kit to all Aapda Mitras of South Andaman District.