IMPHAL, Jun 18 (DIPR): The National School Safety Programme (NSSP) had covered 400 schools of Imphal East and Chandel districts. Under the programme, 200 schools in Imphal East and another 200 schools in Chandel district have been covered with training on non structural mitigation measures such as School Disaster Management Plan Preparation. Mock drills had also been conducted in all the 400 schools. 800 teachers—400 each in Imphal East and Chandel district also have been trained on school safety programme.
In the State, NSSP is implemented in Imphal East and Chandel District covering altogether 200 schools each during 2011-12 and 2012-13 with a total fund allocation of Rs 1,73,43,264.
On the other hand, under the Other Disaster Management Programme (ODMP), the National School Safety Programme (NSSP) which is centrally sponsored scheme with 100 pc funding from the Government of India is implemented by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in partnership with Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Government of India in 43 selected districts in the country with the view to provide safe learning environment.
It is worth to recall that NSSP is handled by the Department of Relief & Disaster Management, Government of Manipur. The Relief & Disaster Management was set up as a separate Department in 2006 as per the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 in order to respond effectively to various disasters/calamities, namely earthquake, landslides, floods, forest fires, pest attack etc. Since the state is situated at seismic zone-V, it is very prone to earthquake.
The Department is vested with responsibilities of not only providing relief assistance to the victims of various natural calamities but also responsible for imparting awareness programmes to various stakeholders on pre and post disaster management comprising disaster preparedness, mitigation of disaster, rescue & relief and rehabilitation & reconstruction etc.
Under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) was constituted. The Chief Minister, Manipur is the Chairman of SDMA. Likewise, State Executive Committee (SEC) and District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) were also constituted under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary and Deputy Commissioner of the Districts respectively. The Government of Manipur has established the Disaster Management Institute (DMI) for conducting research activities and imparting training on various aspects of disaster management including awareness generation, mitigation, preparedness and response to policy planners, Government functionaries, members of the community and other stakeholders. Disaster Management Institute (DMI) is also the State Nodal Institute for the implementation of GOI-UNDP Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Urban Risk Reduction (URR) Programmes.
Presently, the main activities of the department is on capacity buildings mainly on sensitization, awareness programme etc of various stakeholders on disaster management. The various awareness programme on disaster management is being conducted at the Disaster Management Institute (DMI), Babupara at the State level and at the district and grassroots level.
