Uttarakhand: Dhami government is giving a golden opportunity to the youth to become a youth disaster friend, more than four thousand volunteers will be given training

There is a golden opportunity for the volunteers of NCC, NSS, Nehru Yuva Kendra and Bharat Scouts and Guides in Uttarakhand to become disaster friends. Under the ambitious Yuva Aapda Mitra Project of National Disaster Management Authority, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, 4310 volunteers in Uttarakhand will be made capable of facing disasters and skilled as first responders. On Monday, Secretary, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, Mr. Vinod Kumar Suman held a meeting with the representatives of the four youth organizations and officials of USDMA regarding the implementation of this scheme and gave necessary guidelines.

It is worth noting that keeping in mind the ambitious projects of Hon’ble Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, Mera Yuva Bharat, Yuva Setu, Sabka Prayas and 10 Point Agenda on Disaster Risk Reduction, this scheme has been implemented in the whole country. Secretary Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, Mr. Vinod Kumar Suman said that the youth of Uttarakhand who are volunteers of NCC, NSS, Nehru Yuva Kendra and Bharat Scouts and Guides can take advantage of this scheme. He informed that the objective of this scheme is to enable communities to face disasters through behavioral change and to make them efficient as first responders so that in case of any disaster, they can contribute to relief and rescue operations as well as disaster mitigation and management efforts. He informed that on 25 July 2024, the Honorable Home Minister Shri Amit Shah had approved this proposal and it will be operated under the guidance and supervision of NDMA.

The scheme has been implemented in 11 districts of Uttarakhand

Dehradun. It is worth noting that this scheme has been implemented in 315 districts of the country. 237326 volunteers are to be trained across the country. Also, 1300 previously trained disaster friends will be trained as master trainers. At the same time, this scheme has been implemented in 11 districts of Uttarakhand, under which training will be provided to 4310 volunteers and 20 trained disaster friends will be trained as master trainers.

50% women will be trained

Dehradun. Under the Yuva Aapda Mitra Yojana, the age of the volunteers should be between 18 and 40 years. They should be residents of the respective district and should be enrolled in NCC, NSS, Nehru Yuva Kendra or Bharat Scout-Guide. They should have passed at least 7th standard. They should be physically, mentally and emotionally healthy. Along with this, efforts will be made to train 50% women volunteers to ensure maximum participation of women volunteers.

Emergency kit will be given, insurance will also be provided

Dehradun. Volunteers who complete the training will be provided an emergency kit along with a certificate from the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority. They will be able to use this kit for relief and rescue operations during disasters. The kit will include life jacket, solar powered torch or emergency light, safety gloves, knife, first aid kit, gas lighter, whistle, water bottle, mosquito net, uniform, rainy gum boots, safety goggles, safety helmet and multi-purpose rope. Along with this, life and medical insurance of the volunteers will also be done for 03 years.

Curriculum also prescribed, volunteers will become skilled in every field of disaster management

Dehradun. The curriculum has also been prescribed for this by the National Disaster Management Authority. Volunteers will be trained in disaster management, pre-disaster preparedness, earthquake safety, search and rescue, fire safety, flood, lightning, community based first aid, CPR, stopping bleeding and wound treatment, carrying the patient from one place to another, snake bite and bite of other poisonous creatures, rope rescue, chemical disaster as well as to effectively deal with disasters like landslide and cold wave etc.

Secretary Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Mr. Vinod Kumar Suman said that this is a very good scheme. Uttarakhand is sensitive to various types of disasters and community participation can play an important role in effectively dealing with disasters. The damage caused by disasters can be reduced to a great extent through community awareness. This scheme has been implemented by the Government of India for this purpose. He requested willing volunteers to contribute in keeping Uttarakhand safe from disasters.