New Delhi: A high-level Indian delegation, led by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, participated in the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) 2024 held in Manila. The conference, themed “Surge to 2030: Enhancing ambition in the Asia Pacific to accelerate disaster risk reduction,” convened ministers and policymakers from across the region to discuss strategies for mitigating disaster risks amidst growing climate-related challenges, a PIB press release stated.
In his statement, Minister Rai underscored the increasing impact of disasters, highlighting the loss of lives, economies, and overall development. He emphasized India’s commitment to proactive measures, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 10-point agenda for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).
Minister Rai stressed the importance of early warning systems, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and financial provisions for DRR. He highlighted India’s advancements in early warning systems, including the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP), Cell Broadcast Systems, and the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC), which serves 25 Indian Ocean countries.
Showcasing India’s leadership in disaster-resilient infrastructure, Minister Rai cited the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), an Indian initiative now encompassing 47 member countries. The CDRI provides technical assistance and capacity-building for investments in disaster-resilient infrastructure. Furthermore, Minister Rai highlighted India’s dedication to financial preparedness for DRR. He noted that India is among the few nations with dedicated financial mechanisms for DRR, with the 15th Finance Commission allocating USD 30 billion to the National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF) and State Disaster Risk Management Fund (SDRMF) for the 2021-22 to 2025-26 financial cycle.