Dwarka: LG launches Aapda Mitra programme at IP University

Dwarka: “Role of Aapda Mitra at the time of disaster is very important as they are trained to respond for the purpose. Their help cannot be forgotten as they tender first help at the time of need”, said the LG of Delhi Vinai Kumar Saxena. He was speaking as a chief guest at the launch of the first batch of Apda Mitra training programme being conducted by IP University Dwarka on Tuesday.

He said that 50 – 60 % of the buildings of Delhi have been constructed in an unplanned manner due to the flux of urbanisation, and as a result of it, there was a risk of fire, and earthquake-like disasters. “Seeing these disaster perceptions, the role of Aaapda Mitra volunteers is really significant. We are trying to match other states in the field of disaster management. Aapda Mitra training is a part of this initiative,” said the LG.

He further said, the role of these trained volunteers was not confined to only disasters but expected their response to petty incidents like, road accidents, snatching, eve teasing, etc.

The LG also inaugurated the newly built ‘Atal Incubation Centre’ and ‘Auditorium – Cum – Placement Centre & Open Air Theatre’ of Dwarka campus of the University.

The Principal Secretary(Home), Govt. of NCT of Delhi Ashwani Kumar informed on the occasion, a total of 1,800 Aapda Mitra Volunteers are being trained as a part of this drive. 600 volunteers are being trained by IP University and the rest 1,200 volunteers are being trained by Skill Corporation of India to meet up any disaster needs of Delhi.

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Throwing  light on the importance of the training programme the Vice Chancellor of the University Padma Shri Prof. (Dr.) Mahesh Verma said, “Delhi is not aloof from disaster perceptions like fire, flood, earthquake. Seeing these perceptions, the training programme is significant. Their role is really important as they respond before the arrival of any other response or help at the time of disaster.”

IP University will train 600 Aapda Mitra volunteers selected by Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA). The University will conduct this training programme in a phased manner. At first, the training programme for 100 such volunteers has been started today.

The duration of this basic intensive training programme is 12 days. The training module for these volunteers has been prepared by the Centre of Excellence in Disaster Management(CEMS) of the University with close coordination with DDMA. The training for the next batch will be started after the successful completion of training programme for the previous batch.

The University trained 5,000 ‘ Health Assistants’ for Delhi government at the time of Corona around two years back.

Aapda Mitra scheme was launched by National Disaster Management Authority in May 2016 with a focus on training of community volunteers with the skills that they would need to respond to their community’s immediate needs in the aftermath of a disaster thereby enabling them to undertake basic relief & rescue tasks during emergency situations such as floods, cyclone, earthquake, fire, etc.

The volunteers are trained on basic concepts of disaster management, disaster preparedness, search & rescue, fire safety, first aid, basic life support, snake & animal bites, etc.  Each of them is given an individual emergency responders kit which they can use during emergencies to help others. Apart from this basic training, they have undergone various refresher trainings & drills time to time as per requirements.

NDMA is planning to train one lakh such volunteers at 350 selected districts prone to flood, cyclone, landslide, earthquake, etc. at pan – the India level by the end of this year.