|
The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for signing the Charter of Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) as a founding member of the International Organization. By becoming a founding member of the ADPC, India will have a lead role to play in the management of affairs of the Centre and in deciding the future action plans of the Centre. The country will also be benefited due to expanded co-operation in the Asia Pacific region in developing policies and capabilities to mitigate the impact of disasters, and developing strategies to promote joint dissemination of technical and scientific knowledge in the field of disaster management.
The salient features of the objectives of the ADPC as laid down in the Charter are :-
a) to assist Asian and Pacific countries and communities in developing their policies and capacities to mitigate the impact of disasters by providing support for training, information management, research, programme management and technical assistance;
b) to promote disaster awareness for the protection of lie and property and the environment;
c) to promote networking and collaboration between national and regional disaster management organizations;
d) to promote exchange of experiences and lessons learned in disasters among member countries;
e) to collaborate with all relevant sectors in strengthening community capacities to participate in developmental activities for disaster preparedness; and
f) to serve as a forum for development and strengthening of cooperation among the Governments, non-governmental organizations, local communities, academicians, researchers, planners and policy makers.
No financial liability would accrue to the Government by becoming a founding member of the ADPC.
The representatives of Thailand, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Philippines, Pakistan, Nepal, China and Sri Lanka have signed the Charter as founding members.
Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) was established in 1986 in the Asian Institute of technology, Bangkok, Thailand to serve as a regional resource centre for the countries of the Asia & Pacific in enhancing their capacities in disaster management. India was one of the nine Asian countries, which undertook the feasibility study based on which it had decided to establish ADPC. India endorsed the proposal. In the year 1999, ADPC registered itself in Thailand, Bangkok and became an independent non-profit making international foundation with the vision of “Disaster Reduction for Safer Communities and Sustainable Development.”
RK:DS:HS:LV
|
