In a significant move towards building a more resilient society, Bihar's disaster management authorities have taken a concrete step to ensure no one is left behind during crises. The state's Disaster Management Department (DMD), in collaboration with the United Nations in India and UNICEF, organized a pivotal two-day capacity-building workshop this Wednesday in Patna. The core mission was to embed disability inclusion into the very fabric of disaster preparedness and response across the state.
Forging an Inclusive Path in Disaster Management
The workshop on Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DiDRR) was strategically designed to mainstream the needs of persons with disabilities across every phase of disaster management—from prevention and preparedness to response and recovery. Technical leadership for the event was provided by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Handicap International (Humanity & Inclusion). The gathering served as a crucial platform, bringing together assistant disaster management officers, seasoned disaster risk reduction practitioners, and vital representatives from various Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs).
Rajeev Kumar, the DRR specialist from UNICEF, inaugurated the session by welcoming the diverse participants. He clearly outlined the workshop's objectives and laid out the expected outcomes for the intensive two-day program. This was followed by a round of introductions, allowing facilitators and attendees to connect and share their perspectives.
Keynote Address Highlights Critical Gaps
Setting the tone for the discussions, Nadeemul Ghaffar Siddiqui, the Joint Secretary of the DMD, delivered a powerful keynote address. He emphatically underscored the urgent need to strengthen inclusion within Bihar's disaster preparedness and response systems. While acknowledging the substantial progress made in disaster management overall, Siddiqui did not shy away from highlighting the persistent and critical gaps in safeguarding and including persons with disabilities.
"Disasters do not discriminate, and hence our response mechanisms must also be non-discriminatory and fully inclusive," stated Siddiqui. This statement became the central theme of the workshop, reinforcing the principle that effective disaster preparedness is inherently tied to inclusive design.
Building a Collaborative Framework for the Future
The workshop marks a proactive shift in policy and practice for Bihar. By focusing on capacity building for key officials and fostering direct dialogue with disability organizations, the initiative aims to translate the principle of inclusion into actionable plans. The collaboration between a state government department, UN agencies, and international NGOs signifies a robust, multi-stakeholder approach to a complex challenge.
The expected outcomes from this workshop are geared towards creating practical tools, protocols, and a shared understanding that will ensure the unique requirements of persons with disabilities are systematically addressed in all future disaster management strategies in Bihar. This move is seen as essential for building truly resilient communities where everyone's safety is prioritized.
