A conference on emergency management and disaster preparedness was held in Kigwema village with an aim to develop new strategies and courses of action post calamity injury. Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) and the Home department jointly organised the event in collaboration with the Kigwema Students’ Union. The conference served as a platform to share knowledge, experience and devise strategic and operational level issues for reducing disaster risks, mitigating climate change and adapting to its impacts.
One of the speakers at the program, Z Nyusietho Nyuthe, an advisor of NSDMA, challenged the students to change their outlook towards disasters and be equipped with in-depth knowledge on how to overcome the obstacle. Johnny Ruangmei, joint chief executive officer of NSDMA, stressed the need for schools and colleges to have a subject on emergency management and disaster preparedness. Preparedness for natural calamities and disasters is not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when.’ Construction of houses, offices, schools and projects should only be undertaken after taking thorough consideration on safety measures. The project should be better not implemented if it is not well-planned, he added.
Khrolou Koza Lohe, assistant manager (training and education), spoke on community-based adaptation for climate change and disaster risk reduction. She felt that one should construct earthquake-proof houses as the Northeast India region falls under earthquake-prone areas. The conference concluded with gratitude expressed by Mezhüvi Thorie, president of Kigwema Students’ Union.
Around 500 students from Loyola Higher Secondary School in Jakhama and Japfü Christian College in Kigwema attended the conference. The conference sensitized students to combat disaster, developing the knowledge and skills required to tackle emergencies. It also highlighted the significance of being prepared for natural calamities and disasters and how to adapt after they occur. This conference was a step forward towards disaster-preparedness and underscores the importance of proactive solutions to minimize the impact of disasters.
