(i) Mizoram is receiving heavy rainfall for 6 months every year during monsoon. As such the inhabitants are likely to suffer from cyclone, landslide, cloudburst, lightning, flood etc. Therefore, the main objective of the department is to prevent the loss of lives and properties and to minimize the sufferings of the people owing to Monsoon.

(ii) Mizoram is lying within the Seismic Zone V (Earthquake prone area.) As such, Govt. of India is taking initiative under UNDP – DRM Programme with Govt of Mizoram to sensitise the awareness to the public for prevention/mitigation of earthquake Disaster in a form of Training and preparedness to face the Disaster.

(iii) Rehabilitation of underground personnels who came over ground following the dialogue and Peace Accord 1986 signed between Government of India and the underground MNF Leaders are also taken up by the Department.

Services                                                                                                                                        Go Top

A brief highlights on the list of services being provided by the department are as follows:
 

1	Natural Calamities/Drought and Flood Relief and Gratuitious Relief GoI-UNDP/CRF
	The United Nations Development Programme with the Govt of India (The Ministry of Home Affairs signed Memorandum of Understanding with Govt. of Mizoram under “Disaster Risk Management” Programme for 2002-2010 to be implemented in 17 selected seismic zone V States including Mizoram. The Govt of Mizoram appointed the R & R Department (now DM & R), Department as nodal Department for implementation of the DRM Programme. The Government of India has so far released Rs. 30,177,397 under UNDP to the State Nodal Agency for implementing of the programme in the State for strengthening of SEOC/DEOC procurement of S & R equipments support. Honorarium of Consultant & Field Officers.
2	Government of India prepare a Scheme for constitution and administration of the Calamity Relief Fund (CRF). The Scheme is operative throughout India and from the financial year 2005-2006 to 2009-2010 for extending payment of immediate relief to the victims of Cyclone, Drought, Earthquake, Fire, Flood, Tsunami, Hailstorm, Landslide, Avalanche, Cloudburst and Pest attack.
3	In case of insufficiency of Fund under CRF for making payment of relief to the victims of Disasters, the National Contingency Fund (NCCF) is made availably by Government of India in the case of severe nature of Disasters. A list of approved items and norms for assistance and Funds under CRF and NCCF are at Annexure-I.
4	Ex-Gratia Grants
	The Department has a token provision of Rs. 0.6 lakh under Social Security & Welfare under Major Head of Account - 2235 Minor Head - 800 Other Expenditure Sub Head - (01) Ex-gratia Grant Object Head - (50) Other Charges.
5	Relief & Rehabilitation of Displaced Persons
	The Department has a token provision for Rs. 0.5 lakh under Social Security & Welfare for Relief & Rehabilitation of Displaced persons under Major Head of Account - 2235 Minor Head - 200 Other Relief measures Sub Head - (01) Relief & Rehabilitation of Displaced persons. Object Head - (50) Other charges.
6	Disaster Risk Management
	a	Pre-disaster management as pro-active strategy including preparedness, prevention and mitigation, wherein every Department has important roles.
		The Disaster Risk Management in Mizoram is functioning at the State Level with State Steering Committee. The Department carry out its DRM work through the Deputy Commissioners in all the districts by organizing awareness Training at various R.D Blocks and Villages levels, in a form of Workshop, mock-drill, etc.
		Mizoram is located in the zone V category which means that its location is within the area most vulnerable to severe earthquake. In view of the earthquake disaster, the department has taken up various measures for preparedness and mitigation by organizing training, Mock drill, displaying hoarding, Essay writing competition, public awareness campaign with the proposal for drafting and enactment of Building Regulations. Necessary materials for Training and Search & Rescue equipments are being procured.
	b	Post-disaster management as re-active strategy including relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction.
		Besides providing immediate relief to the victims of cyclone, drought, earthquake, Fire, Flood, Tsunami, Hailstorm, Landslide as per norms of assistance from the CRF and NCCF (Annexure I) The State Level Committee is responsible to consider rehabilitation and assessment for reconstruction under NCCF for the victims of Disasters. For this purpose, it is considered necessary to have/a separate comprehensive Relief code of Mizoram in view of the peculiarities of Calamities prevailing in Mizoram.

GoI-UNDP                                                                                                                                     Go Top

On the 12.6.2003, the Government of Mizoram signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Development Programme for implementing the GoI-UNDP Disaster Risk Management Programme in the State of Mizoram. The objectives of this programme are:

1) to institutionalize holistic approach on Disaster Management in the State Government machinery;
2) to build up the capacity of all stakeholders and the community in particular; and
3) to create awareness to all the people in the various aspects on Disaster Management.

Under this Programme, the Government of Mizoram had taken steps to fulfill the vision of the Government of India. The following are the actions taken so far.
 

1	Institutionalization
	•	The Government of Mizoram had adopted the National Disaster Management Act, 2005.
	•	State Disaster Management Authority under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister of Mizoram is constituted.
	•	District Disaster Management Authority is constituted in all the Districts.
	•	State Executive Committee is constituted.
	•	State Disaster Management Rule is drafted.
	•	Mizoram Disaster Management Framework is drawn up.
	•	State Steering Committee under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, Govt. of Mizoram is constituted to monitor the implementation of the GoI-UNDP DRM Programme. Meeting held regularly.
	•	Disaster Management Committees are formed in all the eight Districts, 26 RD Blocks, 789 villages.
	•	Relief & Rehabilitation Department had been renamed as Disaster Management & Rehabilitation Department.
	•	Hazard Safety Cell is established in the State PWD.
	•	Review of the Mizoram Urban & Regional Development Act,1990 was conducted to incorporate the Recommendations made by the Group of Experts from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
	•	Experts Recommendations are also placed in the Consultation Meeting organized by the Aizawl City Authority to be incorporated in the draft Aizawl City Building Regulations.
	•	Emergency Operation Centres are opened in all the District and State Headquarters.
	•	Data uploaded in the IDRN portal.
2	Capacity Building of Stakeholder and the Community
	•	Disaster Management Cell is created in the State Administrative Training Institute and is identified as the Nodal Training Institute on Disaster Management.
	•	Training Manuals on Disaster Management in the local language are published in 4 volumes.
	•	First Aid Manual in the local language, prepared by the Nursing Tutors of Mizoram and Mason's Guide prepared by Arch. Biakmawia Ngente in the local language are adopted as training manuals.
	•	46 engineers are trained in Earthquake Resistant Construction.
	•	2896 officials are trained basic concept of Disaster Management at the District level.

Status of Disaster Management in Mizoram                                                                              Go Top
 

1	Institutional policy
	•	National Disaster Management Act,2005 is adopted
	•	The nodal Department, Relief & Rehabilitation is re-named as the Disaster Management & Rehabilitation Department.
	•	State DM Authority and District DM Authority are constituted as envisaged in the Act.
	•	Disaster Management Committees are set up at the District, Block and the Village levels
	•	Disaster Management Teams are set up at the District, Block and Village levels for the following activities, viz., Search & Rescue, First Aid, Shelter Management, Food & Water Supplies, Relief Co-ordination, Information & Damage Assessment, Trauma Counselling.
	•	Formation State Search & Rescue Teams in the State Police Battalions is under active consideration. This team will comprise of Collapsed Structures Search & Rescue and Medical First Responder. They will be equipped with necessary equipments.
	•	Equipments for the training of State S&R Teams are being procured
	•	School authority had included DM topics in the school syllabus ..
2	Earthquake Risk Mitigation:
	•	Hazard Safety Cell is established in the State PWD.
	•	Hazard Safety Cell is drawing up programmes on assessment of buildings and other structures on their vulnerability to strong earthquake. They will start their operations with life-line buildings.
	•	Awareness is created to the engineers working in different departments of the state government through conduct of workshop.
	•	Review of Mizoram Urban & Regional Development Act, 2001 is initiated to incorporate Experts Recommendations on Building Laws.
	•	Training of Engineers and Masons are being taken up in all the Districts.
	•	Engineers sent for training organized by MHA in TITsoutside the state.
3	Preparedness:
	•	EOCs are established in all the District Headquarters and at the State Hqrs.
	•	Efforts are underway to provide latest IT facilities to these EOCs.
	•	DM Plans are being drawn up or updated at the State,District, Block and Village levels.
	•	Trainers from all the Districts are trained on Management, First Aid and Search & Rescue.
	•	These trainers are to impart trainings up to the community levels under the direction of the Deputy Commissioners of the Districts. Some DCs had already reached the community levels.
4	Other Measures:
	•	Disaster Management related topics are included in the School syllabus.
	•	Disaster Management Cell is established in the State ATI to impart training to all stakeholders.
	•	Data collected and uploaded in the IDRN website.
	•	Cyclone Hazard Zonation completed
	•	Earthquake Hazard Zonation is underway.
	•	Teachers are taught formulation of school safety plan and safety tips.
	•	Office superintendents are taught evacuation plans and safety tips.
	•	Mock drills are performed in all the District Headquarters.
	•	Awareness created through newspapers, magazines, cable operators, Doordarshan, Akashvani, hoardings.

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