THE DAILY TELEGRAMS
December 15, 2005
CASA's workshop on disaster preparedness commences
Port Blair, Dec. 14
A five-day workshop on community based disaster preparedness for the
Nicobari community was formally inaugurated at the Youth Hostel here
organised under the aegis of Church's Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA).
Speaking as the chief guest, the Additional District Magistrate (ADM),
Shri Neerak Bharati explained the importance of the workshop, which teaches
people to be prepared whenever a disaster strikes. The A&N Administration
has chalked out a Disaster Management Plan for the islanders. Since there is
a scarcity of government servants who can train the people locally, it was
decided by the Administration to give the task to the NGOs who are
experienced in the field.
Shri Alok Ghosh, resource person from CASA, Kolkata who is here to train
the selected trainees, briefed the gathering on disaster preparedness. He
said that in the next five days the group will be trained on community based
disaster preparedness. The trained youth will spread the education further
in their respective villages.
In his welcome address Shri. Billy Graham of CASA explained that 15
candidates from different villages of Car Nicobar have been selected for the
workshop while four have been selected from Hut Bay, who will be joining in
a day or two. CASA's work in the disaster struck areas is acknowledged
worldwide, especially for the work done in Orissa. Their work is recognition
by the Indian Red Cross Society. It's indeed a privilege to have resource
persons who have practical experience to train the islanders, said Shri
Graham.
At the end of the inaugural session Shri Prakash Thakur, Field Officer
CASA proposed the vote of thanks, a CASA communiqué said here today.

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