India Assumes Chairmanship of Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre

• 29 Jul 2024

Source: PIB

India took over as Chair of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) for 2024-25, playing a pivotal role in global and regional Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).

• ADPC is an autonomous international organisation focused on disaster risk reduction and climate resilience in Asia and the Pacific region.
  • It was founded by India and eight neighboring countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
  • ADPC operates as an autonomous international organisation governed by the Board of Trustees, with headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand and sub-centers in operational countries. 
• India has spearheaded international efforts in DRR, notably through the establishment of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and India is committed to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR), which it signed during the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in 2015.
• The Disaster Management Act of 2005 establishes the legal and institutional framework for disaster management in India at national, state, and district levels. 
  • The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is the apex body responsible for policy formulation, while the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) and District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) oversee state and district-level policies and plans. 
• Key Institutions: National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM)  focuses on capacity development, training, research, functions under NDMA. 
  • National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) the world's largest rapid reaction force dedicated to disaster response. It is a specialised response force for natural and man-made disasters, including Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear emergencies. It operates under NDMA's direction.

Read more: Making India Disaster Resilient