The Himachal Pradesh Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the French Development Agency (AFD) to implement the Himachal Pradesh Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness Project (HP-DRRRP). The agreement aims to enhance the state’s resilience against natural disasters through a comprehensive and integrated approach.
Details of the MoU Signing
- Signatories:
- Representing the Government of Himachal Pradesh: Nishant Thakur, Additional Secretary and Project Director, PMU.
- Representing AFD: Camille Severac, Deputy Director for India.
- Witnesses:
- Prabodh Saxena, Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh.
- Onkar Chand Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue).
- Anshula Menon, Resilience DRR Sector Portfolio Manager, AFD.
About the HP-DRRRP Project
The HP-DRRRP is a flagship initiative by the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA) aimed at:
1. Reducing Vulnerability: Strengthening the state’s ability to handle natural disasters such as landslides, floods, and earthquakes.
2. Disaster Risk Management (DRM): Enhancing government capacities to prepare for and respond to disasters.
3. Climate Change Adaptation (CCA): Supporting communities in adopting climate-resilient practices to mitigate the impact of changing weather patterns.
Objectives of the Project
1. Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction:
- Employing a multi-sectoral approach to address disaster risks comprehensively.
- Strengthening early warning systems and community-based preparedness mechanisms.
2. Capacity Building:
- Training government officials and communities in disaster preparedness and response.
- Enhancing technical expertise in areas such as geospatial mapping and vulnerability assessment.
3. Community Engagement:
- Promoting climate-smart practices among local communities to adapt to and mitigate climate risks.
- Increasing public awareness about disaster preparedness and response.
4. Infrastructure Improvements:
- Strengthening critical infrastructure to withstand natural disasters.
- Integrating resilient designs in construction projects.
Statements from Officials
- Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena highlighted the significance of the project: “The HP-DRRRP is a flagship initiative aimed at reducing the vulnerability of Himachal Pradesh to natural disasters. It focuses on building capacities for disaster risk management and climate change adaptation at both government and community levels.”
- Additional Secretary Nishant Thakur emphasized the collaborative nature of the project, noting that the partnership with AFD would bring in international expertise and funding to support Himachal’s disaster risk reduction efforts.
Significance of the MoU
The partnership between the Himachal Pradesh Government and AFD signifies a major step towards building a more resilient state. By integrating disaster risk reduction with climate change adaptation, the project aims to safeguard livelihoods, protect infrastructure, and ensure sustainable development in the state.