Guwahati Hosts Meeting on Multi-Hazard Risk Financing Study for Assam
A meeting for the ‘Multi-Hazard Risk Financing Study,’ commissioned under the Assam Integrated River Basin Management Program (AIRBMP), was held at Janata Bhawan in Guwahati, Assam. The study aims to develop cost-effective and sustainable solutions for disaster risk mitigation.
Key Components of the Study
Virendra Mittal, project officer of AIRBMP, highlighted the importance of the study in providing a practical approach to disaster risk reduction, fiscal risk, budget management, public finance, private sector collaboration, and social safeguards in Assam. The study will focus on:
- Developing a multi-hazard risk profile and a Catastrophic (CAT) Risk Model for Assam
- Summarizing public financial management strategies
- Outlining fund requirements before, during, and after disasters
- Devising an implementation strategy between the Ministry of Finance and state/district/revenue circles
- Revamping the fund disbursement system for disaster mitigation, response, and recovery
The study will require robust data collection from various departments on disaster-related damages, disaster management plans, and Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) studies.
LACHIT Platform
Another focus of the meeting was the ‘Scoping Analysis & Development of the Framework for the Learning & Collaboration Harnessing Information Technology (LACHIT) Platform.’ ASDMA, with technical support from UNICEF, is conducting a scoping and feasibility analysis to create a digital blueprint for an integrated, interoperable technology platform for disaster risk reduction in Assam. The proposed platform will serve as a comprehensive technology solution, providing a single-window platform for stakeholders to address various needs related to reporting, monitoring, capacity development, coordination, and decision support.
Key Participants
During the meeting, the Principal Secretary of the Revenue & Disaster Management Department and CEO of ASDMA, Gyanendra Tripathi, IAS, engaged with officials from different departments, discussing the micro-services required by each department for integration into the LACHIT platform. Meenakshi Das Nath, ACS, Additional CEO of ASDMA, highlighted the need for multiple language options to access the proposed platform. Also present at the meeting were Gitanjali Bhattacharyya, IAS, Secretary, Revenue & Disaster Management; Meenakshi Das Nath, ACS, Secretary, Revenue & Disaster Management; Alakananda Medhi, ACS, SPC, ASDMA; along with other GoA officials, experts, and consultants from ASDMA.
Doubts Revealed
Guwahati -: Guwahati is a big city in the state of Assam, which is in the northeastern part of India.
Multi-Hazard Risk Financing Study -: This is a study to find ways to pay for and manage risks from different types of disasters, like floods or earthquakes.
Assam Integrated River Basin Management Program -: This is a program to manage the rivers in Assam better, so they don’t cause problems like floods.
Virendra Mittal -: Virendra Mittal is a person who is important in this meeting. He talked about how the study can help reduce disaster risks.
disaster risk mitigation -: This means finding ways to reduce the damage and problems caused by disasters like floods or earthquakes.
multi-hazard risk profile -: This is a report that shows all the different types of disasters that could happen in Assam.
Catastrophic Risk Model -: This is a special plan to understand and prepare for very big disasters.
public financial management -: This means how the government handles money, especially for dealing with disasters.
LACHIT platform -: LACHIT is a digital tool to help reduce disaster risks, supported by UNICEF.
UNICEF -: UNICEF is an organization that helps children and families around the world.
Gyanendra Tripathi -: Gyanendra Tripathi is another important person who was at the meeting.
Meenakshi Das Nath -: Meenakshi Das Nath is also an important person who participated in the meeting.