Assam explores multi-hazard risk financing strategies to strengthen disaster preparedness and mitigation

Guwahati (Assam) [India], September 27 : A meeting for the 'Multi-Hazard Risk Financing Study,' commissioned under the Assam Integrated River Basin Management Program (AIRBMP), was held on Friday at Janata Bhawan in Assam's Guwahati, according to a release.
Virendra Mittal, project officer of AIRBMP, emphasized the importance of the study in developing and implementing cost-effective and sustainable solutions for disaster risk mitigation. The study aims to provide a practical approach along with a comprehensive overview of disaster risk reduction, fiscal risk, budget management, public finance, private sector collaboration, and social safeguards in Assam.
The study will focus on several key components, including the development of a multi-hazard risk profile and a Catastrophic (CAT) Risk Model for Assam, a summary of 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, and 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.
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.
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.