New Delhi: Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister P K Mishra has emphasised the need for a holistic approach to disaster risk reduction, stronger institutional capacity and sustained investment in disaster preparedness and mitigation. Addressing a meeting on Disaster Preparedness in New Delhi today, Mr Mishra said disaster risks must be assessed holistically, moving beyond departmental silos and strengthening coordination among different institutions.
Referring to India’s initiatives under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr Mishra said disaster risk reduction has become an important component of national development policy. He highlighted the Prime Minister’s 10-point agenda of 2016 and the amendments to the Disaster Management Act in 2025, which have further strengthened the institutional framework. Mr Mishra said that India has consistently supported stronger international cooperation on disaster risk reduction. During its G20 presidency in 2023, India initiated the G20 working group on disaster risk reduction. He said India is committed to supporting the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, and it will contribute actively to shaping the framework that follows Sendai. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 is a global agreement adopted by the UN to reduce disaster risk and losses.
[AIR News]