BHUBANESWAR: The State Government on Saturday announced special provisions for women, children and persons with disabilities to face natural calamities.Addressing a function on Orissa disaster preparedness day to mark the 12th anniversary of super cyclone, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said that to ensure total accessibility for persons with disabilities, the Orissa State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) in collaboration with Handicap International has taken up structural modifications in 28 multipurpose cyclone shelters with provisions of ramps and specially-designed facilities for them.Naveen said aids and appliances had been distributed among persons with disabilities in shelter villages with support from Handicap International. At least, one person with disability has been nominated as member of the cyclone shelter management and maintenance committee of each cyclone shelter, he said.This year’s theme for observance is, “Mainstreaming persons with disabilities in disaster risk reduction practices”. The State Government has set up an objective to implement the accessibility features in all proposed cyclone and flood shelters, he said.The Chief Minister said that to further supplement efforts for creation of disaster resilient infrastructure, 150 multipurpose cyclone shelters under the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) and Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project are being constructed.He said the OSDMA has also been instructed to construct a few more flood shelters at strategic locations. So far more than 200 multipurpose cyclone shelters and 50 flood shelters have been constructed.Besides, disaster risk reduction (DRR) programme under UNDP assistance is being implemented in Ganjam, Kendrapara and Balangir districts and in three urban areas - Bhubaneswar, Angul and Talcher. Besides setting up 10 units of Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), the State Government has strengthened 100 fire stations to act as a multi-hazard response force at grassroots level.The Chief Minister felicitated 30 persons and organisations for their work during the recent floods. A two- minute silence was observed in memory of for the super cyclone victims. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Surya Narayan Patro administered an oath to the officials to work sincerely and selflessly during any natural calamity.Besides, the Chief Minister signed on a signature campaign board for awareness on disaster reduction. An exhibition was also organised on the issue of disaster management. Chief Minister Bijay Kumar Patnaik and senior officials attended.
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