Question : Training of Volunteers for Disaster Preparedness

(a) whether the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) continues to train volunteers across the country on disaster preparedness;

(b) if so, the total number of volunteers trained by NDRF during the last five years, State-wise;

(c) the description of the scope of operation of NDRF and the details of the key deployment areas in the last one year;

(d) whether the Government is planning to expand the NDRF’s reach and increase the number of volunteers; and

(e) if so, the details thereof along with the planned roadmap for the same?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) and (b): Yes, Sir. The State wise detail of Community Awareness programme conducted by NDRF is attached at Annexure-I. Detail of capacity building and disaster preparedness training conducted by NDRF for various stakeholders is attached at Annexure-II.
(c): The mandate of NDRF is to provide specialist response during disasters and proactive deployment in impending disaster situations. NDRF imparts basic and operational level training to State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Police and other stakeholders like Civil Defence, Home Guard, etc. It engages for community capacity development wherein communities and school children are trained and prepared to deal with disasters as first
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L.S.US.Q NO. 100 FOR 02.02.2021
responder and also conducts capacity building and training of volunteers like Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS) etc. NDRF provides assistance to civil authorities in distribution of relief material during/after disaster, and co-ordination with other agencies engaged in rescue/relief work. NDRF conducts as well as participates in Mock Exercises to enhance coordination among various Stakeholders. During the year 2020, NDRF responded to various disaster situations, as under-

• Covid-19 response and awareness across the country
• Floods in various States
• Cyclones- Amphan, Nisarga, Nivar & Burevi
• Boat Capsize Incidents
• Building Collapse Incidents
• Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Incidents
• Landslide
• Bore-well Incident
• Drowning Cases across the country
• Deployment during Important National Festivals like – Republic Day, Independence Day, Parliament Session.
• Deployment during large congregation like – Chhat Puja & Kartic Puja in various states, Defence Expo etc.
• Dzukou Valley Forest Fire in Nagaland-Manipur border.

(d) and (e): In addition to existing 12 NDRF Bns, Central Government has approved raising of 04 additional NDRF Bns one each to be stationed in the State of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir & Ladakh and Delhi-NCR. With the operationalisation of these new battalions, the presence of NDRF will be increased. Further, strengthening and augmenting the existing NDRF battalions is a continuous process.
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