Odisha's Disaster Management Expertise Earns Praise from 11 BRICS Nations
Global delegates laud Odisha's zero-casualty approach, early warning systems, and community-based preparedness at BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group meeting in Puri.
Odisha's internationally recognized disaster management model received widespread appreciation from representatives of 11 BRICS nations during the Second Technical Meeting of the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group in Puri. The conference, centered around five key themes of disaster risk reduction and resilience, brought together delegates to exchange knowledge and best practices in disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response. During the inaugural session, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi highlighted the state's remarkable journey in disaster management. He showcased Odisha's success in handling cyclones, floods, and other natural disasters through timely early-warning systems, large-scale evacuations, and its acclaimed "zero casualty" strategy. Delegates expressed keen interest in Odisha's community-based disaster management framework, grassroots awareness campaigns, and the role played by Anganwadi workers in strengthening preparedness at the village level. The state's integrated command-and-control mechanisms were also highlighted as a model worthy of replication. Participants from the BRICS member nations viewed Odisha's experience as a valuable learning resource, particularly in building resilient communities and minimizing disaster-related losses. Discussions also focused on strengthening international collaboration and adopting best practices from different regions to enhance disaster risk reduction efforts worldwide. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi said Odisha has gained extensive experience in managing diverse disasters across coastal and western regions of the state. He expressed confidence that the BRICS platform would facilitate greater cooperation among member countries in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. A ministerial-level discussion is also scheduled, following which a final framework and recommendations are expected to be released. Odisha takes pride in hosting the first physical meeting of the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group, providing a platform for meaningful knowledge-sharing among participating nations. On the concluding day, the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) will conduct a live demonstration of the state's disaster response capabilities at Ramachandi, showcasing Odisha's preparedness and operational excellence.