Andhra Pradesh, UNICEF Join Hands to Strengthen Disaster Preparedness

The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has stressed the need for stronger public participation and coordinated efforts among government departments to improve disaster preparedness. Executive Director Kausar Bano made the case at a roundtable workshop jointly organised by APSDMA and UNICEF on Tuesday under the theme ‘Resilience Begins at Home’, marking the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Kausar Bano said the workshop aimed to strengthen public understanding of disaster risks and prepare people to respond effectively through awareness campaigns and training programmes. She emphasised that disaster management cannot remain the responsibility of government departments alone, as community participation is essential to reducing casualties and property damage during emergencies.

She called for better coordination among government departments to ensure a timely and effective response when disasters strike. Equipping people with the knowledge and skills to respond to emergencies can improve preparedness at the grassroots level and help communities manage risks more effectively, she said.

The workshop brought together representatives from government departments and voluntary organisations to discuss disaster preparedness, risk prevention, public awareness and community resilience. Participants highlighted the importance of extending preparedness measures beyond official response systems to households, schools and local communities, where timely action can make a significant difference during emergencies.

Representatives from various departments presented details of the initiatives they have undertaken to improve disaster readiness and encourage greater public participation. They also outlined their future action plans, focusing on strengthening preparedness and building the capacity of communities to respond to potential hazards.

The discussions emphasised the need for government agencies, educational institutions, youth groups and voluntary organisations to work together to build a stronger culture of disaster awareness. Coordinated efforts at the local level were identified as an important step towards reducing the impact of disasters and protecting vulnerable communities.

Officials from various government departments, disaster response agencies, youth organisations and voluntary organisations attended the workshop, sharing their perspectives on strengthening disaster preparedness and improving community resilience.