Can Youth, Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority undertake third phase of Community First Responder programme

DIMAPUR — The third phase of the Community First Responder (CFR) Training Programme, organised by Can Youth in collaboration with the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), commenced on July 7 at CPO Hall, Chümoukedima, and will continue until July 12.

According to an update delivering the keynote address, Jenpu Rhakho Rongmei, founder and chief functionary of Can Youth, highlighted the importance of disaster preparedness and community responsibility, emphasising that while disasters are sometimes unavoidable, human actions such as improper waste disposal and poor drainage management often worsen disaster risks.

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He shared his personal experience as a disaster victim, underscoring the need for collective responsibility rather than complete reliance on the government. He reminded participants that the goal of such training is not necessarily to become experts but to learn practical skills and take action within their communities.

The special guest, Lhousituo Khro, Chairman of Chümoukedima Town Council, acknowledged that the state is currently experiencing various forms of disasters, making the training timely and significant, and stressed that the tendency to blame the government for environmental problems often overshadows individual and community responsibilities.

He urged participants to reflect on their own actions, such as improper waste disposal and blocked drainage, which contribute to disaster vulnerability. He expressed hope that government schemes for better infrastructure will gradually be implemented but highlighted the need for citizen participation in protecting the environment.

Guest of honour, Rendemo Shitio, District Nodal Officer, District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Chümoukedima, in his exhortation, emphasised that while natural calamities are beyond human control, disasters can be mitigated through proactive preparation and resilience.

Citing the recent floods affecting Dimapur, he underscored the urgent need for future-ready infrastructure and community-based disaster preparedness. He explained that disasters can be broadly categorised into two types: natural disasters and man-made disasters.

He also highlighted the importance of building resilient communities as a way forward to reduce disaster impacts, noting that such training plays a crucial role in equipping communities for future safety and readiness. He encouraged participants to share the knowledge gained with their families and communities and to actively apply what they learn for better disaster risk reduction.

Leading the second session, Jenpu focused on the role of community first responders. Key takeaways included the importance of identifying and contacting appropriate authorities during emergencies.

In the third session, led by Zhove Lohe, secretary and director of Can Youth, the concept of disaster management was introduced. He categorised disasters into five main types, namely, water/flood disaster, geological disaster, biological disaster, chemical and industrial disaster, and accident-related disaster, and highlighted the significance of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) in coordinating disaster response and planning.