India Contributes US$1 Million To Disaster Preparedness Fund

BANGKOK, Dec 27 (Bernama) -- Marking the 10th year anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami that killed more than 230,000 people, the Indian government contributed US$1 million to a trust fund to prepare for natural disasters in the region. The contribution to the ESCAP Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Tsunami, Disaster and Climate Preparedness in Indian Ocean and Southeast Asian Countries was announced by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Friday. In a statement, ESCAP said the Asia-Pacific region remains highly vulnerable to coastal hazards such as tsunamis, tropical storms and storm surges. The contribution from the government of India will boost ESCAP's efforts to strengthen early warning systems via regional and South-South cooperation, to ensure that vulnerable communities receive timely warning that is required to save lives and livelihoods in disasters. “ESCAP is extremely pleased to partner with the government of India to further strengthen regional early warning systems and build resilience to natural disasters,” said Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP. “The Trust Fund has a strong record in promoting innovative solutions based on a regional approach, and the contribution from the government of India will give these efforts a major boost,” she said. India is a Regional Service Provider for the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (IOTWS), which became operational in 2011, and also an active member of the ESCAP/World Meteorological Organization Panel on Tropical Cyclones. Sushma Swaraj, Minister of External Affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs, India said India joins the international community in its efforts to prepare for any such natural calamity in the future by establishing effective early warning systems. Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Ambassador of India to Thailand and Permanent Representative to ESCAP added, “The Indian Ocean Tsunami was devastating in its impact on coastal communities in several countries in the Asia-Pacific region. He said India has made great strides to strengthen itsmulti-hazard early warning system and has extended this facility to cover the region. Created in 2005 following the devastation caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, the Trust Fund supports activities that build resilience via strengthened early warning systems for coastal hazards. -- BERNAMA