Gandhinagar, July 13 (IANS) Gujarat has trained over 4,000 young volunteers under the first phase of the ‘Yuva Aapda Mitra’ Scheme, moving towards its target of creating a trained community-based disaster response force across 17 districts, with women expected to account for half of all participants.

According to the Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA), the scheme aims to strengthen the state’s capacity to respond to natural and human-made disasters by preparing local volunteers to carry out immediate rescue and relief work before specialised response teams reach affected areas.

The initiative, launched by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in 2016 with 200 volunteers in Bharuch district, has expanded across Gujarat under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

Under the current phase of the Yuva Aapda Mitra Scheme, 4,526 volunteers have completed training against a target of 11,850 volunteers drawn from the National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), My Bharat (MYB) and Bharat Scouts and Guides (BS&G) in 17 districts.

The GSDMA said the scheme has set a specific target of achieving 50 per cent participation by women to strengthen their role in disaster risk management.

Aapda Mitras are local volunteers aged between 18 and 40 who are physically and mentally fit to undertake immediate rescue operations during emergencies.

Under an earlier phase, titled the ‘Upscaling of Aapda Mitra Scheme’, 5,500 volunteers from the same 17 districts received 12 days of training through the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).

Under the present scheme, volunteers undergo seven days of training conducted by the SDRF and master trainers in the first phase, followed by advanced training through the Sardar Patel Institute of Public Administration (SPIPA) in the second phase.

The programme covers Ahmedabad, Amreli, Anand, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Kheda, Kutch, Morbi, Narmada, Navsari, Porbandar, Rajkot, Surat, Tapi, Vadodara and Valsad districts.

To support rescue operations, every trained volunteer is provided with an Emergency Responder Kit worth Rs 10,000 containing 15 essential items, including a life jacket, solar torch, first-aid kit, helmet and a 50-metre defence-grade rescue rope.

District authorities also maintain an Emergency Equipment Reserve Resource (EERR) kit valued at Rs 19 lakh for large-scale emergency operations.

The equipment includes an inflatable rescue boat, chainsaw, satellite GPS and walkie-talkies. Eligibility criteria require applicants to be residents of the concerned district and to have passed at least Class 7.

The prescribed age is between 18 and 40 years, although age relaxation is available for ex-servicemen, retired medical professionals and civil engineers.

On successful completion of the training, volunteers receive a certificate, an identity card and insurance cover of Rs five lakh for three years as part of the scheme’s social security provisions.

The GSDMA noted that Aapda Mitras from Bharuch played an active role alongside the district administration during the COVID-19 pandemic and the severe floods of 2020, assisting in relief and public service efforts.

“District Emergency Operation Centres (DEOCs) maintain updated contact lists of all trained Aapda Mitras and mobilise them whenever emergencies occur. Citizens and local authorities can also approach the DEOC to seek immediate assistance from trained volunteers during disasters,” officials added.

–IANS

mys/dpb