Port Blair, Oct 17: A seminar on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Management (HADR) was held at Likabali Auditorium in Brichgunj Military Station recently. The seminar shed light on the devastation during the Tsunami of2004 which struck A&N Islands, environment mapping and risk assessment, the concept of HADR andwarning – response systems. A brief on National perspective and architecture was also given alongwith vital role of the Armed Forces in synergy with Global and Regional organisations. Besides, aspects of response in coordination with civil administration in Andaman and Nicobar Island were discussed. A presentation was made on the HADR capabilities by Andaman and Nicobar Command and future perspective on HADR in the ever changing geo political climate was also discussed.
Speakers having firsthand experience and directly dealing with various aspects of HADR participated in the seminar. They included Mr Ashok Sharma of SDMA, Commodore Vijesh Kumar Garg, VSM who was at INS Utkrosh at Port Blair during 2004 Tsunami and Brigadier Vinod Dutta from Headquarters integrated Defence Staff (Ministry of Defence). The seminar provided valuable insights on disaster relief operations and facilitated deliberations among serving personnel of the armed Forces and civilian representatives of Andaman and Nicobar Administration.
