French dev agency inks disaster reduction pact with Himachal

Shimla : Himachal Pradesh tiday here signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the French Development Agency (AFD) to implement the Himachal Pradesh-Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness Project (HP-DRRRP). The agreement was signed in the presence of Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena.

The MoU was signed by Additional Secretary and Project Director, PMU Nishant Thakur on behalf of Government of Himachal Pradesh and Deputy Director for India Camille Severac Deputy Director for India ,Agence Francaise Francaise de Development(AFD) in the presence of Anshula Menon Portfoilio Manager AFD.

The Chief Secretary said ,”The HP-DRRRP was a flagship initiative of the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA), aimed at reducing the vulnerability of the hill state to natural disasters.”

“With an external bilateral funding of 100 million Euros from AFD. This Project would focus on strengthening Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) capacities of the government and communities through a multi-sector and integrated approach.”

The pact focuses on developing early warning systems for natural hazards, flood forecasting. Ways to improve fire mitigation. The project includes implementing lans,ide  mitigation measures in the Himalayan province and promoting climate-resilient infrastructure.