IAG Odisha observes World Humanitarian Day-2015 in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, Aug 20: IAG Odisha commemorated the World humanitarian day in joint collaboration with Action Aid and IGSSS on Wednesday in Bhubaneswar. The event was attended by wide array of individuals including Govt. officials, international Humanitarian Organsiations, academicians, students, village disaster management committee members and NGO’s of different districts.

The event was inaugurated by Dr. Chakradhar Panda Honorary Secretary of IRCS Odisha State Branch & Chairperson of IAG Odisha, Sri. Debabrat Patra Regional Manager Action Aid & Vice-chairperson IAG Odisha, Dr.Kamal Lochan Mishra- Chief General Manager- Odisha State Disaster Management Authority and Sri. Animesh Prakash, Programme Officer of Oxfam India were present as the key panel members.

During the event Dr. Chakradhar Panda extended a warm welcome to the participants and by expressing his views on World Humanitarian Day Dr. Panda said- this is the day to celebrate our common humanity and to honor the heroic aid workers who rush bravely to help people in need. We honour their memory by celebrating this occasion, who continue to provide aid, no matter the risks and sacrifices, too often the world takes their service for granted.

During the session Sj. Debabrat Patra said the World Humanitarian Day reminds us that no-one should ever fail to honor their heroism. And by giving few examples of Disaster risk reduction Sri Patra urged we must continue to improve and innovate to makedisaster preparedness, mitigation, responseand recovery more effective and accountable.

By praising the efforts of Humanitarian Workers of Odisha Dr. Kamal Lochan Mishra stressed that members of Govt. and Civil society organizations of Odisha have made significant contributions in most of the recent disasters, which has been now praised in national and international platforms, and we have contributed a lot for this, hence we need to reassess our strategies for a better disaster resilient Odisha.

During the event Dr. S.C Sahu Director- Indian Metrological Society, and Sri Ranjan Panda convener Combat Climate Change Network India expressed their views on a special session on Heat Wave.

Ms. Monalisa Bhanja from LWSI, Bharati Chakra of Help Age India, Santaram Nanda of Save the children, Ms. Inakhi Patra of CASA, Mr. Goutama Arya Bhusan of Practical Action, Mr.V.N Rao of Lepra Society, Mr. Sukant Sahoo of Plan India, and Many eminent personalities of Civil Society, Govt. and IAG Members participated and expressed their views and suggestions during the event. The event was coordinated by Mr. Manoranjan Behera, coordinator of IAG Odisha and ended with a vote of thanks by Sri.Basant Ku. Panigrahi of IGSSS.