A two-day State-Level Consultative Workshop on developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Flood and Extreme Heat is being organized by the Department of Women and Child Development (WCD) of Assam, in collaboration with the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) and UNICEF, starting Thursday in Guwahati. This workshop is a significant movement towards embedding child and gender-responsive disaster preparedness within the Assam DRR Roadmap 2030. Attendance includes senior government officials, domain experts, academics, and field practitioners who will review existing flood SOPs and create a dedicated SOP for extreme heat. The workshop aims to be evidence-based, focusing on protecting women and children and reinforcing Anganwadi Centres while incorporating climate-informed strategies. In his keynote address, Mukesh Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary of WCD, emphasized the need to revitalize disaster response approaches, particularly concerning extreme heat challenges. Gauri Shankar Sarma, Director of the Directorate of Women and Child Development, noted the pivotal role of Anganwadi Centres as community support during crises. Madhulika Jonathan, Chief of Field Office for UNICEF Assam and Northeast, stressed child-centric disaster preparedness in response to climate change. The workshop will include sessions on flood dynamics, climate projections, nutrition security, and the effects of extreme heat on early childhood development, combined with collaborative efforts to draft and refine the SOPs. The outcomes aim to shape state policy and operational procedures for disaster readiness and response within the WCD structure.
Disaster Preparedness in Focus as SOP Workshop Begins in Guwahati
