Odisha Launches State-Level Workshop to Train Mission Shakti SHGs in Disaster Management

Bhubaneswar: Mission Shakti, in partnership with the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), has inaugurated a pivotal workshop titled “Training of Mission Shakti SHGs on Disaster Management” at Mission Shakti Bhawan, Bhubaneswar. This initiative aims to empower women Self-Help Group (SHG) members with crucial disaster preparedness skills.

The workshop, chaired by Sumitra Pattanaik, Additional Secretary to the Government of Odisha, underscores the importance of equipping women with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective disaster management and response. It marks the beginning of a comprehensive training program set to be rolled out across 14 cyclone-prone districts of Odisha, targeting 1.81 lakh SHG members at the Gram Panchayat and ward levels.

The training will follow a cascading model, where 716 women from SHGs, Gram Panchayat Level Federations (GPLFs), and Block Level Federations (BLFs) will be trained as “Trainers” at the state level. These trainers will then deliver disaster preparedness training to selected SHG members at the grassroots level. The program’s success will be further supported by 358 BLF leaders, who will serve as “Training Supervisors” to oversee and ensure effective implementation.

During the workshop, Mission Shakti District Programme Coordinators (DPCs), District Project Managers (DPMs), Block Programme Coordinators (BPCs), and Block Project Managers (BPMs) were also trained on the implementation and management of this initiative. These field functionaries will be crucial in disseminating disaster management knowledge throughout their communities.