Lucknow– In a landmark move towards strengthening disaster preparedness in Uttar Pradesh, a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) worth Rs 19.99 crore was signed between the Relief Commissioner’s Office and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The agreement aims to enhance disaster risk reduction (DRR) efforts across all 75 districts of the state over the next three years.
Angela Lusigi, UNDP India’s Resident Representative, met with the Chief Minister during the event and lauded the state’s proactive approach to disaster management. She assured full technical cooperation from UNDP to ensure successful implementation of the initiative.
The MoA outlines a comprehensive strategy to improve institutional capacity, integrate cutting-edge technology, and develop a multi-tiered disaster management system based on global standards. Under the plan, district- and department-level DRR plans will be created, with risk assessments and vulnerability mapping in 20 major urban centers. Special urban disaster management strategies will also be formulated to cater to city-specific needs.
Key components of the agreement include:
- Development of disaster management plans for all 75 districts and 15 state departments
- Creation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for 10 departments
- Risk and vulnerability assessments in 20 key urban areas
- Deployment of ICT tools, early warning systems, and a robust disaster information system
- Capacity building through training, workshops, and technical integration
- Establishment of a dedicated Project Management Unit (PMU) at the Relief Commissioner’s Office
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the importance of disaster risk reduction in today’s governance priorities. “Preparedness, training, and technical advancement are critical to mitigating the impact of disasters,” he said. “This partnership will bring global disaster management standards to Uttar Pradesh and enable the administration to take timely, scientific decisions.”
He emphasized that this initiative will lead to a more coordinated and efficient disaster response system, ultimately helping safeguard lives, property, and infrastructure in the state.
Angela Lusigi praised the visionary leadership of the Uttar Pradesh government and said the state’s determination and speed of action will be instrumental in the success of this program. She confirmed that UNDP will support the state in policy formulation, capacity enhancement, planning, and grassroots-level implementation.
The Rs 19.99 crore allocated by the Uttar Pradesh government for this three-year program will be disbursed in phases. Implementation will be guided by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) recommendations, which have authorized UNDP to offer technical assistance in this domain.
With this initiative, Uttar Pradesh is poised to become one of India’s leading states in disaster risk reduction and climate resilience.
