What’s in the news?

• The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has sent relief material including blankets, sleeping mats and solar study lamps for the people of Ukraine. 

About NDRF

• The National Disaster Response Force is a specialised, multi-skilled, humanitarian force in India, which has been playing a crucial role in the country’s disaster management and community awareness for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). 

Formation

• The successive natural calamities from 1990 to 2004 led to the enactment of the Disaster Management Act in 2005. The result was the formation of the National Disaster Response Force. This was set up to lay down the plans, policies, and guidelines for disaster management.
• The Disaster Management Act has statutory provisions for the constitution of NDRF for the purpose of specialized response to natural and man-made disasters. 

Structure

• • The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is the parent body of NDRF, which currently consists of 15 battalions from the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Assam Rifles.

• NDMA is the apex body for Disaster Management in India.  It is headed by the Prime Minister of India.

• NDMA is mandated to lay down the policies, plans and guidelines for Disaster Management. 

• With more than 13,000 personnel, the battalions of the NDRF have been equipped to respond to natural as well as man-made disasters. They are also trained to respond during chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) emergencies. 

Roles

• The role of the NDRF is disaster management and community awareness for Disaster Risk Reduction in India.
• The personnel in NDRF are trained in flood rescue, rope rescue, collapsed structure search and rescue, and other activities to support people during any calamities.

Reference:

1. https://newsonair.gov.in/News?title=NDRF-sends-relief-material-to-Ukraine&id=436481