Nagaland Governor seeks stronger Red Cross network for remote villages

Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav has asked for the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) to build a stronger presence across the state's districts, so that people in remote villages get help during disasters as quickly as those living in towns.

Yadav, who is president of the IRCS Nagaland State Branch, was speaking on Saturday, October 31, at a "Dinner With a Purpose" fundraising programme organised by the branch at the Golden Jubilee Hall of the Cathedral in Kohima. His remarks were shared in a press release from the Lok Bhavan PRO and reported by The Morung Express, Nagaland Tribune and Eastern Mirror.

Terrain makes preparedness essential

The Governor pointed to Nagaland's hilly terrain, its scattered settlements and its exposure to landslides, floods and fires. A good humanitarian response, he said, depends not only on money and supplies but also on being prepared, being present on the ground and being able to move fast.

"People in remote villages should have the same opportunity to receive timely humanitarian assistance as those in urban centres," Yadav said.

What he asked for

Yadav set out several priorities for the society in the state:

• District branches: stronger District Red Cross Branches with active, trained volunteers, a clear picture of local risks, basic emergency stock and close coordination with district administrations.
• Training: regular volunteer training in first aid, disaster preparedness, emergency response and blood donation drives.
• Funds: contributions to the Humanitarian Corpus Fund for steady long-term support, and a stronger Emergency Relief Fund so that relief materials, first aid and medical help reach affected families without delay.
• Blood donation: a wider culture of voluntary donation through tie-ups with hospitals, schools and colleges, youth groups and civil society. Blood cannot be manufactured and can only come from donors, he noted.

He appealed to patrons, institutions, companies and individual well-wishers to donate generously, and called for partnerships with the Health and Family Welfare Department, disaster management authorities, hospitals and churches so that the Red Cross becomes a permanent presence in communities. He also urged more young people to join as volunteers.

Chief Minister backs the appeal

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who is vice-president of the state branch, called the fundraiser a welcome step and asked people to support the society. He recalled that the branch was set up in 1982 and said it had consistently been at the forefront of relief work during natural calamities in Nagaland.

Rio also credited Health and Family Welfare Minister P. Paiwang Konyak, chairman of the state branch, for encouraging people to come forward. The amount raised at the event was not reported.