Gujarat Trains 4,526 Youth Volunteers for Disaster Response

GANDHINAGAR : As Gujarat braces for increasingly frequent floods, cyclones and other natural disasters, the state government has accelerated its disaster preparedness drive by training 4,526 youth volunteers under the Gujarat Yuva Aapda Mitra Scheme. The initiative is designed to create a strong community-based emergency response network capable of reaching affected areas before specialised rescue teams arrive.

The Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA) said the programme is being implemented in 17 districts, with a target of training 11,850 volunteers from organisations including the National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), My Bharat (MYB) and Bharat Scouts and Guides (BS&G). The first phase has already produced 4,526 trained volunteers.

A key feature of the programme is its focus on women. The government aims to ensure that 50% of the trained volunteers are women, strengthening female participation in disaster risk management and community resilience.

The Aapda Mitra initiative was launched by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in 2016 with just 200 volunteers in Bharuch. Under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the programme has expanded into a statewide network that supports disaster response in both urban and rural areas.

“The Yuva Aapda Mitra Scheme is creating a trained community force that can provide immediate assistance during disasters and support official rescue teams,” GSDMA officials said.

Eligible volunteers are aged between 18 and 40 years, are physically and mentally fit, and have passed at least Class VII. Special age relaxation has been provided for ex-servicemen, retired medical professionals and civil engineers.

Training includes seven days of basic instruction by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and master trainers, followed by advanced training at the Sardar Patel Institute of Public Administration (SPIPA).

To improve field readiness, every volunteer receives an Emergency Responder Kit worth around ₹10,000, containing 15 rescue essentials, including a life jacket, first-aid kit, helmet, solar torch and a 50-metre defence-grade rescue rope.

Each participating district also maintains an Emergency Equipment Reserve Resource (EERR) kit worth nearly ₹19 lakh, equipped with inflatable rescue boats, chain saws, satellite GPS devices and walkie-talkies for large-scale emergencies.

“The contribution of Aapda Mitras during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 floods in Bharuch proved the importance of trained community volunteers,” GSDMA noted.

All trained volunteers receive an identity card, a training certificate and ₹5 lakh social security insurance valid for three years. District Emergency Operation Centres (DEOCs) maintain updated databases, enabling authorities to mobilise volunteers immediately during any disaster, ensuring faster rescue and relief operations across Gujarat.