Govind Mohan Launches ‘Yuva Apada Mitra Scheme’ to Build Disaster Resilience with 2.37 Lakh Youth Volunteers

As part of this initiative, the Home Secretary launched the ‘Yuva Apada Mitra Scheme,’ aimed at empowering youth as the first line of defence in disaster response.

Union Home Secretary Shri Govind Mohan presided over the 20th Formation Day of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in New Delhi, emphasizing the government’s commitment to creating a disaster-resilient India under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Home Minister Shri Amit Shah. As part of this initiative, the Home Secretary launched the ‘Yuva Apada Mitra Scheme,’ aimed at empowering youth as the first line of defence in disaster response.

The scheme is designed to recruit and train 2,37,326 youth volunteers from 315 districts across 28 states, sourced from organizations such as the National Cadet Corps (NCC), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), Bharat Scouts & Guides (BS&G), and the National Service Scheme (NSS). With an investment of Rs. 469.53 crore, the initiative will also include training 1,300 trainers as part of the Up-scaling of the Aapda Mitra Scheme (UAMS), equipping these young volunteers with the skills needed for effective disaster response.

Themed “Empowering Communities for Disaster Risk Reduction through Awareness for Behavioral Change,” the Formation Day event underscored the importance of community engagement and proactive disaster management. Home Secretary Mohan also introduced seven new disaster management resources, including guidelines for Disaster Management Exercises (DMEx), International Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), and the operation of Emergency Operation Centers (EOC), among others.

Highlighting the urgency of disaster preparedness in vulnerable areas, the Home Secretary encouraged states in the Himalayan and North Eastern Regions (NER) to advance their projects on Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) mitigation in line with the National GLOF Program. Through these initiatives, NDMA aims to foster a proactive and resilient approach to disaster management nationwide, reinforcing community involvement and preparedness.