In anticipation of potential floods, Assam has introduced the Disaster Reporting and Information Management System (DRIMS), a digital platform aimed at facilitating online reporting of damages incurred during various disasters. Developed by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) in collaboration with Unicef, DRIMS enables accurate reporting and assessment of damages caused by disasters, expediting aid disbursal to affected individuals.
The platform efficiently captures critical impact indicators, facilitating the rapid delivery of relief and rehabilitation grants to beneficiaries. It also tracks damages to crops, loss of livestock, and other essential factors, accelerating post-disaster restoration efforts.
Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, after launching DRIMS, also unveiled the handbook on financial assistance during disasters. He inaugurated a state-level training program on the Incident Response System conducted by the National Institute of Disaster Management. Kota emphasized that the disaster assistance handbook would empower people to understand their entitlements during and after disasters, facilitating greater demand and access to assistance, particularly for vulnerable groups like children and women in affected communities.
Applauding the efforts of ASDMA in disaster mitigation and response, Kota noted Assam’s vulnerability to multiple disasters and hailed the consolidation of information on a single online platform as a significant step forward. Meanwhile, Unicef India’s deputy representative for programs, Arjan De Wagt, commended DRIMS for its efficient data verification and compilation processes, which save valuable time for field workers on the ground.
Madhulika Jonathan, Unicef India’s chief of field office for Assam and Northeast states, lauded DRIMS as a groundbreaking digital solution that sets a higher standard for disaster management in India. With its foundation on the flood reporting information system, DRIMS represents a significant advancement in disaster preparedness and response capabilities, ensuring more efficient and effective aid delivery to those in need during times of crisis.