Asian Disaster Preparedness Center has joined hands with the Government of Bihar in India to support its capacity building needs for the recently adopted Bihar Roadmap for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030). The state targets to reduce disaster-related losses of lives by 75 percent by 2030.

With funding and guidance from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, ADPC will be providing Bihar’s government officials with capacity building on mainstreaming disaster risk reduction into development planning with a special focus on the agricultural and health sectors. ADPC will also support the establishment of an institutional disaster risk management resource center in Bihar to address the state’s capacity building and knowledge management needs in disaster risk reduction.

“With this roadmap, we want to reduce the number of people affected by natural hazards and build truly disaster-resilient communities and cities,” said Mr. Vyas Ji, Principal Secretary of the government of Bihar’s Disaster Management Department, at a recent consultation meeting with ADPC and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. “This will be achieved by prioritizing the needs of the communities at risk, establishing meaningful partnerships and becoming inclusive of more voices,” he added.

Located in Eastern India bordering Nepal, the Bihar state is particularly prone to flooding, drought, and cyclonic storms – with occasional fires and hailstorms as well as a risk of seismic events. By 2030, the government wants to halve the number of people affected by disasters and the economic losses caused by natural hazards.

“ADPC stands ready to support the government of Bihar in implementing its roadmap for disaster risk reduction in the coming years. We will be supporting the state in risk-informed decision-making that is critical in building safe and resilient communities across the region,” said Dr. Jingjai Hanchanlash, ADPC’s Executive Director.


Principal Secretary of Bihar’s Disaster Management Department Mr. Vyas Ji, ADPC's Executive Director a.i. Dr. Jingchai Hanchanlash, and Dr. Valerie Bemo from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation discuss the implementation of Bihar Roadmap for Disaster Risk Reduction.


“There is a substantial need for more specific data to support early warning mechanisms in Bihar state,” stated Mr. Vyas Ji.