ASDMA launches “Great Assam School Shakeout Programme 2025” to strengthen school safety and disaster preparedness
Rongili Barta: The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), in collaboration with the Department of School Education and UNICEF Assam, launched the Great Assam School Shakeout Programme (GASSP) in Guwahati, on the occasion of “International Shakeout Day” today. The initiative marks a major step towards institutionalizing school safety and disaster preparedness across the State, in alignment with the National School Safety Policy (NDMA, 2016) and the Assam DRR Roadmap 2030.
The second batch of the two days’ state level training of trainers on Social and Behaviour Change for DRR was started today after launching of the GASSP at the same venue which was attended by the Field Officers of 16 nos. of districts along with the Project Officer (DMs) of 16-line departments of the Govt. of Assam.
The programme was inaugurated by Shri Keshab Mahanta, Minister for Revenue & Disaster Management etc. Department, GoA, who emphasized on the importance of building a culture of safety among schoolchildren and teachers. Moreover, he highlighted the Earthquakes happened in 1897 and 1950, which had comparatively low impact. However, if the same happens today, it will be devastating for all. So, this special drive would help to increase the awareness among school students as the catalyst for transferring knowledge at home, in their village and others.
In her welcome address, Smt. Meenakshi Das Nath, ACS, Secretary, Revenue & DM Department and Addl. CEO, ASDMA, underscored the government’s focus on ensuring safe learning environments by integrating disaster risk reduction measures in the education sector.
Special Addresses were delivered by Smti. Anuja Bhuyan, ACS, Joint Secretary, Department of School Education emphasised that it is essential to make the culture of safety and to make it sustainable with collaborative support from all the stakeholders.
Dr. Madhulika Jonathan, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Assam & Northeast, who reaffirmed UNICEF’s continued partnership with ASDMA to promote child-centred risk reduction and behavioural change for resilience.
During the launch, animation videos on various disaster preparedness and IEC booklets on earthquake and fire safety were unveiled, and volunteer kits were handed over to DDMA representatives to support the field-level implementation of GASSP on October 29, 2025.
Under GASSP, 1,936 schools across 35 districts, covering over seven lakh students, will conduct earthquake and fire evacuation mock drills on 29 October 2025, commemorating the Great Assam Earthquake of 1950 and International ShakeOut Day. The drills will be coordinated by DDMAs, engaging School Disaster Management Committees, Focal Point Teachers, and volunteers from Aapda Mitra, CQRT, DDRF, Civil Defence, and Red Cross.
The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Shri Alakananda Medhi, ACS, Deputy Secretary & State Project Coordinator, ASDMA and attended by all DDMAs in online mode along with the senior officials of the Govt. of Assam, UNICEF and ASDMA.