Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has called for the expansion of the Community First Responders (CFR) programme to every district, village, and community in the state to strengthen disaster preparedness and community resilience.
Speaking at the 39th annual general meeting of the Indian Red Cross Society Nagaland State Branch (IRCSN) in Kohima, Rio lauded the society for its unwavering humanitarian service. He highlighted the society’s contributions in disaster response, voluntary blood donation drives, first aid training, health awareness campaigns, youth engagement programmes, and assistance to vulnerable communities.
Rio commended the CFR training programme jointly implemented by the IRCSN and the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), citing its success in recent landslides and flash floods in Mon district. He urged further expansion of the programme, which has already been implemented across all 12 districts, to benefit every community.
Nagaland Governor and IRCSN President Nand Kishore Yadav also commended the State Branch for its continued humanitarian service and called for stronger disaster preparedness to address emerging challenges. He appreciated the organisation’s work in disaster response, first aid, health awareness, voluntary blood donation, youth engagement, and community welfare.
The programme began with an opening prayer by Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) youth secretary Rev. N. Suhuto Chishi, followed by an introductory address by NSDMA joint chief executive officer and IRCSN managing committee member Dr. Johnny K. Ruangmei. IRCSN general secretary Akhale V. Khamo presented the annual report, and the programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. R. Rose Chakhesang.
