Photo Courtesy: nagalandpost
Kohima: Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav and Chief Minister Neiphu Rio gathered at Lok Bhavan in Kohima this Wednesday to demand a stronger humanitarian push. The pair addressed the 39th Annual General Meeting of the Indian Red Cross Society, Nagaland State Branch. They set their sights on disaster resilience. The state sits in a high seismic zone. It faces constant threats from earthquakes and landslides.
Governor Yadav lauded the Society as a symbol of compassion for over a century. He praised the organization for its work in health awareness, first aid, and youth engagement. However, he warned that climate change and public health emergencies require more action. He urged the branch to sharpen its focus on voluntary blood donation and expanded first aid training.
Chief Minister Rio highlighted a successful collaboration between the Red Cross and the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority. This partnership created the Community First Responders training programme. It now operates across all twelve districts of Nagaland. Rio wants more. He called for the program to reach every village in the state to ensure locals can save lives before professional help arrives. He stated, "The Community First Responders initiative is creating a network of trained volunteers capable of providing immediate assistance during emergencies, thereby saving lives and reducing the impact of disasters before professional rescue teams arrive."
Dr. Johnny K. Ruangmei, Joint CEO of the NSDMA, used the meeting to reflect on the recent July 19, 2026, landslides in Mon District. He pointed to the event as a moment where community spirit saved lives. The meeting also featured reports from General Secretary Akhale V. Khamo and a closing vote of thanks from Dr. R. Rose Chakhesang. The Nagaland State Branch concluded the day by donating to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. The event opened with a prayer by Rev. N. Suhuto Chishi and included a youth presentation from the CRC AG Road department.
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