Kerala: Volunteer force to fight natural disasters

Thiruvananthapuram: The State Youth Welfare Board has formed a voluntary service force to intervene during natural disasters and coordinate relief and rescue operations. The passing out parade of the first batch of the Kerala Voluntary Youth Action Force (K-VYAF) will be held at police ground, Thycaud, here at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

The plan is to train one lakh-odd boys and girls to take part in rescue and relief operations. Their services will be used for disaster management, relief operations, waste disposal, palliative care and awareness programmes.

Those aged between 18 and 25 who have registered online through http://volunteer.ksywb.in   have been selected for the action force.

As many as 1, 000 youngsters were given training at National Adventure Academy in Munnar for three days from February 23 and at the disaster -affected areas of Thiruvananthapuram district on Friday, said board member secretary R.S. Kannan.

Apart from this, 100 youths selected from districts were given special training by the fire force on February 18, 19 and 20 in Thrissur.

The action force has been divided into five ‘armies’ of environmental conservation, water conservation, waste disposal, road protection and disaster management.

The volunteers will be divided into the five ‘armies’ after the training.  The idea was mooted after the huge participation of youths in the post-flood rescue and relief operations.