Telangana hosts first animal-inclusive disaster risk reduction conference

UNICEF and Humane World for Animals India, in collaboration with Telangana State Disaster Management Authority, held the state’s first animal-inclusive disaster risk reduction conference. Experts discussed integrating animal welfare into disaster preparedness, response systems, and family-centered plans

Hyderabad: In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the State, UNICEF and Humane World for Animals India (formerly called Humane Society International India), in collaboration with the Telangana State Disaster Management Authority, jointly hosted a one-day conference on animal-inclusive disaster risk reduction in Telangana.

The event brought together experts, government agencies, disaster management authorities, policymakers, veterinary professionals, and humanitarians to explore strategies for integrating animal welfare into disaster preparedness and response systems.

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Through panel discussions, expert dialogues, and open discussions, the conference facilitated cross-sectoral dialogue that promises to pave the way for stronger policy alignment, capacity building,g and community engagement.

The involvement of the districts where the Post Disaster Needs Assessment was conducted in 2024 helped to illuminate the most important challenges that animals face in disaster situations.

Speakers and participants jointly reviewed existing disaster risk reduction measures for farmed animals, companion animals, and wildlife; identified actionable strategies to create an animal-inclusive disaster management model for the state; and discussed ways to integrate animal welfare into child and family-centered disaster response plans.

Vakiti Srihari, Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries, senior office bearers of Human World for Animals India, including its MD, Alokparna Sengupta, Manager, disaster relief and response team, Praveen Suresh, Disaster Risk and Resilience Officer (South India) UNICEF India, and Mahendra Rajaram were present.