Dignity kits for victims on anvil

‘Dignity kits’ — containing basic toiletries, a pair of clothes and hygiene items — sleeping bags, mats, and portable handpumps are some of the latest first response items that will be provided by the NDRF to ensure quick relief to victims of major calamities in the country.

The disaster contingency force has gone in for a first-time mega procurement of items as part of arming itself with goods for the national disaster response reserve that is meant to be provided as the primary survival kit for victims.

The National Disaster Response Force, in the first go, has decided to procure about 17,000 ‘dignity kits’ for both men and women, 2 lakh synthetic sleeping mats, 75,000 sleeping bags, 1,200 portable handpumps and 4,800 dead body or casualty bags.

As part of the standard ‘dignity kit’ for women, that will be packed in a plastic bucket, the victims of a disaster like earthquake, flash floods or similar events will be provided a small toothpaste, brush, bathing and washing soaps, 2 pairs of undergarments, towel, oil, comb, 2 pairs of salwar suits of different sizes, nail cutter, mirror, a packet having 10 sanitary pads, anti-septic cream and a mug.

A similar relief packet or ‘dignity kit’ for men will have similar items except that it will have 2 pairs of 'pyjama-kurta' instead of the women attire, and a shaving pack.