Shimla
The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR), designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989, is observed globally on 13th October every year to foster a culture of risk awareness and resilience. The 2025 theme – “Fund Resilience, Not Disasters” – highlights the urgent need to invest proactively in resilience measures to reduce the human, social, and economic costs of disasters.
To commemorate IDDRR, the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA) launched SAMARTH in 2011. Since then, it has grown into a statewide annual campaign on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), observed every October. Over the years, the campaign has evolved into a people-centric initiative that brings together government departments, institutions, and communities to strengthen preparedness and resilience across Himachal Pradesh.
HPSDMA will be organizing its flagship mass awareness campaign “SAMARTH–2025” from 1st to 31st October, 2025. This month-long campaign will be conducted across the State with a special focus on promoting disaster preparedness, safe construction practices, and community resilience.
The State-level function is scheduled at Shimla on 13th October, 2025, coinciding with the global observance of IDDRR. To mark the occasion, a five-day Exhibition on Disaster Preparedness & Response Equipment, Technologies, and Products will be held at the Padam Dev Complex, The Ridge, Shimla, from 13th to 17th October, 2025.
As part of SAMARTH-2025, a wide range of activities will be organized across the State by the SDMA and all DDMAs, with active support from line departments, NGOs, academic institutions, and community organizations. The campaign will feature awareness drives through multimedia platforms, street plays, folk performances, and dissemination of IEC materials; school and college-level competitions such as safe construction model-building contests, quizzes, poster and essay writing, and mock drills; and specialized workshops for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) focusing on resilient urban planning and safe construction practices. Community engagement will be further strengthened through Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), Aapda Mitras, and technical personnel during Gram Sabha meetings on 2nd October, 2025.
HPSDMA appeals to all citizens, institutions, and stakeholders to actively participate in SAMARTH- 2025 and contribute towards building a disaster-resilient Himachal Pradesh.
