Silchar: In a landmark move aimed at improving disaster preparedness and social welfare delivery, the Cachar district administration on Wednesday launched the Digi CFRC (Community Facilitation and Resource Centre) a first-of-its-kind digital platform designed to empower communities in crisis. The official inauguration was held at a hotel in Silchar, drawing participation from senior government officials, development agencies, and community stakeholders.

The Digi CFRC has been developed as a community-centric interface to streamline disaster assistance and enhance access to government schemes. Addressing the gathering, Roktim Baruah, CEO of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and Additional District Commissioner of Cachar, described the CFRC as a crucial step towards integrated disaster response and welfare delivery.

“We have learned that when departments operate in silos, response efficiency suffers. The CFRC allows us to align our efforts, pool resources, and keep the community at the centre of our planning,” Baruah said.

Pranab Kumar Bora, CEO of the Zilla Parishad, Cachar, presided over the event and formally inaugurated the platform. In his keynote address, he underlined the urgent need for such an initiative, particularly in rural areas where public awareness and last-mile delivery remain challenges.

“The CFRC is our response to these gaps. By combining technology, trained personnel, and targeted awareness campaigns, we aim to ensure that no one is left behind,” Bora stated.

Officials from UNICEF India, including Anand Kanu and Ananya Goswami, spoke on the integration of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) strategies into community governance. They presented data on Cachar’s disaster vulnerability, citing climate change, rapid urbanisation, and population pressures as critical risk factors. The duo also showcased how CFRCs can enhance community resilience through coordinated and proactive preparedness.

Dr Ritumani Das introduced the newly developed CFRC manuals, explaining their role in facilitating community-level disaster preparedness. The Secretary of the Inter-Agency Group (IAG), Cachar, laid out operational protocols to clarify roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders.

Meanwhile, the Field Officer, Disaster Management, contextualised the initiative within the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) framework, demonstrating how the CFRC aligns with existing state-level disaster response strategies.

The event concluded with a situation analysis exercise, simulating a disaster scenario to test the platform’s operational readiness. The activity underscored the CFRC’s capability to mobilise resources, personnel, and information in real-time to support affected populations.

With the launch of Digi CFRC, the Cachar district administration has taken a significant stride toward inclusive, community-driven governance in disaster response and welfare delivery.