<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">The district administration of Kathua on Friday distributed 'Disaster Response Kits' among the newly trained 'Aapda Mitra' who will serve as first responder role in wake of any disaster. As many as 200 'Aapda Mitra' have undergone 12 day training at Central Training Institute (HG, CD, SDRF) Kot Bhalwal, Jammu. The volunteers were given training on water rescue and mountaineering rescue besides imparting other skills like fire-fighting, flood rope crossing, rappelling, climbing and rescue from higher buildings. Deputy Commissioner, Kathua Rahul Pandey gave away disaster kits, certificate of participation, I-Card and T-Shirts among the newly trained 'Aapda Mitra' volunteers during a brief ceremony. The district administration has deputed these Aapda Mitra volunteers for undergoing special training under the Government of India's sponsored scheme "Upscaling of Aapda Mitra" wherein volunteers were sensitised about different aspects of disaster management.</p>