Bhubaneswar: Odisha-born IAS officer and Additional Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Pramod Kumar Mishra was conferred with the prestigious United Nations Sasakawa Award for Disaster Risk Reduction for the year 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland yesterday.

Mahila Housing Sewa Trust, India and Department of Civil Defence of Campinas, Brazil were the co-winners of the award. Name of the winners were announced by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, Mami Mizutori at an awards ceremony in Geneva.

Mishra was awarded for a lifetime of dedication to improving the resilience of communities most exposed to floods and drought, and his personal commitment to social inclusion as a critical principle to reduce inequality and poverty, enhancing the safety net of the socially and economically marginalized, the UN said in a statement.

Among his many initiatives, Mishra has been instrumental in reducing and mitigating risks by designing and implementing effective crop insurance.

As many as 61 nominations from 31 countries were received for the award. The United Nations Sasakawa Award for Disaster Reduction recognizes individuals, organizations and initiatives that have best contributed to ensuring inclusive, accessible and non-discriminatory participation in disaster risk reduction activities for all sections of society, especially the poor.

The award was established in 1986 by founding Chairman of the Nippon Foundation, Ryoichi Sasakawa. A total grant of US$50,000 is shared among the laureates.