Disaster Management Rohan R Patil

Introduction India is one of the most disaster prone countries. On an average about 5000 people die 51 million are affected every year due to floods.

Definition “ A serious disruption of the functioning of a community or society causing widespread human, material, economic and environmental losses which exceeds the ability of the affected communities or society to cope using its own resources ” - United nation

Types of Disaster Sudden onset natural phenomenon - Flood, cyclones Slow onset natural phenomenon - Drought Sudden onset events - Accidents, civil wars Slow onset events - HIV epidemic, occupational hazard

Why disaster are so important? Affect the poor the most. Absolute level of disaster is increasing. Pose significant and growing threats to development. Globally 25% of the world’s land mass and 75% of its population are at risk.

Relation between poverty and disaster H V Disaster= ____________________ C H=Hazard V=Vulnerability C=Capacity

SPHERE standard ‘code of conduct’ People affected have a right to be supported Disaster affected people not to be treated as passive recipients Humanitarian imperative comes first Local culture and customs should be respected Relief aid must strive to reduce vulnerability Disaster affected should be recognized with dignity

Disaster management cycle disaster response rehabilitation reconstructi on Develo pment prevention mitigation Disaster preparedn ess

Common disaster in India Drought - meteorological -Agricultural -Hydrological Cyclone- refers to an area closed, circular motion rotating in the same direction as the earth Earthquake- sudden release of energy in the earth’s crust that creates seismic waves River erosion

Response after flood Rescue and evacuation to safer place Temporary shelter Food and nutrition Safe drinking water Environmental sanitation Non food items Hygiene kits(soap, sanitary napkins, ORS)

Temporary shelter In extreme condition people forced to live in relief camps Ensure security and safety Shelters should have lessened the impact of disaster- ‘Disaster Risk Reduction’ Application of ‘Sphere Standard’ Minimum sleeping area3.5 sq.m Sphere standard for family180 sq ft

Food and Nutrition Assess the nutrition of children 7-59 months, women and adolescents MUAC is the way to assess in emergency BMI is the most preferred indicator Application of sphere standard Food commodity Daily ration for two adults Daily ration for three children Kcal provided (adult) Kcal provided (Children) RICE725 gms580 gms DAL035 gms 117 SUB-TOTAL760 gms615 gms

Safe drinking water Purification of dirty water Disinfection of drinking sources - eg. Tube well Water sanitation and health -construction of temporary toilet Non food items -eg. clothes

Response after cyclone Most predictable disaster Worst affected should be at safe place Psycho-social counseling of victims Let victims lead life of ‘Normalcy -let them to go back to their villages -electricity restored -schools reopen -let them live ‘traditional livelihood’

Response to Drought Is a slow impact disaster Collection of rainfall data Expertise from key society actors Provide employment through cash or food -national rural employment guarantee act -public distribution system Create community structures

Response to river erosion Vulnerable on geographic location Most pressing short term needs  Rescue and evacuation  Shelter  Food and water  Clothes  Sanitation  Hygiene kits  Protection of young boys and girls

Response after earthquake Immediate response - searching for survivors -provide medical attention -meet immediate needs ‘Disaster Risk reduction’ ‘Community wisdom’

Response after tsunami Address the high risk community Rescue Care of injured Temporary shelter Removal and disposal of dead Food and water sanitation Hygiene kits Psycho social kits Care and protection of children

Rehabilitation Operational guidelines- Live with the disaster affected people Emphasis should not be target oriented Emphasis on poor and vulnerable House reconstruction is not the only answer Be flexible

Community based disaster preparedness Key features -community participation -inclusion as governmental policies Framework -develop village level plan -initiate implementation of plan -documentation of process - integration of plan

Phase wise distinction of community based disaster preparedness plan Pre-disaster phase On disaster phase(rescue and emergency) Post disaster phase(relief and rehabilitation) Long term measures( sustainable livelihood)

Other disaster in India Bhopal gas tragedy -NGO’s were harassed by government -WHO and UNICEF were absent Arsenic in drinking water -First recognized by villagers -Affected 4.5 million people, 2 lakh suffer -Was the biggest public health issue in the world

Hunger and disaster India home of 200 million hungry people India ranks 66 th /88 developing countries countryGHI 2008GDP per capita Nigeria Cameroon Kenya Sudan India

reference Battacharya T, A comprehensive handbook on disaster management, VHAI 2010 Suggested Readings: Politics of famine NFHS II Comparison of Hunger across states India disaster report, 1999 Oxfam handbook on development and relief Sphere minimum standard in humanitarian response Where there is no doctor Documentation on CBDP

About the author Is a geophysicist Worked on disaster management and rehabilitation across the nation Initiated cross border CBDP Prepared Orissa super cyclone recovery programme.

Thank you