SECTION – I

1. Examine the role of various agencies in disaster management and development.

Answer- Role of various Agencies in Disaster Management and Development -

i. Indian Red Cross Society - In India, we have Red Cross Society at the national, state and
district levels..This is not just
an agency, but also a movement for providing relief to the people when they are in direct need
of it. Since this is an offshoot of an international movement, it is a completely non-political
organisation. It 'is the image of the Red Cross that makes it one of the most acceptable
institutions in the area of providing relief to the people in distress.

Till 1995, the Red Cross was working primarily as a relief organisation. Froin 1996 onwards, the
International Federation of Red Cross has shifted its focus from 'relief' to 'disaster preparedness’
and has started developing community-based disaster preparedness plans. There
are many training programmes being organised by the Reil Cross. The 5-day training
programme of the Red Cross consists of:
● Field visits
● Making the trainees aware of the terminology related to various items as well as technology in
use by various agencies
● Familiarising the trainees with the role of Red Cross in disaster management, which includes
rescue and relief to meet the challenges related to health hazards

The Red Cross is basically concerned with relief distribution including first-aid and transporting/
shifting the victims of disasters to hospitals or other safer places. The other agencies like
National Caclet Corps (NCC) and National Social Service (NSS) should also be made aware of
the role und potential of the Red Cross in order to ensure adequate coordination.

Media
The role of the electronic media has, during recent times, emerged as a major component of
disaster management. This role has been amply demonstrated in the aftermath of disasters be it
the gujarat earthquake of 2001 or the Muzaffarabad Earthquake of 2005. At the same time, the
role of the print media, especially regional press needs to be given due recognition, as this
continues to be the only medium accessible to a large section of people in many parts of
society, which still remains unreachable by the electronic media. Besides, it is also true that the
print media has a major role to play in pre-disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness
activities through generation of appropriate community awareness.

Fire Services -.
In a larger context of mbanisalion and industrialisation, calamities play a match box role of
igniting Indore dangerous and uncontrollable disasters like fires. During the Kobe Earthquake, a
large number of buildings that could resist seismic forces were largely damaged due to post
disaster fires. As per the Constitution of India, 'fire services' is a state subject under Section
243. The 'fire service" thus, provides coverage to only 30 percent of the community, which is
grossly inadequate.

Civil Defence and Home Guards

The Civil Defence Organisation was established with a view to protect interests of the civilian
community in the times of war. The Civil Defence Act of 1968 formally established the structure
of the organisation. The Centre is only a guiding agency while the states are responsible
for raising, training and maintaining the corps. The Civil Defence Organisation is primarily a
voluntary organisation, whose resources are mobilised at the time of need through an activation
procedure. Civil Defence Organisation requirements are based on the vulnerability analysis by
the states themselves and are equipped accordingly. Their primary work areas include:
communication, rescue and casualty management, transportation and supply service, sewage
and corpse disposal along with basic welfare services.

Police and Paramilitary Forces - Police is always immediately mobilised to reach the site of
disaster with a view to carry out,
relief and rescue operations with the coordination agencies. It is also the responsibility of the
police to provide security and maintain law and order at disaster locations where chances of
chaos or miscreants taking advantage of the situation are higher. Police personnel deployed for
such relief operations could prevent commission of cognisable offences including all offences
against life, property and public tranquility.

The police communication system is made available for transmission and receipt of messages
in connection with disasters. The police also regulate movement of victims, rescue and relief
work, medical assistance and supplies. The role of forces is very important, as they may be
called upon for additional assistance to the police in situations requiring emergency attention.
The Central Industrial Security Force has an important role, particularly in disasters
involving industrial units or locations. The role of Border Security Force in the remote and
inaccessible areas also cannot be overlooked.

Armed Forces - The catastrophic impact of disasters can be reduced only if there is
coordination and cooperation from varied sections of the society. The Indian Armed Forces are
one of the most dedicated
and professional organisations with a rich tradition of being involved in the socio-developmental
roles of nation-building. Their services though should be utilised as a last resort and be called
upon to intervene and take on specific tasks only when the situation is beyond the coping
capability of civil administration, as it involves high costs. There is a need for a high degree of
cooperation and coordination between the various agencies involved in disaster management at
the time of a disaster. Since many a time, the
Armed Forces are required to provide assistance in the relief operations, it is essential that they
are also involved in disaster planning and preparation. The resources and capabilities at the
disposal of the Armed Forces can be extremely useful in a crisis situation and therefore, the
district and state plans should incorporate the role expected of them so that the procedure for
deploying them is smooth and quick. Their role in providing the emergency support functions
such as communications, search and rescue operations, health and medical facilities,
transportation, power, food and civil supplies, public works and engineering, information
,dissemination, and planning at the time of disasters is extremely beneficial.
Ex Service Personnel -Every year, nearly 60,000 defence personnel including approximately
3,000 officers join the
ranks of ex-service personnel in our country. Majority of them retire at a young age between 32
to 50 years in order to enable a youthful profile of the Armed Forces. Their total number is
estimated at about 5.5 million, out of which over 1.5 million are registered. They constitute
a national asset - a vast human reserve that is disciplined and trained to exacting standards,
This potential force needs to be brought into the national disaster management structure, and
assigned an appropriate role in the overall response mechanism.

Public Sector Undertakings and Private Sector - A valuable role is played by various public
sector undertakings (PSUs) and corporate groups in the aftermath of the recent major disasters.
It has been visible in the Orissa Super Cyclone and the Gujarat Earthquake. PSUs are in a
position to extend specialised support in their area of operation expeditiously, and this needs to
be built into the disaster response plans, particularly at the state level. The role of the private
sector is still an emerging one, and though a major role has been played by a number of
corporate organisations in recent disaster situations, not much has been documented or is
available in a consolidated form in this area. Thus, efforts could be made to harness this
humane side of the corporate sector.

International Agencies - A number of international agencies including those of the United

Nations' family have been
playing an important role in disaster prevention, mitigation, response, recovery and
rehabilitation. In the past couple of decades, international NGOs like Oxfam and Red Cross, as
well as bilateral agencies like Department for International Development (DFID), United States
Agency
for International Development (USAID), and many others have poured millions of dollars in
disaster response and recovery. The Humanitarian Agencies of the UN Family, namely United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), World
Food Programme (WFP), World Health Organisation (WHO), International Labour Organisation
(ILO), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) together form the UN Disaster Management
Teams in each country.

2. Write a note on communication system for information management.

3. Discuss the nature of disaster preparedness in Asia.

Answer- Nature of disaster preparedness in asia - The most effective way of managing
disasters is to bring down the vulnerability levels of the community and build sustainable
livelihood practices. It, thus, becomes important to assess the
preparedness levels to cope with disasters. This Section gives an overview of disaster
preparedness measures in Asia that are crucial to the development of an adequate physical and
other infrastructure, The Section also discusses some significant initiatives in planning and
preparedness for disasters in the Asian region. Disaster management, as we all know, is a
collective term encompassing all aspects of planning for and responding to disasters, including
both pre- and post-disaster activities. It may refer to the management of both the risks as well
as consequences of a disaster.

Nearly half of the world's major disasters occur in the Asia and Pacific region. Earthquakes,
floods, volcanic eruptions, landslides, famines, epidemics, hurricanes, tsunamis and
technological accidents occur in this region with considerable frequency. Significant population
growth rates, increased urbanisation and environmental degradation compound the impact of
each of these phenomena. Every year, disasters in the Asia and Pacific region claim thousands
of lives, render hundreds of thousands of people homeless, and
destroy millions of dollars worth of
infrastructure and personal property.

As its main conduct for mitigating the effects of disasters in the Asia and Pacific region, U.S.
Agency for International Development 1 Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster, Assistance (USAID/
OFDA) provides funding to the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) located in
Bangkok, Thailand. ADPC is the leading centre in this region dedicated to protecting
communities and environment from the devastation caused by disasters. ADPC works with
national and local governments to develop the capabilities of countries in responding to
disasters and instituting
appropriate policies to mitigate their effects.

ADPC achieves these goals through programmes that focus on training, technical assistance
and information sharing. The four key programmes at ADPC are the Asian Urban Disaster
Mitigation Programme (AUDMP), Programme for Enhancement of Emergency Response
(PEER), Programme for Understanding Extreme Climate Events (PUECE), and the Damage
Assessment and Needs Analysis Programme (DANA). USAID/OFDA provides funding for
each of these initiatives. The AUDMP, launched in 1995, is ADPCYs largest Regional
Programme. It has been designed
to make cities safer from disasters, with a goal of reducing the disaster vulnerability of urban
population, infrastructure, critical facilities, and shelter in the targeted.secondary cities. It also
aims to promote replication and adaptation of successful mitigation measures throughout the
region, Towards this end, the Programme conducts national demonstration projects, information
dissemination and networking activities, policy seminars and professional training in the target
countries of Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Nepal, Philippines, Sri
Lanka, and Vietnam.

The PEER Programme, which is a collaborative initiative between ADPC, USAID/OFDA and the
Miami Fire Rescue Department, commenced in October 1998, with an objective to develop and
strengthen search and rescue training capabilities in Asia at the national, regional, and
subregional levels. This is the first initiative of its kind in Asia to impart skills and enhance the
expertise of local responders to provide effective and coordinated on-scene management of
rescue and medical response needs, following a disaster. The four target countries are India,
Indonesia, Nepal and the Philippines.

The PUECE Programme is a follow-on initiative to the February 1998 Asian Regional Meeting
on El Nino-related crises held by ADPC in collaboration with National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), the US National Weather Service and partially funded by USAIDJ ;
OFDA in February 1998. The goal of the Programme is to significantly improve the
understanding of the impact of extreme climate events such as El NiNo and La Nina on the
environment in a selected Asian countries. It also aims to reduce the disaster impact of such
events through
effective application of climate forecast information. The Programme is currently operational in
Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, and may expand to include Bangladesh and 'Thailand.

The DANA programme, which started in the year 2000, aims to develop a standard
methodology and protocol to assist disaster managers in the Asia and Pacific region with a view
to assessing and reporting on post-disaster damages and needs. In doing so, disaster response
will be facilitated and coordinated through the optimisation of local and international resources.
In time,
the DANA Programme is expected to expand to encompass the development of a standard
methodology for the assessment of rehabilitation and reconstruction needs and the damaged
infrastructure. It will also look into the training programmes for rapid response teams, and
planning for post-disaster needs.

Through the implementation of such litigation programmes, disasters will have a far less
devastating impact throughout the Asia and pacific region. Ultimately, by strengthening regional,
national and local capabilities to respond to disasters, and by instituting appropriate disaster
mitigation policies, .the region is likely to witness a reduction in loss of life and property. Iri
'addition, the international relief community would experience a drastic reduction in the cost it .'
bears to provide towards continual post-disaster assistance. On the regional front, the United
Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
(UNOCHA) has recently set up a Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok,
Thailand.

UNDP's Regional Centre serving Asia and the Pacific is also located in Bangkok along with the
Regional Desk of International Secretariat for Disaster Reduction (ISDR-a UN Secretariat).
These countries in the region are pushing forward the agenda of the Hyogo Framework of
Action (2005-2015) for integration of disaster risk reduction considerations with
sustainable development policy, as well as planning and programming at all levels in order to
build resilient and strong communities. During the coming few years, Earth Observation and
Early Warning for Environment Team will continue to build on the existing strategic partnerships
as well as the new ones in Europe, the U.S. and Southern Africa.
4. ‘Government at the central as well as state levels has specific schemes for providing
funds for disaster management achievers’. Comment.

5. Bring out the features of traditional disaster resistant construction techniques.

Answer- Some of the huge multi-storeyed building constructions in Garhwal Himalayas, known
for high seismic activity, employ earthquake resistant traditional architectural design, A few
building
structures, five to six storeys high, have endured the ravages of time, weather and geo-activity
for hundreds of years, These constructions are locally known as 'Sumer', 'Chaukhat' or 'Kothi’.
These structures have withstood a number of earthquakes,including the recent ones. Let us
now look at the nature of technology used in such constructions:

The Building Technology in 'Sumers' -

The Sumers are ascribed to the Rajput families of Rajasthan in India. They built the Sumers to
function as watchtowers and to provide for the defence of all the families living in an area, rather
than for the protection of a single family. Structures comparable to the 'Sumer', with some
variations have also been reported from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nepal, all in the
Himalaya - Karakoram earthquake-prone zone. The indigenously devised building technology,
which is used to erect Sumers, makes use of locally available resources such as long thick
wooden logs, stones, slates and clay to specification. Typical. 'Sumers' stand 15-17 mts high
from the ground level and have 5-6 floors with 4 rooms on each floor. The ground area
covered by the Sumer is 86 sq.mt. A foundation trench 3 mts deep and 70 cms wide is first dug
and then refilled with well-dressed flat stones. This foundation is then raised above the ground
in the fashion of a rectangular platform, to the height of 2.3 mts with the help of flat stones, clay
and stone fillings.

The structure of the 'Sumer' rests upon this platform. To raise the walls, double wooden logs ,
are placed horizontally on the edge of the two parallel sides of the platform, which are opposite
to each other. The width.of the logs determines the thickness of the walls, which is 70 cins. On
the other two parallel sides, the wall is raised with well-dressed flat stones to the surface level of
the logs placed on the other two sides. The walls are further raised to 30 cms by placing heavy,
well-dressed flat stones upon the wooden logs on the two sides and by placing another pair of
wooden logs upon the stones on the other two opposite sides.

The four walls of the structure are thus raised using the wooden logs and dressed up flat stones
alternately, up to a height of about 17mt. The structure is further reinforced with the help of
wooden beams fixed alternately that run from the middle of the walls of one side to the other,
intersecting at the centre. This arrangement divides the 'Sumer' into 4 equal parts from within
and provides for joists supporting the floorboards in each floor of the building. On the fourth and
the fifth floors, the 'Sumer' has a balcony with a wooden railing running around on all four
sides. The fourth floor is also provided with a toilet-cum-bathroom on the balcony. Specially
designed wooden ladders provide access to the different floors, which are located within the
'Sumer’. The roof of the 'Sumer' is laid with slate stones. These type of structures have proved
to be quite resistant to earthquakes, and the design and technique behind them could be used
in the present context.

Technology used in 'Chaukhats' - The technology applied on the 'Chaukhats' or 'Kothi' is

reminiscent of a machine stitch on a fabric that keeps a piece of cloth in shape. In like manner,
the technology makes use of wood like a thread and keeps the entire structure intact against the
ravages of weather and geo-activity. Through-stones and flat-stones are used, and wood
predominates the structures of whatever dimensions they are. Pairs of thick wooden logs,
beginning from the base of any two
opposite walls are used at every 30 inches alternately with heavy stones to raise the walls and
run through the entire length of all the walls.

At the right angle where any two walls meet, the edges of the pair of logs on one wall are placed
on the edge of the logs of the other and they are joined together by hammering thick wooden
nails through them. This has an effect of turning the structure into a single piece construction.
Any devices used for windows, doorways, ventilators or floor-joists are joined to
these well-secured pairs of logs, which further strengthen the structure. The use of pair of logs
gives to the wall a thickness of almost 70 crns. Such time-tested technologies for building quake
resistant houses are still available in the Himalayan region in India.-Let us now highlight some
quake resistant technologies used in other countries such as Northern Peru.

Earthquake Resistant Housing in Peru

In the Grauniad San Martin regions of Northern Peru, over two million people are vulnerable to
disasters including those caused by floods, landslides and earthquakes. Traditional 'Quincha'
building technology results in a flexible structure with an inherent earthquake resistance. It has
been used in parts of Peru for many centuries. Traditionally, a 'Quincha' house would have a
round pole set directly in the ground, filled in with smaller wooden poles and interwoven to I
form a matrix, which is then plastered with one or more layers of earth, The structures
performed well during earthquakes, but in May 1990, an earthquake struck the relatively
isolated Alto Mayo region of Northern Peru and destroyed 3000 houses. It was then decided by
the builders, householders and community organisations in Alto Mayo to introduce improved.

SECTION - II

9. What are the guiding principles and criteria of monitoring and evaluation?
Answer- Key principles for monitoring and evaluation-

● Monitoring and evaluation should refer back to existing baseline data or begin with a
baseline study

● Monitoring and evaluation are closely linked to, and should reflect the methodology of,
the initial project appraisal
 ● Monitoring is an integral part of programme implementation

● Monitoring should be linked to the specific programme objectives that were defined
through the appraisal and programme planning process

● Monitoring information should be used in decision-making

● Evaluation should follow a specific methodology designed to gather information about

programme success

● Monitoring and evaluation should respect principles of participation and involve all
programme stakeholders, including programme implementers, beneficiaries (programme
users), women and girl survivors when appropriate and safe, local officials, and other
observers such as related civil society groups

● Monitoring and evaluation should respect and protect the rights, welfare, and
confidentiality of all those involved in the programme

● Monitoring and evaluation should use multiple methods of data gathering to answer the
same question. This allows for triangulation of data, or comparison of results from
multiple sources. This in turn increases the validity of the result, or the likelihood that the
data collection has captured a real result.

Criteria for monitoring and evaluation-

There are five criteria to take into consideration in relation to monitoring and evaluation. These
are: relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability (OECD-DAC Principles and
Standards).

Relevance: The extent to which the

objectives of a development intervention are consistent with beneficiaries’ requirements, country
needs, global priorities and partner and donor policies.

Effectiveness: The extent to which the

development interventions objectives were
achieved, or are expected to be achieved,
taking into account their relative importance.

Efficiency: A measure of how economically

resources/inputs (funds, expertise, time, etc.) are converted to results.

Impact: Positive and negative, primary and

secondary long term effects produced by a
development intervention, directly or
indirectly, intended or unintended.
Sustainability: The continuation of benefits
from a development intervention after major development assistance has been
completed.

10. Examine the significance of people’s participation in disaster management and

awareness.
Answer- People participation may be viewed as a process that serves one or more of the
following objectives:

Increasing Empowerment: It should be defined as seeking to increase the control of disaster

affected people over the resources and decisions affecting their lives in the disaster aftermath;
and ensuring their participation in the benefits produced by the society in which they live. Any
project or development activity during the rehabilitation process is then a means of empowering
people so that they we able to initiate, as well as sustain disaster mitigation actions on their
own, and thus influence the process and outcome of development.

Building Beneficiary Capacity: It could be achieved by ensuring that participants are actively
involved in projects of rehabilitation that aim at social consciousness and awareness generation
through formal or informal training.

Enhancing Project Effectiveness:Community participation tends to enhance project

effectiveness when the involvement of beneficiaries contributes to better project formulation,
design and implementation, and leads to a better balance between project services and
beneficiary needs and constraints.

Increased Transparency and Accountability :Large-scale reconstruction efforts with tenders

and formal bidding processes reduce opportunities for the local people to get involved in
reconstruction. Many government officials, NGOs, and community members feel that large
contracts reduce transparency and increase the risk of corruption. Local people have expressed
their concern on the negative impact of outside commercial interests, which may promote costly
solutions. Lack of trust in the local contractors and builders is particularly strong at this time
because people tend to blame them for poor quality of construction and material. Informed
participation of communities could contain costs,
and ensure accountability and reliability.

Decreased Irregularities : By ensuring that funds are made available directly to the
communities and the stakeholders
involved, the scope for irregularities is reduced. Thus, wherever possible, communities should
undertake their own construction efforts, on the basis of their knowledge about the support
services that are available. Village people should be involved in enlisting beneficiaries and
reviewing damage assessment reports. Material and cash transfers should be made only in
public meetings to ensure transparency. Accounts and records should be accessible to the
public and regularly updated. During the process of relief provision itself, the people should take
up responsibility for restarting schools with some material support and financial assistance from
outside. They should also take recourse to other infrastructure for meeting their immediate
needs for temporary shelter.

Reduction in Dependency - While relief and humanitarian assistance are important in the
immediate aIterinath of a natural
disaster, they should be replaced as soon as possible with efforts to foster a greater sense of
ownership and involvement among people. Greater local participation and contributions to the
reconstruction effort could reduce social tensions and lead to more sustainable developmental
efforts.

Provision of Opportunities for Employment -Employment and income are urgent needs of
the affected people. Rather than purchasing material, expertise and labour from outside, efforts
need to be made to utilise resources and employ local people in the rebuilding activities,
including work schemes such as removal of . debris, and construction of community
infrastructure.

Increase in Access to Services - Community participation in decisions on schools and health

centre locations, and the type of water supply and sanitation infrastructure to be built, for
example, would ensure better access and increased utilisation of services. This would make
them more effective in meeting people's
needs. Experience has shown that women's involvement in the planning of public services, as
well as housing the disaster affected does benefit families and communities a great deal.
Organisations such as the Kutch Mahila Vikas Sangathan and the Self-Employed Women's
Association (SEWA) assist in working with women. Such endeavours need to be encouraged.

Sharing Project Costs: An object of community participation is the desire to share the costs of
the project with the people it serves. Thus, beneficiaries may be expected to contribute labour,
or
other infrastructure resources to undertake or maintain the project. From the government's point
of view, participatory services may be of some benefit as increased participation on the part of
the people can reduce the overall cost of social transfers entailed in a project. It is thus a form of
cutting costs of social programmes that allow the governments more flexibility with respect to
rehabilitation. People connected with project-based progralnines
can also provide the government with great deal of information on the social and economic
needs of the population.Organisations involved in participatory service may help the
government
to identify potential leaders who assist in the rehabilitation process, or at least disseminate
information about the goals of the government programmes.