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ASSIGNMENT SOLUTIONS GUIDE (2016-2017)

M.P.A.-018
Disaster Management
Disclaimer/Special Note: These are just the sample of the Answers/Solutions to some of the Questions given in the
Assignments. These Sample Answers/Solutions are prepared by Private Teachers/Tutors/Authors for the help and guidance
of the student to get an idea of how he/she can answer the Questions given in the Assignments. We do not claim 100%
accuracy of these sample answers as these are based on the knowledge and capability of Private Teacher/Tutor. Sample

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answers may be seen as the Guide/Help for the reference to prepare the answers of the Questions given in the assignments.
As these solutions and answers are prepared by the private teacher/tutor so the chances of error or mistake cannot be
denied. Any Omission or Error is highly regretted though every care has been taken while preparing these Sample Answers/

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Solutions. Please consult your own Teacher/Tutor before you prepare a Particular Answer and for up-to-date and exact
information, data and solution. Student should must read and refer the official study material provided by the university.

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This assignment consists of Sections I and II. There are five questions in each section. You have to answer
a total of five questions in about 500 words each. It is necessary to attempt at least two questions from each
section. Each question carries 20 marks

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SECTION–I
Q. 1. Examine the relationship between Development and Environment.
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Ans. The impacts of disasters are compounded by human activities intended for development. In 1995, large
parts of Rohtak town in Haryana were submerged even months after flood water had receded. This water-logging
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happened because of poor land use planning. Highly chemicalised canal irrigation in Punjab has resulted in groundwater
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contamination. Dams in many parts of the country have displaced millions of people, submerged thousands of forest
acreage. Large dams also induce seismicity in quake rocked areas as in Maharashtra’s Koyna.
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Droughts in Odisha, the desertification in parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan and floods in the plains are taking an
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increasing toll of life, property and environment.

Destruction of forest and mountain ecology, excess use of groundwater and new cultivation methods are the
cause of recurring floods, droughts and landslides in India. Man-made structures such as dams, canals and embankments
also worsen the flood situation across the country.
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Coastal areas have been more vulnerable to storms and cyclone due to destruction of mangroves and coral reefs.
Commercialisation has also increased unplanned development in coastal regions which would cause more loss of
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life and damage to property in case of any disaster.

Risks due to Environmental Stresses: Example of Delhi
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Indian capital Delhi is the fourth most polluted city in the world. The pollution is caused by transport, domestic
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and industrial sectors. Vehicles contribute 72% of the pollution. The exploding population is another main cause.
Delhi’s population is estimated to rise to 22.42 million by 2021. Since 1993-94, industrialisation and trade and
commerce have increased the per-capita income of Delhi by 60 per cent, but the poor environmental conditions have
resulted in various diseases claiming lives. Asthma is a common disease among children in the city. Dengue fever
claims hundreds of lives every year.
In road accident, Delhi is among the top cities with high fatality ratios in the world. It shows poor road management
and governance.
Use of agricultural land for residential and industrial purposes has adversely affected agricultural employment
and productivity. Shortage of water is another major issue in the city. Delhi is taking water from neighbouring Uttar
Pradesh.

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Sustainable development is crucial to tackle Delhi’s current environmental crisis. Delhi lacks an integrated
system and does not have a relevant database to measure the environmental quality and to evaluate the effectiveness
of any action. These are gaps that have to be plugged to ensure a sustainable Delhi.
Safety Factor for Human Existence
Socio-economic and the physical environment – the social and physical structures and economic assets – determine
the quality of life of an individual. Quality of life thus can be improved by reducing the intensity and frequency of
disturbances to our existence. Reducing the vulnerability of the community is the key for improving the quality of
life.
The most important thus is the effective measures that can ensure safety of the community against the vulnerability
which results in mortality in case of a disaster.
Need for Action

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Along with the technology, adaptability and the cost aspects, consideration must also be made about how these
aspects can be effectively imparted to the community. Safer living should be the priority for the users.
The concept, safe city, brings about a strategic integration of various sectors and presents an integrated development

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framework. This approach is different from what traditionally the urban planning, development and management

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have been undertaken. The National Commission on Urbanisation Working Group on Physical Planning in India

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states that integration of various sectors would provide for checking costs and ensure efficient implementation of the
strategy.
Efforts to reduce risk should be based not only in urban governance and management but also in urban planning.

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In urban governance, it is not only the state, but also the private sector and civil society have a role to play. All play
crucial role for sustainable human development. The state would build conducive political and legal environment.
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The private sector would create employment opportunities and income. The civil society facilitates interaction
among various stake holders. Promoting constructive interaction among all the three will serve our purpose.
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Urban planning in developed countries is now getting shaped by post-modernism.
Post-modern tries to look at the city in its historical heterogeneous form. It seeks revisit the golden age when
there was much space for health and recreation. In post-modern approach, city is an expression of diverse cultures
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and traditions. According to David McLeod, post-modernist planning for urban development includes pluralistic
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and organic strategies. Post-modernism is a shift to participatory planning. It is against modernism which dictated
city design to increase industrial efficiency. Modern cities developed after the post-war period. City planning was
not the priority.
Post-modernism focuses on diversity, renewal and regeneration, local context, adjusting with various conditions,
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safe urban planning and management, the traditional wisdom of urban planning and sustainable development.
According to Goodchild, Modernism and Post-Modernism have the following differences:
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(i) Concept of the City: For modernist, the city is an object and a mass housing, while post-modernist take the
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city as landscape and social diversity.

(ii) Themes in Urban Design: For modernist, the focus is on lower densities and sunlight, mixed flats and
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housing and functional zoning, while post-modernist emphasise on local context, diversity and mixed land use.
(iii) Themes in Strategic Planning: For modernist, redevelopment of slums and controlled expansion through
suburbs, new town and greenbelts are important, whereas for post-modernists, renewal and regeneration and
containment are important.
(iv) Decision-making style: For modernist, it is comprehensive, either blueprint, unitary or adaptive. For post-
modernist, it is the piecemeal, coping with conditions.
Population in urban areas is growing rapidly. There is also lack of planning and structured settlements. The
urban communities thus have an increasing risk of natural and technological disasters. In such context, the urban
people may remain safe if risk awareness is created and preparedness plans are formulated.
Simple, effective, risk reduction measures in the long-run can help protect lives and improve livelihoods.

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Q. 2. Define risk reduction and highlight the significance of Total Disaster Risk Management Approach
(TDRM).
Ans. Total Disaster Risk Management Approach is relatively new in concept as well as in practice. Although a
few countries have adopted risk management concepts and principles in disaster management, most countries,
especially developing countries, remain unfamiliar with this approach. The prevailing practices, particularly in Asia,
are more inclined towards managing response to disasters, which requires preparedness, than towards managing
risks and the underlying conditions that lead to disasters, which requires, among others, risk assessment, vulnerability
reduction, and capacity enhancement. The focus on risk in the search for more effective approaches to disaster
management stems from the compelling need to understand more the root causes and underlying factors that lead to
disasters. The need to manage risk systematically has been widely appreciated and applied in the industrial, engineering
and financial sectors early in 1940s. Risk management has introduced structured and systematic processes and

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procedures for examining risks and for making decisions based on them. The innovative application of the generic
methodology of the risk management process to disaster management presents a fresh approach to understanding the
nature of disasters, preventing their harmful effects, as well as seeking opportunities from their occurrences. In the

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context of total disaster risk management, it promotes coordination of functions and the diverse skills and disciplines
and allows communities to undertake risk management activities that have been considered as the domain of

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engineering experts.
The concept of total which has been widely used in the context of total quality management needs to be developed
as it relates to disaster risk management. Since these have become the lingo of industrial, business and management
professionals, the development and promotion of the total disaster risk management approach could enable

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professionals previously less concerned to have meaningful involvement in disaster management. Considering that
countries vary in stages and paces of applying concepts and strategies for disaster management, more so with the
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emergence of the total disaster risk management concept, the impetus, medium and forum for advocating and promoting
efficiently this new approach need to be determined.
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Disasters are human-made. A catastrophic event whether precipitated by natural phenomena or human activities
assumes the state of a disaster when the community or society affected fails to cope. Natural hazards themselves do
not necessarily lead to disasters. Natural hazards like earthquakes however intense, inevitable or unpredictable,
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translate to disasters only to the extent that the population is unprepared to respond, unable to cope and consequently
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severely affected. The vulnerability of humans to the impact of natural hazards is to a significant extent determined
by human action or inaction. Even the occurrence of recent climatic anomalies attributed to global climate change is
traced to human activities.
However, disasters could be reduced if not prevented. With today’s advancements in science and technology,
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including early warning and forecasting of natural phenomena, together with innovative approaches and strategies
for enhancing local capacities, the impact of natural hazards, somehow could be predicted and mitigated, its detrimental
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effects on populations reduced, and the communities adequately protected. Societies have the capacity to recognize
the risks and factors that could lead or cause disasters and the appropriate interventions to control or manage them.
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It thus conveys that disasters can be prevented or their impact on communities mitigated, and that human action or
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inaction to high risk and vulnerability to natural hazards could spell the difference.
In today’s fast changing global environment, the detrimental consequences of disasters on society, economy,
natural environment and even politics cannot be overemphasized. More so in developing countries, the impact of
disasters inevitably goes beyond their immediate devastation, as the perennial toll on human lives, properties and
resources exacerbates poverty and setbacks economic development. Global disaster statistics for 1996-2000 revealed
staggering economic costs estimated at US$ 235 billion and 425,000 lives lost. Asia bears much of the brunt. Nearly
half of the world’s major natural disasters, recorded over more than three decades, occurred in the region. As a result,
Asia has become the world’s most disaster-prone region, absorbing 80 per cent of the total affected populations, 40
per cent of the total deaths, and 46 per cent of the total economic losses.
Notwithstanding the fact that the United Nations, national governments and non-governmental organizations
have made significant strides in promoting and establishing programmes and strategies for disaster reduction and

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response, many countries and local communities, especially in Asia, are becoming increasingly vulnerable to disasters
as technological, environmental, political and economic change combine to increase disaster risks. Moreover, socio-
economic studies have revealed that the secondary effects and indirect costs of disasters have long-term effects on
societies, regardless of their level of development. In Asia, the populations vulnerable to disaster risks are increasing.
While Asian countries have developed at varying levels their respective capacities and capabilities in disaster reduction
and response, many communities remain vulnerable to disasters as poverty prevails and populations and population
densities grow rapidly. Unfortunately, the increasing prevalence of disaster risks and the growing vulnerability of
communities to disasters tend to reduce the effectiveness of local capacities and coping mechanisms.
Q. 5. Write a note on Community Based Disaster Management.
Ans. Community Based Disaster Management (CBDM) was given importance in the 1980s even as community
based disaster initiatives were already undertaken in various parts of the world.

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CBDM has been included in the government policy despite its popularity in the past several years. The common
notion was that the grassroot organisations and NGOs should undertake CBDM. Two major aspects are:
(i) CBDM has been a local initiatives and not been accepted in other parts of the country.

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(ii) CBDM has not been included in national disaster management activities and national development policies.
Thus, the need is a framework to include CBDM into national policy.

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In 1995, when earthquake struck Kobe and other parts of in Japan, about 85 per cent of the people were rescued
by the locals or self-evacuated. This should how important is the community during a disaster.
The involvement of the communities and neighbourhoods in relief and rehabilitation programme and in recovery
process is the key to achieve the objectives.

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Principles, Strategies and Challenges
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The following are some of the basic principles with regard to CBDM:
(i) The community owns and lead planning, implementation and management.
(ii) Resources, capacities and partnerships available locally are used.
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(iii) The community take decide and make choices on activities. WWW.IGNOUASSIGNMENTS.IN
(iv) Focus is to improve the coping capacities of the local.
(v) The approach is based on development of the community.
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(vi) The focus is also given on sustainability.

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(vii) Vulnerable groups get special attention.

For desired impact, these principles have to be implemented. The following are the most commonly used strategies
and actions:
Public Awareness
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Creating public awareness is the most important in CBDM. Awareness creates an environment and a demand for
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intervention with linkages with resources. Community meetings, events, media and other activities are used to
spread awareness among the people. People should also be informed about policies and progammes introduced and
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implemented by the government for their benefit. Right to information is another way to inform people about various
programmes of the government.
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Of course, certain information related to security and public safety are however restricted. Cabinet papers,
records of the council of ministers and other officials are also excluded for disclosure under the right to information.
Research and Documentation
Research and documentation on the community and various interventions are also required. Information about
caste and other ethnic identifications are also needed for disaster response. Lack of cohesion in the community and
biases lead to ineffectiveness. Women and children lose out due to social biases. Understanding the details about the
community is crucial for CBDM. For instance, people face higher risk of heat waves in communities where elders
are left alone.
Understanding about physical vulnerability of infrastructure periodically is also required for their improvement.
They should be mapped and constantly updated. Surveys, monitoring, evaluation and mapping have to go on together.

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Studies, whoever carried out, should be unilateral. Measures suggested by vulnerable communities should be taken
to improve their capacity to cope with.
Capacity Building
Improving the capacity of the community is the key in CBDM. This would strengthen the staying power of the
community. Local capacity building should not depend on external assistance and the communities should be able to
take care of their requirements. Capacity building means better emergency response and taking developmental activities
to reduce the effects of any disaster in future.
The World Disaster Report 2004 suggested new approach in place of the traditional risk reduction. Instead of
starting with hazards and risks and then making linkages with development, it stated that developmental activities
can be carried out from the start. Measures like drought-resistant crops, rainwater harvesting, social forestry and
fish-farming can reduce the threat of disasters such as droughts and floods.

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Emphasis has now been on projects which can generate income for the community, instead of providing relief
items in the aftermath of disaster. Ad organisations are now trying to ensure that affected community get compensation
or soft loans to rebuild their homes.

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Skill upgradation of the community member is an important measure for capacity building. Other essential
resilience measures can be local warehousing and creating alternate livelihood options for the communities. Connecting

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disaster reduction programmes with livelihoods, setting up of local contingency funds and local task forces, introducing
entrepreneurial model for operating community programmes are also effective sustainable measures.
The following are the six policy prescriptions stated in the World Disasters Report of 2004 in this regard:
(i) Effective assessment to know what is required for the communities to recover from and adapt to risks.

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(ii) Good governance is required for building an environment which facilitates the more resilient communities
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to prosper.
(iii) The main objective of disaster interventions should be strengthening social capital.
(iv) Resilience of local livelihoods can be improved with new institutional strategies and inter-sectoral coalitions.
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(v) Humanitarian aid and disaster risk management can be improved with approaches focused on people.
(vi) The greatest challenge is improving strategies as per the aspirations and capacities of the community at-
risk.
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Networking
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Social networking is important step for developing partnerships which enable the people to capitalise on available
resources. It brings down costs and provides more benefits. Different stakeholders such as other communities, local
governments, higher governments, NGOs and corporate houses can be involved through partnership.
All social ties are involved in social capital. Studies also have used different levels to analyse social capital such
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as communities, provinces or regions and countries. According to studies, two of the three communities affected by
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the Red River flooding in Manitoba, Canada in 1997 with a higher stock of social capital succeeded in organising
themselves more rapidly and efficiently than the third with a lower stock of social capital.
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The following are the three indicators of social capital mentioned in the World Bank studies:
(i) Trust in others and trust in institutions such as government authorities, police and politicians is the major
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element of social capital.

(ii) Civic engagement involves people in social and political matters. It is volunteerism of people in taking part
in social and political matters.
(iii) Social networks are formed by people with their immediate networks such as close family, friends and
neighbours. The secondary networks are formed through relationships that individuals make during community
or religious activities.
Sustainability
Sustainability is another indicator of success of a programme. Sustainability can be through risk reduction and
developing a culture of prevention. According to a study, villagers from Patanka in Gujarat devastated by an earthquake
of 2001 rebuilt their homes stronger than before with humanitarian aid. Farmers severely affected by drought were

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retrained as masons and engaged in building earthquake-resistant houses. Villagers also could access government
funds and created new rainwater-harvesting system that helped their health and crop yields. Similarly in the Samiapalli
village of Orissa, with the help of a local NGO, villagers were involved in the development programme. They built
disaster-proof homes. The houses saved both lives and livelihoods when the super cyclone of October 1999 hit the
village.
SECTION–II
Q. 7. Evaluate the guiding principles for Shelter provisions.
Ans. The following is the ten-point guideline prepared by Prof. Ian Davis on temporary shelter provision during
post-Kashmir Earthquake of 2005:
1. Monitor what is going on: Coordination agencies should be informed about what is going on with regard to
the authority who is deciding on shelter approaches, availability of expertise and the popular wisdom on shelter. The

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dilemmas and conflicts with regard to shelters should also be informed.
2. Tents: A wide variety of tents may be available with different specifications. Some of them are very appropriate
and some may be unsuitable for the climate or the existing conditions in the areas. Special considerations have to be

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made with regard to specifications and standard of the products. Some time officials take wrong decisions in the
procurement of such materials.

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3. Standards: The standards given under the Sphere Project are accepted around the world and these should be
adapted in all temporary shelter schemes. If the local situation requires medication and if it is must, then changes
should be made in the standards.
4. Location of Tents: Tents should be set up in the same locality if the situation allows. Setting up tents in the

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same locality help the affected people to take care of their domestic animals and protect their household belongings.
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5. Shelter Materials: People should be provided shelter materials such as timber, rope, nails, building tools,
wire, roofing, sheeting and plastic sheeting. Skilled volunteers should assist the people in setting up tents.
6. Shelter for Families with Damaged Dwellings: In case of disasters like earthquake, aftershocks cause
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further damage. People should be advised to stay outside their homes in tents. A damaged structure can collapse
when people are lying flat or sleeping. Rapid damage surveys should be carried out to check the risks.
7. Local Advice Centres: Advice centres should be set up in the areas to offer advice with regard to shelters and
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repair and rebuilding of their houses. Volunteer engineers, architects, builders and people should be involved to offer
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advice.
8. Transition Housing: Building transitional dwellings is an appropriate approach to provide rehabs which can
later be replaced by permanent home. Providing shelter, building up the local livelihoods and helping the psychosocial
recovery of the affected people are the objectives.
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9. Debris: Useful debris should be recycled. Disaster cause large-scale destruction and during the clearing
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process vital materials such as timber and masonry debris can be useful. That will also cost in rebuilding of dwellings.
10. Shelter Units: During disasters, commercial firms try to convince officials to place big orders for cardboard,
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plastic, polyurethane, etc. They often cost far more than tents and shelter materials. They can also be harmful to the
environment and can take much time to deliver. These aspects should be taken care of while deciding on shelter.
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Q. 8. Briefly bring out various disaster management strategies.

Ans. The following principles should be followed for adopting any strategy for disaster management:
(i) Inculcating a culture of disaster prevention in various stakeholders.
(ii) Finding out major issues that can be addressed in the process of development.
(iii) Involving all levels of government for disaster risk reduction.
(iv) An equitable, consistent and fair mechanism need to be evolved for effective disaster management.
(v) All stakeholders should exchanged information with transparency.
(vi) Local conditions and environment should be considered.
(vii) Effective and sustainable strategies should be devised.
(viii) Approach to manage disasters should be integrated.

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The Yokohama Strategy emphasised that prevention, mitigation and preparedness for disaster are better than
disaster response in reaching the goals. The Yokohama Strategy aimed at saving human lives and protecting assets.
It focused on the following:
(i) Promoting culture of prevention worldwide.
(ii) A policy of self-reliance for vulnerable community and country should be adopted.
(iii) Providing education and training in disaster management.
(iv) Developing human resources and capacities of institutions involved in R&D.
(v) Allowing people to take part actively.
(vi) Programmes focusing on community-based approaches should be introduced.
(vii) Making legislation and administrative action need to be taken for effective disaster management.
(viii) Private sector should be actively involved in risk reduction efforts.

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(ix) The UN system in disaster reduction has to be strengthened.
The International Strategy of Disaster Reduction (ISDR) which was introduced in 2001 states that appropriate
disaster reduction strategies and initiatives at the national and international level can strengthen the human capacities

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to deal with disaster situation. It suggested community participation as a successful disaster reduction policy. It
emphasised on the need to buildup disaster resilient societies. It says active participation of the communities can

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save human live and protect assets.
The 2005 Hyogo Conference on Disaster Reduction pointed out the gaps in the Yokohama strategy:
(i) Governance with regard to organisational, legal and policy frameworks.
(ii) Risk identification, assessment, monitoring and early warning.

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(iii) Management of knowledge and education.
(iv) Minimising disaster risk.
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(v) Disaster preparedness.
The framework for Action for 2005-2015, adopted by the conference, have the following strategies:
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(i) Integration of disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and risk reduction into sustainable development
policies.
(ii) Strengthening capacities at all levels.
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(iii) Effective incorporation of risk reduction approaches into in various disaster management programmes.
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A comprehensive approach should be adopted to handle disasters. A new trend with effective, holistic, and
proactive disaster management strategies are emerging. Total Disaster Risk Management Approach (TDRM) builds
on the achievements of the International Decade of Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR), the International Strategy
for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) and other existing endeavours. USAID’s Disaster Mitigation Strategic Objective
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focuses on preparedness and effective response.

The beneficiary groups targetted by this strategy are:
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(i) Vulnerable section such as women, children and disable people.

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(ii) Emergency service providers such as first responders.

(iii) Public and private partners such as NGOs, aid agencies, banks and insurers.
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(iv) Governments, armed forces, police and officials involved in disaster management.
The following are the components of this strategy:
(i) Increased Community Preparedness to Mitigate and Manage Disasters: It includes:
(a) disaster planning at community level.
(b) disaster mitigation measures.
(c) Campaigns to improve awareness among various stakeholders.
(d) Training for First responder.
(e) Preparedness for medical exigencies.
(f) Adopting best practices.
(g) Introducing effective early warning systems.
(h) Weather forecast.

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(ii) Improved Capacity of Public and Private Partners to Meet Critical Needs of Vulnerable Groups in
Disaster Situations: It comprises:
(a) Providing training for effective Incident command systems.
(b) Implementation of successful search and rescue operations.
(c) Stockpiling of essential supplies for relief.
(d) Providing education and training for building capacities.
(e) Proper coordination of resources of relief and resources.
(iii) Facilitated and Expedited Reconstruction and Rehabilitation in Accordance with Sound and Equitable
Standards: It includes:
(a) Strengthening the structure of public buildings.
(b) Providing support for stockpiling of inputs for reconstruction.

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(c) Assist small-scale enterprises affected in the disaster.
(d) Conducting training for masons on disaster-resistant structures.
(e) Setting up information system for transparency and equity in disaster response.

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The strategy focuses on the following:
(i) Institutionalizing National Systems and Capacities: The Indian government has made strategy for disaster

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prevention. The disaster management measures have been incorporated into the planning. It was in the Tenth Five
Year Plan, Disaster Management has got special attention in the country. It emphasized that all development policies
should be sensitive towards disaster mitigation. It suggested that the development ceases to be sustainable if disaster
reduction and mitigation are not taken into consideration. The Twelfth Finance Commission further modified the

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approach towards disaster management.
(ii) Constitution of Disaster Management Authorities at National, State and District Levels: The government
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set up the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in December 2005. The Prime Minister of India as the
Chairperson of the NDMA and other members are nominated by the PM. NDMA makes policies, plans and guidelines
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for disaster management for effective disaster management. Disaster Management Authority has been set up at the
state and district level also. The Chief Minister is the ex-officio Chairperson of the State authority and other members
are nominated by the CM. It makes policies and plans for disaster management at the State level. District Collector
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is the chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority.

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(iii) Strengthening Governance Mechanisms at the Local Level: The new approach to disaster management
is giving importance to the mechanism set up and available for disaster management at the grassroots levels.
The District Disaster Management Plan (DDMAP) has been chalked out as an effective strategy to address the
district’s response to disaster situations. It is the institutional framework needed for managing disaster situations at
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the lower levels.

The functions of DDMAP are:
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(a) Looks after the disaster preparedness through analyses of risk and vulnerability.
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(b) Ensure that various agencies at the district level have required resources and facilities to meet the emergency
situations.
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(c) Make use of new technology in Remote Sensing, Geographical Information System for the disaster
preparedness plan; and
(d) Prepare a framework for successful documentation of any disaster in the district.
At the village level the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) has been constitutionally empowered to take decision
on sensitisation, training and orientation of PRI members for effective disaster management. Various programmes
with regard to land improvement, education, minor irrigation and poverty eradication programmes have been launched
and the PRIs can incorporate mitigation measure in these projects at the lower levels.
The local authorities can take responsibility and provide direction to the victims and contribute in long-term
reduction of risk.
According to Osborne and Gaebler, who advocated the entrepreneurial government concept, says the government
should be a catalyst and facilitator. It should define problems and assemble resources and improve coordination

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between NGOs and the community. The strategy should be building the capacities of local governments in the
following ways:
(a) Human Resource Development will equip the local government officials with an understanding about
hazards, risks and capacities in the areas.
(b) Institutional Development will strengthen capacity to deal with disasters.
(c) Legislative Development enables local.
(iv) Building Community Resilience: different approaches:
Features Traditional Community-based
Who is concerned? Public and private institutions The affected community
How is the participation? It is token and not active Take an active role

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How is process of decision-making? It is top down It is bottom up
Who are the main actors? Programme staff members Community members are
are involved in various activities involved

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Sources of resources Based on various programmes Resources are internal sources

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What is the key method used? Services are extensive Organizing community

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Effects on local coping capacity Creates dependent community Empowers community
Source: Proceedings of Third Disaster Management Practitioner’s Workshop for Southeast Asia, 2004.
The risk reduction message has to be broadened for a wider impact on managing disasters. For example, the

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community efforts in the drought affected village Zaheerabad in Medak District of Andhra Pradesh shows the right
help the communities buildup their resilience.
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A Local NGO, Deccan Development Society (DDS), employs the following strategies to help boost local resilience:
(i) Set up women’s collectives and motivated the villagers for collective farming by women folks
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(ii) Launched programmes to restore arid land for farming of various crops
(iii) Promoting plantation and watershed management for water harvesting; and
(iv) Set up community grain fund to support the farmers.
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DDS has adopted three principles in its strategy –local production, local storage and local consumption. It
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reintroduced customary farming practices, facilitated availability of grains at the subsidised rates and the money
earned becomes a revolving fund.
DDS introduced the idea of a seed bank to rescue traditional crop varieties which can thrive in arid conditions.
The change in the village has happened and it is purely based on knowledge, skills and internal resources of the
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community.
(v) Reducing the Vulnerabilities of the Communities at Risk: Vulnerability implies deficit of capacities in
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the community at risk. Identification of vulnerabilities and their analysis is thus required.
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Disasters affect the livelihoods the most. Agriculture gets disturbed, traditional and crafts industries get a setback.
Thus the livelihoods should be strengthened.
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The Sustainable Livelihoods (SL) approach is an important organizing framework for various stakeholders
involved. SL recognises a range of strengths and assets called capitals to sustain a livelihood. They are:
(a) Natural Capital such as water, land, forests and minerals.
(b) Financial Capital such as income and savings.
(c) Human Capital in the form of knowledge, skills, health and physical ability.
(d) Social Capital in the forms of mutual social assistance.
(e) Physical Capital such as infrastructure, goods and services.
The government of India has launched a number of programmes to reduce the vulnerability of communities by
strengthening the employment and livelihood. Some programmes include Food for Work, Drought Prone Area
Programme and Integrated Child Development Scheme.

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Facilities have also been created for Micro-finance for the villagers. A seven-year livelihood security project
Jeevika has been launched by the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) with the support from International
Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the World Food Programme (WFP), Government of India and Government
of Gujarat.
A programme on ‘The Role of local level institutions in reducing vulnerability to natural disasters’ has been
started by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The aim is to promote local capacities and local organizations
to take part actively in the design and implementation of locally adopted disaster management strategies. It has been
introduced in many developing countries including Argentina, Vietnam, Philippines, South Africa and Iran.
Its major strategies are:
(a) Incorporating disaster management measures in rural development planning.
(b) Disaster management planning at the community levels.

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(c) Integrated watershed management and land use.
(d) Developing social capital and improving social safety nets.
(e) Building up local knowledge on risk identification and monitoring and early warning.

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(f) Vulnerability assessments and monitoring.
(vi) Fostering Public-Private-People Partnerships: Public-private partnerships is an effective strategy to deal

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with disasters. This approach helps in mobilising private funding and technology and brings all the concerned
stakeholders on one platform. The community gains the benefits.
In reconstruction programme in Gujarat after the earthquake, the government of India partners with the Builders
Association of India (BAI) and Construction Federation of India (CFI) for the Housing Reconstruction Programme.

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The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) plays a major role in eliciting the support from corporate houses in
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disaster management activities.
In Public-private-people partnerships, a horizontal relationships and networks in the governance process get
promoted. For example, the role of Federal Management Agency (FEMA) in the US focus on preventing the damage
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from disasters through a public private and joint inter-governmental effort and it has been successful.
FEMA works closely with the government officials to improve evacuation plans. They tie up with the construction
industry to build hurricane resistant houses. FEMA has thus adopted a complex network-based approach.
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