Unit4

Disaster Preparedness and Risk Reduction

Cities are exposed to numerous risks linked to the environment. Some are directly related to the
characteristics of urban settlements; other risks derive from external factors, such as: climate
change, earthquakes, floods or extreme weather events. If a city is struck by a disaster such as
a hurricane, an earth quake or an industrial accident, it can quickly impact the lives of millions of
inhabitants and have a major effect on the country's economy.
Population growth and urban sprawl lead to a spatial expansion of the cities to risk prone areas,
not suitable for human settlements, like slopes, inundation zones or riverbanks which are
exposed to erosion, flooding or landslides. In these situations, the urban poor often have little
alternatives than to settle in areas of high risk.
Scope Disaster Preparedness and Risk Reduction
 support preparedness through early warning systems; 
 provide hazard information for risk assessments, prevention, response and recovery, and risk
transfer across sectors; 
 mitigate existing risks and prevent the creation of new risks; 
 respond to user requirements; and,
 cooperate and engage in disaster risk governance structures at all levels. 
objective Disaster Preparedness and Risk Reduction
The long-term objective of the Programme is to strengthen the technical and functional capacities of
Members, National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NHMSs) and operational and research
networks to provide meteorological, hydrological and climate services that will help reduce the risks of
disasters. This will support decision-making and planning processes in disaster risk and emergency
management. It requires the cooperation of WMO and NMHSs with various stakeholders through
partnerships and engagement in various forums.
structure Disaster Preparedness and Risk Reduction
Ultimate oversight of the Programme is provided by Congress and the Executive Council. Specific
guidance is given by the Executive Council Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction (EC WG/DRR).
Furthermore, DRR focal points in the Regional Associations, Technical Commissions and relevant
programmes (DRR FP RA-TC-TP) ensure coordination with these bodies. In order to support the
implementation of DRR as a WMO priority, as laid out in its DRR Roadmap, the Programme is guided by
a User-Interface Working Groups (UI-WGs) on topics such as hazard and risk assessment, multi-hazard
early warning systems (MHEWS), and disaster risk financing. At the Secretariat, the  DRR Services
Division is under the Weather and  Disaster Risk Reduction Services (WDS) Department.
Eco Disaster Risk Reduction
Well-managed ecosystems, such as wetlands, forests and coastal systems, act as natural infrastructure,
reducing physical exposure to many hazards and increasing socio-economic resilience of people and
communities by sustaining local livelihoods and providing essential natural resources such as food, water
and building materials.
Objectives
As a cross-cutting theme, IUCN’s Ecosystem based approaches to disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR)
activities at the global level are coordinated by the IUCN Ecosystem Management Programme and
supported by the expertise of CEM members. These activities include coordination and communications
about Eco-DRR across IUCN, collecting and disseminating lessons learned about projects and processes
that integrate ecosystem management, sustainable livelihoods and disaster risk reduction at the regional
level. IUCN regional offices are in the forefront of developing innovative approaches to watershed
management, institutional capacity building and collaborative project that integrate disaster risk and
climate change adaptation.
Impact/results to date Eco Disaster Risk Reduction
  Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, where ecosystem-based
disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR) was prominently featured in the outcome document;
 UNFCCC Paris COP 12 agreement features ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation and risk
reduction;
 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), COP 12 and 13 (Decisions XII/20; XIII/4) both
mention ecosystem-based approaches.  The CBD is now in the process of developing technical
guidelines on Eco-DRR and adaptation;
 Ramsar Decision XII/13 regards the importance of wetlands to reducing disaster risk;
 The First World Forum on Ecosystem Governance, and its declaration which also features Eco-
DRR.
Role of local government in a disaster
Your local government has first-hand knowledge of your community's social, economic,
infrastructure, and environmental needs, helping them to provide support in a disaster.
The role of local government under the Disaster Management Act 2003 is to:
 have a disaster response capability
 approve a local disaster management plan
 ensure local disaster information is promptly given to the District Disaster Coordinator.
Local disaster management groups
 develop, review and assess effective disaster management practices
 help local government to prepare a local disaster management plan
 ensure the community knows how to respond in a disaster
 identify and coordinate disaster resources
 manage local disaster operations
 ensure local disaster management and disaster operations integrate with state disaster
management. The Mayor, or another elected member of the council, is the chairperson of
the local disaster management group.
Analysis of functions by the Local Governments
Local government bodies are established as third-tier institutions responsible for administering
small areas and municipalities of a region. Such small areas may be classified as villages,
towns, or cities. This process of shifting of power from central and state government to
local government bodies is deemed to be ‘decentralization’. In a democratic setup, where
citizens are authorized to articulate their opinions, decentralizing plays a key role. In this way,
citizens are able to participate directly in the decision-making process that concerns them. To
put it simply, the local government framework lays emphasis on self-governance.
These local bodies are responsible for performing multiple roles. From ensuring affordable
and efficient civil amenities such as education and healthcare to strategizing planning and
development of the region, local governments promote the well-being of their citizens. People
belonging to their respective communities are more aware of the problems faced by them than
any higher level of government.
 Social infrastructure- Socially, class inequalities and discrimination based on
caste, color, creed, religion, gender, etc. are prevalent in municipalities. Local
bodies work towards improving social harmony in the territory, which in turn helps
in promoting national integration.
 Economic infrastructure- From the economic point of view, problems such as
poverty, unemployment, and lack of resources are common in small areas.
 Political infrastructure- Politically, the administrative functions are enhanced by
direct supervision from the local government. This way, local governments are
required to work towards the overall development of their region. Local
governments receive their funds from state governments. Local governments play
a key role in the economic development of their region. They are responsible for
 providing physical infrastructure which includes transportation and communication
networks, electricity, water supply, waste management, and so on. 
There are three main sources of funds for rural local bodies:
1. Funds channelized by the central government for implementation of the centrally
sponsored scheme
2. Funds received from Central Finance Commission
3. Funds transfer from the state government on the recommendation of the State
Finance Commission.
- Empowering Local Governments in Disaster Preparedness and Risk Reduction
The occurrence of the natural disasters has increased significantly in recent past and this has
resulted in a high number of mortalities and economic and social losses worldwide. This
necessitates the implementation of disaster risk reduction measures in order to achieve a
disaster resilient environment. The risk reduction through improved resilience requires a multi-
sectoral approach with the participation of various stake holders. As such, the local
governments being the first responder and the one responsible for community development,
has a key role to play in achieving society's resilience to disasters. Therefore the purpose of this
paper is to explore the nature and the potential role of the local government in implementing
disaster risk reduction initiatives in development of the society's resilience to natural disasters.
The literature review method has been used to address this potential role of the local
governments in disaster risk reduction and the data and information has been gathered from
research papers on electronic databases along with conference proceedings and reports
published by various institutions. The review of literature reveals that the local government has
a significant role to play in implementing disaster risk reduction initiatives. However several
incidents have been reported on inadequate contribution of local governments in disaster risk
reduction activities
- Community Based Approach
 A community-based approach (CBA)—where those who are affected by an
emergency are included as key partners in developing strategies related to their
assistance and protection—is inextricably linked to both the rights-based
approach and the survivor-centred approach.
 A community-based approach insists that people targeted for humanitarian
assistance have “the right to participate in making decisions that affect their lives”
as well as “a right to information and transparency” from those responsible for
providing assistance. By placing beneficiaries, or those UNHCR refers to as
“people of concern” at the heart of operational decision-making, the CBA strives
to ensure:
o Those affected by an emergency will be better protected.
o Their capacity to identify, develop and sustain solutions will be
strengthened.
o Humanitarian resources will be used more effectively
o All strategies for implementing VAWG coordination mechanisms and VAWG
programming must therefore abide by the principles of participation within
a community-based approach, so that women, men, girls and boys affected
by an emergency are empowered to be active and equal partners in VAWG
 policy and strategy development, as well as in programme design and
implementation efforts.
- Disaster Preparedness Measures
Disaster preparedness consists of a set of measures undertaken in advance by governments, organisations,
communities, or individuals to better respond and cope with the immediate aftermath of a disaster,
whether it be human-induced or caused by natural hazards. The objective is to reduce the loss of life and
livelihoods.
Simple initiatives can go a long way, for instance in training for search and rescue, establishing early
warning systems, developing contingency plans, or stockpiling equipment and supplies.
Disaster preparedness plays an important role in building the resilience of communities
Moreover, many of these events occur in fragile and conflict-affected states, thus increasing the
complexity of crises and overburdening countries experiencing violent conflict or fragile governance.
However, improved practice and response mechanisms save lives and strengthen the countries and
communities’ ability to reduce the impact of disasters.
Understanding the occurrence and frequency of natural hazards, as well as the risks, vulnerabilities and
potential impact on people and assets, helps to improve preparedness.
 Support communities in Bangladesh to better forecast and act ahead of monsoon floods
 Advice local governments in the Philippines in scaling up inclusive cash assistance programmes
that reach marginalised urban communities affected by disasters  
 Support national and local governments in Mozambique in using drone and satellite data for
disaster preparedness and to assess the extent of people’s needs following a natural hazard
 Strengthening emergency preparedness and response in the Caribbean through better coordination
of humanitarian logistics in the event of a natural hazard.  
: Constitution of Core team/ Task force
 State or federal court systems
 Defense attorneys
 Local, regional, or state law enforcement
 Victim service providers, nongovernmental organizations (NGO), social service agencies, and/or
legal service agencies already working with victims of trafficking
 Prosecutors (U.S. Attorney’s Office, state and/or district prosecutor’s office)
 Federal law enforcement (FBI, ICE, Homeland Security Investigations)
 Child welfare or child protection agencies
 Juvenile justice and diversion programs
 Social service agency, legal service agency, and/or NGO working with runaway and homeless
youth or at-risk youth
 Social service agency,  legal service agency, and/or NGO working with domestic violence or
sexual assault victims
 Social service agency, legal service agency, and/or NGO working with immigrants
Village Disaster Management Plan
Early Warning Team
Roles and Responsibilities
• Listen to the news and warnings disseminated through All India Radio (AIR), Door Darshan (DD), office
of DPRO, office from Block/Village Level and from Television, etc.
Shelter Management Team
Roles and Responsibilities:
The team would make necessary arrangements to keep proper health and sanitation during their
staying.
• Temporary latrines to be made separately for men and women.
• Special arrange should be made for pregnant women/ailing
. First Aid Team
Try to accompany rescue team in getting the victims/sick and ailing safe to the shelter places. • Make
special arrangement for the pregnant women. • Instruct evacuees to take proper care of their food and
drinking water. • Assure them not be panicked.
Damage Assessment Team
Roles and Responsibilities:
• Check all the lists and make necessary updating. • Make an authentic list of all the damaged lives,
domestic animals, houses, boats, family belongings, community infrastructures, trees, livelihood assets,
etc. • Support the government functionaries to assess the damage.
(All of these teams should not be less than five (5) in numbers according to the size and population of
the village.)
• Women should be encouraged/motivated and be a part of the team.
• There should be one man one post.
• All members are not permanent.
• Newly members should be trained.
• Mock Drills should be organized twice in a year.
• General Awareness relating to Disaster Management should be organized.
• Explain about the Contingency Fund and Insurance to the public.
Capacity building of elected members
The term capacity building perceives with different meanings and interpretations depending on who
uses it and in what context. There is no established, agreed terminology, structure or International
Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development ~ 612 ~ International Journal of Multidisciplinary
Research and Development approaches of the concept. Broadly, it is an all-inclusive concept with varied
interpretations and operationalizations. UNDP (1997) defines capacity building as “the process by which
individuals, groups, organizations, institutions and societies increase their abilities to perform functions,
solve problems and achieve objectives; to understand and deal with their development needs in a
broader context and in a sustainable manner”.
Goals or Fundamental Objectives
o Enhancing the ability of an organization or individual to follow sustainable development
paths.
o Proper utilization of resource capabilities in all dimensions.
o Enhancing the ability to evaluate and address the crucial problems related to policy
choices and modes of implementation among development options.
o Understanding the potentials, limits and needs as perceived by the local citizens of the
area concerned.
o Knowing the institutional and legal framework for making necessary regulatory changes
to enable organizations to achieve the desired goal.
o Focusing on a series of actions towards their knowledge, skills, understandings and
attitudes needed to bring about the desired developmental change.
officials and community
Community official` shall mean: - any person who is an official or other contracted employee within the
meaning of the Staff Regulations of officials of the European Communities or the Conditions of
Employment of other servants of the European Communities, - any person seconded to the European
Communities by the Member States or by any public or private body, who carries out functions
equivalent to those performed by European Community officials or other servants.
Community responsibilities are an individual's duties or obligations to the community and
include cooperation, respect and participation. The concept goes beyond thinking and acting as
individuals to common beliefs about shared interests and life. A basic community responsibility
is voting in elections.
- Use of GIS data for disaster-specific information.
India is vulnerable to natural and manmade disasters. All disasters are spatial in nature.
GIS techniques act as a decision support tool. Decision-making can possible by the analysis
of different GIS layers. Currently, socio-economic and geo-spatial data is useful for the
management and planning of disasters as well as tackling disastrous conditions. Various
departments and agencies are stakeholders using GIS in the disaster management process.
GIS, RS & GPS is useful in disaster management applications & for decision making. The
evolution of computer technology and the availability of hardware is helpful for the rapid
expansion of GIS in both disaster research and practice.
GIS is useful for hazard zone mapping and during emergency conditions mitigation of
people can easily possible using these maps. GIS and RS are much beneficial in mitigation
strategies and preparedness plans. Real-time geographic data can improve the allocation
of resources for response. GIS technologies are much useful in the modeling of disaster
risks and human adaptations to hazards. It also provides a decision support system in
disaster management.