Dominic Yazokie
The Government of India had set up a High Powered Committee (HPC) on Disaster Management in August 1999, headed by J.C. Pant, Former Secretary to the GOI as its Chairman. The HPC submitted its ‘Report’ with a theme ‘Building a Culture of Prevention….’ in October 2001. The Report strongly advocated for a new culture of disaster management and for a paradigm shift towards Prevention, Reduction and Preparedness rather than Relief.
The HCP emphasised that “the focus of planning must shift to taking a look at the whole cycle of disaster rather than only the post disaster relief and rehabilitation aspects” and suggested to “provide a new conceptual framework” and to “ushering in a new culture of disaster management which will stand on the four pillars of : ‘Culture of Preparedness’; ‘Culture of Quick Response’; ‘Culture of Strategic Thinking’ and ‘Culture of Prevention’.
1. Culture of Preparedness: The culture of preparedness can be inculcated by mobilising and utilising the following resources: Mapping – GIS/Digital maps; Remote sensing – satellite prediction; Information Database – resource inventories; Planning – horizontal and vertical planning for survival; Forecasting, warming and Alert Systems – communication and information links; Structural Measures – safe design and materials retrofitting; Human Resource Development – trainings; Rehearsals and Drills – at public institutions; Fire service – fire safety measures and exists; Civil Defence and Home Guards – trained and equipped as first responders; Armed Forces – for hep in emergency short during; and Youth Movement – for grass-root mass movement
2. Culture of Quick Response: The quick response is greatly dependant on the degree of preparedness and depends on availability of: Response Mechanism (Trigger Mechanism); Early warning system; Networking/co-ordination structure; Check-list/Manuals of Disaster Management Bodies; State of the art Control Rooms; Emergency Support Function; Communication facilities; Teams (Medical, Search and Rescue); Incident Command System; Equipment; Delivery of Relief; and Help Lines.
3. Culture of Strategic Thinking: The integration of all development plans with disaster-mitigation by ensuring minimum risk of hazard and vulnerability in structures such as buildings, roads, bridges etc. Strategic thinking can be acquired through Media and other informative organisations and sources.
4. Culture of Prevention: This culture is possible through pre-emptive measures, through legislations – of rules, incorporation of disaster awareness in colleges and schools curricula, strengthening of the lifeline facilities ie, water, roads, phones etc involvement of public and communities, coordination with NGOs such as Municipalities and Indian Red Cross and by diversification of corporate establishments away from crowded areas.
The high powered committee recommended that a time frame and a funding pattern be adopted for attaining the ‘Cultures’.
(A DIPR feature)
