Editorial Advisors: KEY IDEA Dr. Ian Davis Cranfield University, UK Towards Community Managed Kala Peiris De Costa Siyath Foundation, Sri Lanka Risk Khurshid Alam Independent Researcher and Consultant, s one born 10 feet beneath sea level in the northern part of Holland, I can Dhaka, sympathise with flood victims. Indeed, the landscape I grew up in is Madhavi Malalgoda Ariyabandu A testimony of the Dutch people's struggle with water, and scarred with the International Strategy for Risk Reduction (ISDR) – South Asia, remains of battles lost. The dike burst in 1916 that threatened to flood Sri Lanka Amsterdam has left many small, but deep lakes at the inside of our supposedly Mihir R. Bhatt safe flood barriers. In 1995, I was surprised to meet flood refugees seeking All Disaster Mitigation Institute, shelter in my own house, at a time when a similar disaster nearly occurred in India the southern parts of the , due to unexpected swelling of its main Dr. Rita Schneider – Sliwa rivers. Basel University, Switzerland Dr. Satchit Balsari, MD, MPH There is no escaping the hazards in this world, not in my home country and The University Hospital of Columbia not, as you all know, in South Asia. The main story of this issue is very clear and Cornell, New York, USA on the rampage caused by the 2007 in . It is very specific on the assistance to be rendered immediately after the floods. AIDMI is right in This special issue of pointing to the state authorities responsibility in prompting, facilitating and southasiadisasters.net is the third of a series of three on flooding in South coordinating relief efforts. As well as correct in referring to the large number Asia. In this issue the Bihar floods and of local NGOs, that, together with their international counterparts can play a AIDMI's response is explained and pivotal role in helping flood victims. Yet, the overview of the devastating lessons from ICIMOD are presented in effects of the 2007 rainy season begs the question: "Could more have been dealing with flash floods in done to lessen the impact of the flooding? " mountainous areas. It discusses the World Urban Forum to be held in in 2008, which will address urban Cordaid, with its overseas partners, has some experience with seasonal floods issues with an emphasis on the flooding and ways of softening their blow. Our latest insights take stock of poor, and analyses how lessons from the importance of good coordination as well as valuing the respective roles the 2001 earthquake recovery authorities, international and national NGO's need to play. Lessons learned can be used in responding to the recent point to the need for aid workers to be well trained, well informed and floods in Bihar. This issue closes the special series on flooding in South Asia. equipped to move swiftly into action when lives and livelihoods are The main message of this series is that threatened. But more important than all this, we have gathered conclusive there should be more communication evidence that investments in preparedness, scenario building and risk between social and technical actors in reduction measures, at community level, pay off handsomely. Cordaid, with flood and disaster management. More its South Asian partners has engaged in a series of workshops to disseminate action and less discussion is needed the notion of community managed Disaster Risk Reduction: local communities in a world of disasters. analyse their disaster risk and translate this into action. Community managed DRR is not another buzz word, it is an age old adagio, since it's the local In this issue people that are so hard hit, it will be up to the local communities to undertake 1. Towards Community decisive and effective counter measures. That is how, over centuries, the Managed Flood Risk 2 Dutch community developed fairly successful ways of managing our flood 2. Reducing Flood Risks: From hazards. That is why AIDMI is right in pointing towards the underlying causes Project to Process Results 3 of the damage, i.e. the lack of overall development in Bihar as a determining 3. Floods in Bihar: Shelter Lessons factor of the severity of the flood impact. Long term, strategic and people from Gujarat Earthquake 3 centered development will be the key to durable risk reduction. Mr. Piet Spaarman 4. The Bihar Floods 2007: Sector Manager Emergency Aid and Reconstruction (Sector 2), Cordaid, The Netherlands A Devastating Disaster 5 5. Flash Floods in Mountain This issue of southasiadisasters.net is designed as a special contribution to the Areas 8 8th Regional Training: Flood Disaster Risk Management Course; October 8–19, 2007, Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC), Asian 6. Floods and Cities: World Institute of Technology (AIT) Bangkok, Thailand. Urban Forum 2008, China 9 2 southasiadisasters.net Special Issue, October 2007 Reducing Flood Risks: From Project to Process Results

f the floods of 2007 are any AJWS and its partners around the organisations as it is to strengthen Iindication of the increasing world, with AIDMI at the forefront, local DRR players. severity of disasters, then believe that national authorities can international and government support local initiatives, while Additionally, one must examine the agencies, donors, aid and remaining consistent with national risks that are inherent within development organisations need to disaster response priorities. Whereas particular social systems. Urbani- increasingly consider the importance national guidance is necessary to create sation, destruction of slums, marginali- of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) a level of uniformity and structure, it sation of indigenous communities based strategic thinking. While there can not be done at the expense of local and forced migration all factor in to is a growing global trend in this involvement. Ultimately, it has to be the impact of disasters. Likewise, by direction, it is still marked by a a two-way dialogue where both local understanding how communities noticeable lack of communication and and national stakeholders build upon learn from past disasters and how partnership between local and support each others' strategies social actors respond to community stakeholders and national level and learn from each other's experience. need, policy makers, donors and policy makers. As long as this gap technical practitioners can work with remains, too little of the community- A key gap in global DRR thinking is communities to develop effective and based knowledge gained in the an overemphasis on DRR as a project sustainable responses. aftermath of a disaster will be rather than as a process. International utilised. and national agencies seem to place The only solace to be found in the their focus on DRR-specific initiatives aftermath of the disastrous floods of Most disaster response thinking is and organisations, discounting the 2007 is the possibility that we will still very top down and donor driven, wider community of community learn from the resilience of the commu- flowing through formal institutional organisations affected by and nities that survived them. It is the role mechanisms and so-called inter- addressing disaster. Many organi- of national and international NGOS national disaster experts. Administra- sations do not define themselves as to document these learnings and tors, scholars, and politicians at the "disaster" players, but nonetheless bring them to national policy makers top determine a national strategy that they end up being first responders due that as we speak are shaping the is often dictated to regional and local to their commitment and recognition international DRR agenda. level authorities; oftentimes without within a community. It is as Matthew Emry, Senior Program Officer, considering the capacity, experiences important to work with and learn Conflict and Emergency Regions or efforts of the community. from these broader development American Jewish World Service, USA Floods in Bihar: Shelter Lessons from Gujarat Earthquake

ood and water relief in Bihar is support given after the devastating district, a community survey among Fat secondary stage. NGOs and the 2001 earthquake in Gujarat. The focus disaster affected people in 10 different public authorities will now be taking of the evaluation was on the way the locations was carried out by AIDMI's up shelter and livelihood recovery victims themselves viewed the local team, as well as interviews with activities further. It may be a good shelter recovery after the passage of 10 different local NGOs, international time to draw lessons from one of the six years. The objective of this review NGOs and governmental agencies more successful shelter reconstru- was to reveal the long-term effects of was conducted. Lessons learnt at this ction processes after Gujarat the shelter recovery work, positive stage from the Gujarat Earthquake Earthquake 2001, to ensure sustainable and negative aspects, as well as (report is under progress) can provide shelter recovery in Bihar. providing useful guidelines for useful guidelines for the upcoming future humanitarian response, such shelter recovery in Bihar. In July and August 2007, the as ongoing flood relief in Bihar. By community based action and research now, more than 80 months have When rebuilding houses after a organisation, All India Disaster passed and one can really see the shattering disaster—may it be floods Mitigation Institute (AIDMI), long-term effects of the shelter relief or cyclones or earthquakes—several , carried out a community and recovery operation after the key points are important to keep in evaluation of the permanent shelter devastating earthquake. In the Kutch mind. First, coordination on state,

Special Issue, October 2007 southasiadisasters.net 3 enabling the legal needs. In flood prone areas, using and policy stronger and longer lasting materials environment. A can to a certain extent limit the problematic aspect of damage caused by the flood waters. the owner driven Building material depots are an easy approach can be that and effective way to move ahead in the beneficiaries Bihar. As there is a limit to how long often are reluctant to people can live in temporary shelters, contribute with the permanent shelters should be money and material, finished as soon as possible and Approximately one million houses were needed to be as they are repeatedly preferably within six months. In reconstructed or repaired after the 2001 Gujarat facing a situation many cases temporary shelter can be earthquake. where NGOs and the avoided, or build in such a way that authorities do not it grows into a permanent shelter district and community level is come up with pledged amount of over time and with pace suitable to absolutely crucial in order to get an support. Owners, even when victims, the owner and not the authorities. efficient shelter relief operation are willing to pay money and labour However, after large scale disasters started, both between different NGOs both when they are sure that the such as the 2001 Gujarat Earthquake as well as between organisations and pledged money and support will and the 2007 Bihar floods, this can be the government. Without multi- come in time, and in full amount, from difficult to achieve without effective sectoral and multi-agency coordi- the NGOs and the authorities. NGO and government coordination nation, shelter recovery may take too across sectors, locations and agencies. long to take off, or may take off with In Gujarat, most of the houses were huge avoidable upfront costs. built in-situ (build at the same spot Although the floods and earthquakes Furthermore, when choosing the as the previous affected house) which as disasters vary in scope and nature, rebuilding approach, lessons from the was the preferred solution from the the key findings from the Gujarat mentioned earthquake evaluation local population. When choosing in- evaluation report process can still be showed that an owner driven situ, the location will be familiar to used as guidelines for the disaster that approach is preferable. This approach the affected population, but especially now is unfolding in the Bihar started in Gujarat by NGOs such as in the case of flooding where the districts. However, to avoid future Abhiyan, CARE, SEWA, ASAG and same areas often get flooded year widespread damage caused by ActionAid and is now refined by after year, relocation can be a better flooding, the underlying causes of SNEHA, NESA, Women's Collective option. Relocation has to be decided flooding will need to be addressed and others in tsunami recovery in by the owner and not pushed by the comprehensively, to avoid that the South India. NGOs or the authorities. When the area is trapped in a vicious cycle of owners lead the relocation process, repeated flooding and devastation. By involving the local flood affected houses have higher population in the rebuilding process, rate of occupancy while the survivors will not only get a where owners are greater ownership to their house, but forced to be relocated, the approach can also have an the occupancy rate is important positive psychological far lower. Design impact by letting the affected people should be familiar to remake their communities. This the affected owner driven approach does not population, as well as mean that NGOs and the government culturally and socially decide the amount and schedule and acceptable. Often, the pace and the owners build the old design can be used structure. Any effective owner driven as reference point, as in approach means that key decisions Kutch, where the are taken by the owner on his or her majority of the houses Press release by the Bihar State Disaster Management own and that the NGOs and the are designed Department in the first week of August 2007 states government support their decisions according to the harsh that 73,784 houses were damaged during the floods, with recourses, technical inputs, and local conditions and causing damage of Rs. 390 million.

4 southasiadisasters.net Special Issue, October 2007 The Bihar Floods 2007: A Devastating Disaster

he South Asian floods of 2007 are particularly vulnerable to being have been flowing above danger Tsome of the worst in living swept away by floodwater. Pregnant levels and Central Water Commission memory, with an estimated 28 women are also in desperate need of sources say that the situation is set to million people affected in India, medical attention, with several continue following incessant rain in Bangladesh and . Food, newborn babies having died from the the catchment areas of these rivers. drinking water and medicine distri- lack of post-natal care in Bihar bution is underway but the scale of between August 1 and August 5, 2007. AIDMI sent a team to Bihar on August the disaster has dwarfed relief efforts. A shortage of qualified doctors also 11, 2007 with a mandate to assess the poses the problem of who will be able situation and if any intervention was The food situation gives "serious to effectively administer the medical deemed feasible, to produce a cause for concern" because of the loss supplies once they arrive. proposal outlining the specifics of this of animals and unfavourable crop intervention. Following meetings prospects following damage to Bihar has been identified by the with the State Disaster Management recently planted crops, according to United Nations as being an area that Department for a guide to the the latest UN update. "Opportunities is particularly badly hit, and with severity of the situation, the AIDMI for replanting once the water has approximately 12 million people representatives met with local NGOs fully recedes are limited as the sowing affected as of August 2007, much more to discuss the situation. Following period of the main cereal season will needs to be done to alleviate introductory discussions that have ended" UN Food and Agriculture suffering in the region. The Bihar focussed on the nature of the work of Organisation (FAO). UNICEF has State Disaster Management the respective organisations, the expressed deep concern about the Department issued the following team spent three days in the field, continuing threat from hunger, figures in the first week of August. visiting affected villages with two disease and malnutrition for the local NGOs, Gram Vikas Parishad millions of children and women Bihar is no stranger to seasonal (GVP) and Samajik Shaikshanik affected by the flooding which has flooding, annually at risk from the Vikas Kendra (SSVK). Three days killed almost 2,800 people in the three effects of increased water flow during were spent visiting the villages to see countries and . Bihar, Uttar the monsoon rains but the flooding the effects of flooding, documenting Pradesh and Assam accounts for 2007 has been particularly severe. it and communicating with the local approximately 25% of national rice Major rivers, including the Budi communities to find out what were production, and whilst cereal produ- Gandak, Bagmati, Koshi and Kamala their most urgent needs. ction in these areas is likely to be Damage by the 2007 Floods in Bihar reduced, output at national level will Total Total affected depend on weather conditions in the affected in in Madhubani coming months according to the FAO. the state district* Districts 19 (of 38) 1 UNICEF and its NGO partners are concerned that standing water could Blocks 175 20 become a breeding ground for Panchayats 971 260 mosquitoes and waterborne diseases Villages 6108 666 and are coordinating the Govern- Population (millions) 11.98 1.61 ment's relief efforts by providing Crop area (million hectares) 1.09 0.14 support for health, nutrition, water Crop losses (Rs. billion) 1.31 0.79 and sanitation. This includes tarpaulin, Houses damaged (number in thousand) 73,784 35,655 water purifying agents (tablets, powder and solutions), oral re- Houses damaged (Rs. million) 390.23 545.8 hydration salts, family hygiene kits Public property damaged (Rs. million) 127.00 374.95 and essential medicines. Forecasts of Human casualties 91 7 more rain threaten people of all ages, Livestock losses 76 12 but elderly and pregnant women are * AIDMI responded food relief operation. Source: GVP, SSVK and Government of Bihar

Special Issue, October 2007 southasiadisasters.net 5 only undertaken aerial surveys as part of an initial response after receiving criticism for its failure to launch relief and rescue operations. However, the people of Bihar find themselves in a desperate situation, and it is time that the government takes action now. The delayed response of the government is possibly a result of the Gautam Goswami scam, the former civil servant who has been accused of misappropriating government funds that were allocated for flood relief. The government has been reluctant to engage in the necessary relief work after the 2007 Bihar floods, but measures should have been taken to Heavy rains and massive floods have damaged infrastructure severely, mainly make the monitoring of funds more roads, small and medium sized bridges, and checkdams and ponds. stringent in order to prevent fraud instead of a policy of inaction whilst The provision of food rations, namely AIDMI, the gravity of the situation people suffer. rice, flat rice, pulse, turmeric and salt calls for a response. An immediate is of primary importance. People short term plan was formulated Prime minister Manmohan Singh has have been without sufficient food through a meeting. The cost of food allocated Rs 2.32 billion from the supplies for at least one month. support for a family of approximately Prime Minister's Calamity Relief Homes have been lost or damaged 6 people for a period of 10 days is Fund for relief exercises in Bihar, and and materials for temporary shelter about Rs 450, and AIDMI has Rs 5.5 billion has already been given; as well as more long term permanent committed to work with GVP and the second instalment of the money shelter plans are needed. The SSVK to provide rations for 500 had not been released because the importance of shelter provision families. A second team has been sent state had not submitted its utilisation should not be underestimated as to Bihar to ensure a rapid response certificate (as per the requirements) further flooding is expected this that is effective across society, but the funds have been released as month and the rains are predicted to including marginalised groups such an exception due to the severity of continue for almost two months. as dalits. the situation. (Indian Asian News Services, August 9) Although emergency relief is not State Government has had difficulties typical of the work undertaken by responding to the disaster and has The government has requested army assistance, four Indian Air Force Materials Needed Procurement helicopters and 6002 boats have been Rice, Flat Rice and Pulse To be procured from the local or engaged to carry out the distribution regional grain wholesale market by of relief amongst the flood affected each partner NGO people. Bihar has also sought central assistance of Rs 32.2 billion for carrying Turmeric Powder and Salt To be procured from the local out relief and rescue operations in its wholesale market by each partner flood-affected areas. It has specifically NGO asked for two million tonnes of wheat Polythene Sheets To be preferably procured from and rice for distribution as relief Patna when compared to the local amongst the flood victims, mostly market both for reasons of quality living on embankments, roads, and the steep prices that prevail in bridges and rooftops. The Chief the local markets on account of huge Minister has also asked the Prime demand for them. Minister to tour the flood-hit areas Bamboo Poles (For propping up To be procured locally and to provide additional assistance polythene sheets) from the disaster relief fund.

6 southasiadisasters.net Special Issue, October 2007 Approximately 30,000 NGOs are registered in the state and many of these do very good work. However, the extent of communication between various responding organisations is not known and there is a limit to what a collection of NGOs and international donor agencies can accomplish. International organisations such as are present but at the time of the AIDMI field visit but had yet to start relief programmes and were still at the intervention assessment stage. If the government were to cooperate effectively and help coordinate their efforts then the response would be much more successful. The office of the Chief Minister is coordinating Almost all districts of Bihar have been hit by the floods. After the initial phase of what official response there is but it immediate relief, AIDMI is now working with the affected communities toward is not open to recognition of the longer-term recovery. extent of the problems facing the building contractors which results in of the state government have all people of Bihar or criticism of the corruption. Many contractors go on contributed too. current response. to become MLAs and Ministers in Bihar; Bihar is one of the most corrupt Bihar is a very fertile area and should Central parts of the state are quite states in India, with 49% of officials enjoy much more prosperity than it hilly, and to the south is the Chota having a criminal conviction against actually does. Vulnerability to Nagpur plateau, formerly part of their name. natural disaster aside, it has suffered Bihar but now within the state of from a lack of development through Jharkhand that was created in 2000. The severity of the flooding in 2007 political apathy and corruption, River flooding and water-logging has has primarily been caused by leaving the people as some of the become a recurring phenomenon prolonged periods of high rainfall most impoverished in the country, since 1954. Before this time, even the and this has been compounded by particularly in rural districts such as strongest river flows did not result increased water flows from the Madhubani. However, efforts focus in too great a loss in terms of human melting Himalayan glaciers. Village on relief once the floods have lives and property, but the roads constructed without adequate happened with little done to address construction of embankments to drainage systems, non-preparedness the underlying causes of the problem control flooding and ensure of the disaster management and once the flood situation eases, the irrigation have caused a problem. department and the delayed response problem of flooding is removed from Whilst effective when controlling the agenda until the next year when average rainfall, heavy rainfall causes the state once again faces the same embankment breaches, depositing threat. Embankments have been the large amounts of silt that renders the control measure of choice and various previously fertile land unusable. The alternatives have not really been embankments then serve to prevent explored bar the proposed river inter- the recession of the flood water, linking project that was hampered by lengthening the period of water- inter-state politics before the logging and increasing the severity environmental impact could even be of the floods that they were designed A house in Bihar state severely damaged assessed. Unless there is a significant to prevent, which has been confirmed by the floods in August. AIDMI is shift in thinking, the situation for the by data analysis of flooding. covering its beneficiaries with people of Bihar is unlikely to change microinsurance against losses to and various reports coming from Embankment construction represents future hazards. flood affected areas paint a harrowing a significant financial opportunity for Source: newsimg.bbc.co.uk picture of human suffering.

Special Issue, October 2007 southasiadisasters.net 7 Flash Floods in Mountain Areas

n order to be able to respond to Iflash floods in a better way AIDMI Secure attended the 'Regional Training on and Sustainable Flash Floods Risk Management in the Livelihoods for ' conference from August Mountain People 1 to August 10, 2007, organised by the Conservation Empowerment, International Centre for Integrated of Resources Dignity and Peace Mountain Development (ICIMOD). Physical Economic Social This organisation is an applied research Security Security Security and development organisation which strives to change mountain vulnera-  bilities into security and sustaina- bility for poor and marginalised peoples. Together with its partners Insecure ICIMOD works on peoples' economic, and Unsustainable Livelihoods for social and physical vulnerability in Mountain People the Greater Himalayan region. This Degradation Powerlessness, region includes Afghanistan, of Resources Alienation and Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Conflict Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. Physical Economic Social ICIMOD further ICIMOD main Vulnerability Vulnerability Vulnerability programmes concern Natural ICIMODs approach and conceptualisation of the change from vulnerabilities into Resources Management; Agriculture securities. and Rural Income Diversification, Water, Hazards and Environmental equity and environmental long term rehabilitation to disaster Management, Culture, Equity, Gender sustainability. affected people of Gujarat, Tamil and Governance, Information and Nadu, Pondichhery, Jammu & Knowledge Management, and Policy AIDMI and ICIMOD: Kashmir and Bihar. Besides these and Partnership Development. It AIDMI has been working in disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts, further provides trainings, field since 1989 Gujarat drought and AIDMI has planned and organised publications and fosters projects as continuously responding the disaster various community based disaster well. ICIMOD is committed to affected communities from its preparedness training programmes prosperous and secure mountain establishment. AIDMI has used for the affected communities for communities working on peace, participatory approach for providing future disaster. The regional training workshop organised at ICIMOD has provided a great help AIDMI in term of better conceptual understanding. AIDMI training team would surely apply the learnt the concept i.e. Social Hazard Mapping and Assessment and Understanding and Identifying Local Knowledge on Flash Floods Preparedness, in future community based trainings. Inclusion of these concepts would certainly strengthen the training course and will generate more interest among the participants. Besides the training, AIDMI has carried out many researches in disaster affected areas. So, the research Regional Training conference on Flash Floods Risk Management in the Himalayas, team will certainly use the concepts August 1 to August 10, 2007, ICIMOD Secretariat, Kathmandu. in future researches.

8 southasiadisasters.net Special Issue, October 2007 Floods and Cities: World Urban Forum 2008, China

IDMI has been asked to assist in Asetting the conference agenda for the World Urban Forum 2008. In this article we will explore AIDMI's role.

Urbanisation: Problem or Challenge? Unsustainable patterns of production and consumption, particularly in industrialised countries, environ- mental degradation, demographic changes, widespread and persistent poverty, and social and economic inequality have local, cross-national and global impacts that affect human settlements. It is projected by UN- HABITAT that in the next fifty years Many lives in an unimaginably miserable condition behind skyscrapers in developing two-third of the world's popu-lation megacities. For example, in Dharavi slums in Mumbai shown in the picture above, five will live in cities. Therefore, it is clear hundred families share one communal toilet! One million people live in an area of that much more attention for urban approximately 1.5 sq km. Promoting living standard of the urban poor and discouraging areas is needed. migration into slums should be a primary agenda of the World Urban Forum 2008.

The UN-HABITAT World Urban adequate security, security of tenure, The agenda recognises that there is a Forum (WUF) was created after a structural stability and durability, need to improve human settlements merge of the Urban Environmental adequate lighting, heating, ventilation, and the quality of life, economic and Forum and the International Forum adequate basic infrastructure, such as social and to ensure environmental on Urban Poverty, to strengthen water-supply, sanitation and waste- protection. These aspects should be a international coordination and management facilities, suitable component of sustainable develop- support for the Habitat Agenda UN- environmental quality and health- ment focussed on shelter. HABITAT. Also, Agenda 21-the UN- related factors; and adequate and programme on sustainable develop- accessible location with regard to The goals and principles of the ment into the - provides work and basic facilities. These should agenda are as follows: input for the Habitat Agenda and the be available at an affordable cost. • Equitable human settlements World Urban Forums. The WUF was without discrimination in any established to examine and discuss According to the Habitat Agenda, the form human settlements in the context of most serious problems confronting • Eradication of poverty is essential rapid urbanisation in the last decades. cities and towns and their inhabitants • Sustainable development is a include inadequate financial prerequisite for human To understand how this works we resources, lack of employment settlements and development. will first explore the Habitat Agenda. opportunities, spreading homelessness However, people also have to and expansion of squatter settlements, take their responsibility. Also, The Habitat Agenda increased poverty and a widening partnerships are needed to This agenda describes the objectives, gap between rich and poor, growing achieve sustainable development principles, commitments and a insecurity and rising crime rates, • Access to basic goods, services global plan for action to fulfil the inadequate and deteriorating and public means is needed mission of UN-HABITAT. This building stock, services and infra- • The family is a basic unit of society mission is "to promote socially and structure, lack of health and • There should be solidarity with environmentally sustainable human educational facilities, improper land vulnerable and disadvantaged settlements development and the use, insecure land tenure, rising traffic groups in society achievement of adequate shelter for congestion, increasing pollution, lack • Physical, mental and environ- all". However, adequate shelter of green spaces, inadequate water mental health are basic needs means more than a roof over one's supply and sanitation, uncoordinated head. It also means adequate privacy, urban development and an increasing Prerequisites to achieve the mission adequate space, physical accessibility, vulnerability to disaster. of UN-HABITAT are:

Special Issue, October 2007 southasiadisasters.net 9 • sustainable human settlements • Conduct need assessments • Managing fragile ecosystems: • Enablement and participation with special attention for combating desertification – Support progress and vulnerable groups and drought support for all people • Capacity building and institu- • Promoting sustainable agri- – Promote gender equality as tional development: decentra- culture and rural development well as emancipation of other lisation, civil participation, • Environmentally sound vulnerable groups settlement and metropolitan management of biotechnology – Encourage community based management • Protection of the quality and activities to reduce poverty • International cooperation and supply of freshwater – Promote capacity building coordination through technology resources: application of • Financing human settlement transfers and information integrated approaches to the programmes exchange development, management • International cooperation and • Also an implementation and a and use of water resources partnerships follow up clause are included. • Environmentally sound management of toxic chemi- The Agenda also outlines a Global We will now explore a second cals, including prevention of plan for action in which the programme used as input for the illegal international traffic in government is stated to be the main World Urban Forum: Agenda 21. toxic and dangerous products responsible actor in achieving the • Environmentally sound st goals of the UN-HABITAT. Most Agenda 21: Sustainability into the 21 management of solid wastes important points for action are: Century and sewage-related issues • To provide shelter and shelter This UN programme was published • Safe and environmentally delivery at the UN Conference on Environment sound management of • To address vulnerable groups and and Development (UNCED), or Earth radioactive wastes people with special needs first Summit '92, in Rio de Janeiro, 1992. It • Sustainable human settlements is created around the concept of 3. Strengthening the role of major in an urbanising world through: sustainability, defined by the UN as groups: – Sustainable land use follows: "development that meets the • Global action for women – Social development need of the present without compro- towards sustainable and – Population development: mising the ability of future generation equitable development monitoring distribution of of future generations to meet their population growth, demo- own needs". Agenda 21 calls for a • Children and youth in graphic aspects and more. global partnership for sustainable sustainable development – Environmental sustainability development and emphasises the • Recognising and – Sustainable energy use responsibilities of national govern- strengthening the role of – Sustainable transport and ment and the need for more financial indigenous people and their communication systems resources from developed countries communities Strengthening – Conservation and in achieving this. The key elements the role of non-govern- rehabilitation of historical of Agenda 21 are outlined below: mental organisations: partners and cultural heritage for sustainable development – Improving urban economies 1. Social and economic dimensions: • Local authorities' initiatives – Balanced development of • International cooperation to in support of Agenda 21 settlements in rural regions accelerate sustainable develop- • Strengthening the role of – Disaster prevention, mitigation, ment in developing countries workers and their trade unions preparation and post-disaster and related domestic policies • Strengthening the role of capabilities • Combating poverty business and industry • Institutionalisation of • Changing consumption • Scientific and technological disaster prevention patterns community support • Ensure participation of • Protecting and promoting • Strengthening the role of local and/or affected human health conditions farmers people in disaster planning • Integrating environment and and management development in decision- 4. Means of implementation: • Disseminate information making • Financial resources and on disaster resistant mechanisms construction methods 2. Conservation and management • Transfer of environmentally • Maintain infrastructure of resources for development: sound technology, cooperation • Ensure protection of • Protection of the atmosphere and capacity-building dangerous industrial sites • Combating deforestation

10 southasiadisasters.net Special Issue, October 2007 • Promoting education, public WUF-3 Our Future: Sustainable • Hydrological aspects (rivers, awareness and training Cities - Turning Ideas into Action ponds, etc.) • National mechanisms and • Cities and the Millennium • Infrastructure international cooperation for Development Goals • Protection measures capacity-building in develop- • Public Engagement: The • City planning and management ing countries Inclusive Approach AIDMI and the fourth session of the • International institutional • Ideas for City Finances World Urban Forum arrangements • Urban Safety and Security • International legal instru- • Urban Planning and Management The WUF-4 will further focus and disaster management and prepared- ments and mechanisms • Cities and energy ness. Discussions, workshops and • Information for decision- • Water, Sanitation and Human seminar around the theme 'Sustainable making Settlements Relief and Reconstruction (SRR)' will • The Role of Local Governments: be held. During the 21st session of the This agenda is stated by the UN as a • The future of Cities global plan of action with a focus on Governing Council of the United Nations Human Settlements environmental issues. Now we It appears that concern and attention understand the background of the Programme -Kenya, April 2007- for disasters—human made and AIDMI was invited to be one of the World Urban Forum let us look at natural—increased in the course of the organising members of the agenda the key elements of the first three forums. In the first session disaster of WUF-4 and to actively contribute sessions of the forum. preparedness is only mentioned once, to the forum in terms of workshops as a part of sustainable development. and trainings. As a community based, The World Urban Forums In the second session, disaster action research, planning and WUF-1 preparedness and aspects of advocacy organisation, AIDMI wants • The sustainability of cities vulnerability are again mentioned in to share its experiences and current • The role of cities in national and relation to sustainability. Further, activities in acting on disasters and international development there is more attention for the to stimulate thinking and discussing • The management of the HIV/ changing nature of armed conflicts about disaster management and AIDS pandemic at the local and natural disasters. A call is made relief. The focus of AIDMI will be on level. for a review of current ways of its activities and experiences with • Role of local authorities and disaster relief. In addition, links natural disaster such as the 2004 other Habitat Agenda partners between relief and development are Tsunami and the numerous floods in • decentralisation discussed as well as roles and Gujarat and other states in India. This • City-to-city cooperation responsibilities of government forum will be an important global • International role of NGOs authorities at all levels. WUF 2 platform for organisations and other • Cities without slums presented disasters as "opportunities involved actors involved in disaster- and flood management. As we can • Monitoring and assessment of for sustainable development". In the learn from this issue and the previous urban conditions and trends third session of the World Urban two on floods, more attention for • Data collection, analysis and Forum, disasters are mentioned in flood preparedness and mitigation is development of monitoring relation to growth and environment needed. AIDMI will use lessons from systems and urban observatories of cities. Also, in this session, disasters its activities and its issues of are seen as one of the constraints to southasiadisasters.net on flooding to human security and safety. Disasters WUF-2 Cities: Crossroads of cultures, contribute to this important forum. inclusiveness and integration? in this respect, are often mentioned Sources: together with crime and violence, e.g. Urban: 1. http://ww2.unhabitat.org/uf/ it is stated that delinquencies can • cultural aspects of cities introduction.htm • best practices and successful flourish in the aftermath of a disasters. 2. http://www.unhabitat.org/ policies Further, a call was made to downloads/docs/ • governance contextualise lessons and best 1176_6455_The_Habitat_Agenda.pdf 3. Reports of the first, second and • decentralisation and democrati- practices of cities and settlements as cities are -obviously- very different third session of the World Urban sation Forum, available at source 1. from each other in terms of: • poverty and slum dwellers 4. http://www.un.org/esa/ • resources to improve shelter • Population: density and sustdev/documents/agenda21/ • sustainability distribution english/agenda21toc.htm • services: water and sanitation • Social geography and culture 5. http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/ documents/agenda21/index.htm • disasters and reconstruction • Geography

Special Issue, October 2007 southasiadisasters.net 11 Bihar Flood and Relief Madhubani is one of the poorest districts in the state, affected badly by the floods 2007. Around 500 people died and 3,00,000 people have been affected. Around 75,000 hectors of agricultural lands have been destroyed. AIDMI responded in this district with food relief operation, targeting marginalised dalit section of the affected populations. AIDMI has distributed 25 kg of food grains to 2085 families in 26 villages.

Uden village in Benepatti Block Food relief center at Jhanjarpur Flood victims gathered in one village of Benipati Block of Flood victims are in queue to collect the ration as they lost for collecting the ration. their food grains in the floods.

Food relief center at Jhanjarpure Beneficiaries from Nazra village at a relief center, Uden Each beneficiary received ten days ration materials as per Happy Feelings: Hope for the stable life. the family size.

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