PREFACE People Led District Disaster Management

oon after the Odisha Cyclone and increasing people's capacities to deal several agencies/departments in Sthe Gujarat earthquake, the with underlying social, cultural and Madhubani have shown willingness Government of (GoI) prioritised physical factors. to incorporate prevention measures a national policy on disaster into their regulations, such as the management and advocated a change The key to successful disaster building codes which are used by of direction from a post-disaster management plans is to ensure the town planners to regulate the reactive approach to a proactive involvement of people who are the development of settlements. It was stance before the occurrence of victims, who are at risk, or could be encouraging to note the high level of disasters. The GoI also provided a potential victims. If this is not commitment from various new legal framework and promoted practiced it is often unsustainable, stakeholders to improving DRR the greater harmonisation of disaster costly and ineffective. Most DDMPs mechanisms. management efforts. The policy set in the country lack participation from forth principles (including the affected communities and civil Tearfund has been working along significance of community roles and society. A participatory community- with its partners to lobby active civil society participation), level disaster management approach governments at all levels for policies objectives (including emphasis on involves a cross-section of people in to facilitate the development of prevention, DRR and promoting the design and development process effective people-friendly plans. The regional and national cooperation), of the plan. When local people Madhubani DRR project implemented strategies and provisions for promoting develop these plans there is more by its partner organisation EFICOR inter-sectorial complementarities. interest, greater ownership and along with support from Sphere India understanding, resulting in the in 30 villages in Madhubani was The National Disaster Management successful reduction of suffering and instrumental in the development of Act 2005 mandated national, state and losses. The key principles of this a pilot District Disaster Management district authorities to develop approach thus are: Plan (DDMP). The strength of this policies, guidelines, and plans for the • Communities themselves are best pilot DDMP has been the process as it proper implementation of disaster placed to prioritise threats and take incorporates the involvement and management plans to reduce adverse effective risk-reducing actions. participation of all levels of impacts on communities and to • The best time to reduce the impact stakeholders, from communities to facilitate the timely and effective of disasters is before the next district/state/national government responses to disasters. It stressed the disaster occurs. Hence, preventive authorities. In view of the intensive inclusion of mitigation, actions should be an integral part involvement from all relevant preparedness, and DRR measures into of effective disaster management stakeholders, the pilot DDMP has development activities. As a result plans. received good response and State Disaster Management • The identification and mapping of acceptance from the NDMA and Authorities (SDMAs) in various states hazards along with who and what SDMA. This is considered as the first initiated the development of District may be affected is necessary before ever attempt in developing a DDMP Disaster Management Plans risk reduction plans can be made. which has been based on the active (DDMPs). However, some plans were • Progress has to be well-publicised involvement from first respondents merely a collection of contact phone to maintain interest and strengthen in natural disasters. numbers of important authorities and the culture of disaster reduction. departments from the district. There As mentioned above, the thrust of the were significant gaps in these An example of this is found in the DDMP is that it is being developed operational plans mainly due to the recent NDMA/SDMA collaboration involving affected communities. The non-availability of a standard with civil society to develop a approach has been bottom-up but at planning framework, lack of expertise community-led DDMP for the the same time inclusive of all relevant and dedicated resources. Lack of Madhubani district, . One of the stakeholders, be it government community participation and that of key highlights of the Madhubani departments or NGOs, at all stages of relevant stakeholders in the DDMP process is that though it is developing the plan. This is truly a preparation process also resulted in oriented towards response, it also plan developed by the people and for the lack of ownership among focuses on risk reduction and the people. This plan has also intended users and beneficiaries. prevention. Incidentally, prevention influenced many other civil societies has been recognised as an important to take up similar preparations for Disasters tend to happen to people at aspect of DDMPs and poverty other districts and states with the risk. People are at risk because they reduction strategies by the district support of the NDMA. are vulnerable to hazards. This and state disaster management – John Samuel, Country Program vulnerability can be best reduced by authorities. As a result of the DDMP Specialist for Tearfund UK.

2 southasiadisasters.net December 2012 MAKING DISTRICT DISASTER MANAGEMENT PLAN PROCESS Puri District Disaster Management Plan

he conference location, just Dr. Kamal Lochan Mishra from the its development. He encouraged Twalking distance away from OSMDA mentioned the astonishing fact participants to give their suggestions Puri beach which has witnessed that the Odisha coast was the most hit (98 and one attendee, a traffic police tsunamis, floods and cyclones in times) by cyclones and tsunamis in the inspector, drew upon his own the past, was most appropriate to history of India for the period 1891-2000. experience to bring up the very start the process of developing Based on past trends, he made the important point that it is essential to Puri's District Disaster important observation that Puri district have fully dedicated people to manage Management Plan (DDMP). The may be affected 3 times in a season, i.e. the crisis response. round table conference conducted in the first week of July, the second week saw the District Collector of Puri, of August and the 4th week of September. Later on, a few NGOs that included Shri N.K. Nayak inaugurate the He said that a study showed that the Indo- the Society for Women Action conference and many other Burmese tectonic plates were weak and Development, Practical Action and stakeholders participate in it, could become a cause of another tsunami Save the Children gave presentations including Deputy Collectors, on the Odisha coast. Even the river which discussed their perspectives Tehsildars, BDOs (Block Mahandi had low capacity and that could and the work they had done which Development Officers), Dr. Kamal mean increased flood duration. Dr. can be used for this project. Lochan Mishra from the OSDMA Mishra also stated that when coastlines (Odisha State Disaster are hit by cyclones or tsunamis, orderly Finally, as the session drew to a close, Management Authority), Shri rehabilitation in 3 layers (0.5 km, 1 km, the District Collector of Puri said that Mihir R. Bhatt from AIDMI (All 1.5 km) based on the distances from the while involvement of field staff in India Disaster Mitigation sea is needed. It was mentioned that there planning processes would be Institute), and Shri Munish are 90 villages which fall within 2 kms of beneficial, there was a need to have Kaushik, from Cordaid. Some key the coastline and hence are extremely the right team of committed people international and local NGOs, as vulnerable. who showed interest to deliver when well as rural management the need was greatest. He called upon students, also were at the event. It Shri Mihir Bhatt from AIDMI stated that his team of BDOs to show more was convened by CENDERET, the DDMP initiative is the third of its kind sensitivity when addressing this XIMB. which emphasises community issue. participation in the planning phases. He – Jaya Krishna Behera, Coordinator, The District Collector, Shri N.K. gave an overview of the entire plan and Eastern Odisha Resource Centre (EORC) Nayak, in his inaugural speech what parameters they are looking at in XIMB-CENDERET - BBSR, Odisha talked about the widespread loss of life and property that disasters create and how disaster prevention has always been neglected. He said that while response mechanisms have improved considerably since the 1999 super- cyclone, a lot of work needs to be put into preparing a comprehensive disaster plan which includes better preparation and response mechanisms in accordance with the kind of technology that exists today. He pointed out that while we are pushed to take action in times of disasters, a lot more needs to be Roundtable conference on 'Making Inclusive DDMPs for Puri District'. done when there are no crises. Until unless specified all photographs of this publication are by AIDMI. December 2012 southasiadisasters.net 3 THEMATIC District Disaster Management Plan of West Champaran

he Bihar Inter-Agency Group T(BIAG), along with the All India Disaster Mitigation Institute (AIDMI) and Caritas India, with the support of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) will revise the District Disaster Management Plan (DDMP) for West Champaran, Bihar. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had also requested NGOs to pilot the revision of DDMPs for a few districts across the country. The DDMPs had never been reviewed before by the NDMA, despite the existing guidelines of the National District-level stakeholder's consultation with line departments on Hazard, Institute of Disaster Management Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (HVCA) in West Champaran. (NIDM) and offer of support from the United Nations Development the erroneous identification of major West Champaran was presented by Programme (UNDP). hazards and an erroneous plan. Shri Shridhar, Chairman of the DDMA for West Champaran in the This revision process acts as a move Another round of consultations was presence of Shri Anil Sinha, Vice towards making inclusive DDMPs. held on the framework for the West Chairman of the BSDMA. The process was initiated in May 2012 Champaran DDMP. The draft when the concept of 'inclusive framework provided by the NDMA The process of this revision was very DDMPs' was shared with Shri was used as a base for the unique, as the DDMA was present Shridhar, District Magistrate of West consultation. The DDMA of West during the first phase of DDMP Champaran. Several meetings with Champaran took the lead in these revision process. Shri Shridhar, the BIAG, Sphere India, and the Bihar consultations whereas agencies such Chairman of the DDMA, agreed to State Disaster Management Authority as AIDMI, the BIAG, and Caritas India take this process forward in the (BSDMA) , were conducted on supported the initiative. District- second phase and will take the revising the DDMP. It was quite a level block level officials, PRI necessary actions for its follow-up. herculean task to bring on board the members, community different stakeholders to jointly take representatives and local NGOs were The second phase will include a the required actions. actively involved in this initiative. micro-analysis of the hazards, The District Magistrate and the vulnerabilities, and capacities of All the relevant stakeholders of West Additional District Magistrate of West some sample panchayats. Section- Champaran were consulted on the Champaran took personal interest in wise drafting committees which will draft Hazard, Vulnerability and inviting stakeholders and organising be headed by members of the DDMA Capacity (HVC) analysis of the these consultations. will be formed. Agencies such as district. The analysis was one of the Caritas India, AIDMI and BIAG will most important parts of the plan as Following a marathon of work as technical agencies and will the entire planning process was based deliberations to finalise the DDMP, a provide support to the DDMA of West on its outcome. Utmost care was taken final consultation was held on 5 Champaran as and when required in in this process, as any error in September, 2012 at the Bettiah district the second phase. identifying the frequency, magnitude headquarters in West Champaran. – Girish Peter and projected impacts would lead to The final framework of the DDMP for State Officer, Caritas India, Bihar

4 southasiadisasters.net December 2012 INFORMATION SHARING Revision of Disaster Management Plan Framework and Process in Gujarat

long with the enactment of the “It has been very challenging to take the people Gujarat State Disaster A from community to sub district, district, state and Management Act in 2003, a Disaster national level together but my conviction to find Management (DM) Plan was developed for all the districts, talukas sustainable solutions through such a principle and panchayats by the Gujarat state based continuously evolving people's process has government in collaboration with the strengthened a lot with the Madhubani UNDP. It was the first such effort in experience.” India to develop and link state, – Vikrant Mahajan district, taluka and panchayat-level Sphere India hazard assessments, action plans and institutional arrangements for The framework was developed incident response systems for each responding to disasters. In the DM through a review of the processes task force. It contains provisions on plans, efforts were made to assess the being practiced and consultations including multi-stakeholder potential risks and vulnerability to with a wide range of stakeholders participation and responsibilities for different hazards and develop from government, UN agencies and coordinated actions. The plan also has response mechanisms in accordance civil society organisations. Best sections on reviewing stakeholders' with the human and technological disaster management practices from capacities to respond to different capacities available at these different other states were also documented. hazards. There are provisions on levels. To support the response The processes followed by Sphere capacity-building activities, mechanisms, Incident Command India to develop a pilot DM plan incorporating stakeholder perspectives Systems (ICS), resource inventories, framework with multi-agency on matters such as social inclusion and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) participation in the Madhubani gender justice, and on giving special were put into place. district of Bihar were also taken into attention to the needs of different consideration. It may be noted here vulnerable groups. The plan has a In the last ten years, the DM planning that the proposed DM framework in section on both structural and non- process has provided many lessons. Gujarat is currently focused at the sub- structural disaster mitigation On top of this, there has been a district (Taluka) level. The framework measures and on converging these paradigm shift in the overall will subsequently cover the village, with developmental programmes. understanding of disasters, in taluka and district levels with a particular the mainstreaming of risk bottom-up approach. It is also aimed The development of the new DM plan reduction concerns into the that the DM plans at the taluka and framework is a 'work in progress'. It development process, and in working district levels will contain detailed has not yet covered industrial hazards on disaster mitigation, preparedness, maps for effective use. like chemical leakages. The GSDMA and capacity-building issues. This is currently developing a separate paradigm shift has also led to a better The new taluka-level DM plan is planning instrument for these. understanding of the importance in hazard-specific and contains clear – Binoy Acharya making the DM plan include the needs sequential response actions and Unnati, Gujarat of the poor, socially excluded groups like dalits, tribals and minorities, and the most vulnerable groups like children without adult carers, women, persons with disabilities, elderly, migrants, homeless, refugees etc. Against this context the Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA) assigned Unnati, a Gujarat- based civil society agency to develop a second generation DM plan Gujarat. Unnati, Photos: framework. State Level Consultation on Framework of Disaster Management Plan, Gujarat, 2012.

December 2012 southasiadisasters.net 5 ADVOCACY Making District Disaster Management Plan in Ladakh How to enhance the voices of the most poor in the DDMP process, How Ladakh is special, its need are special and the recovery from the cloudburst has given a special view on the way DDMP are Planned.

eh is one of the two districts in landslides, however, the district landslides and locust infestations. A Lthe Ladakh region (Leh and remains connected to the outside cloud burst followed by flashfloods Kargil) in the state of Jammu and world through aerial routes. Its in 2010 was unprecedented and its Kashmir, India. It is situated at an economy mainly depends on tourism impact was widespread. A total of 40 elevation of 2900m to 5900m between in the seasonal months as well as villages spread over 28 Halqa 32° - 36° North latitude and 75° - 80° subsistence agriculture and animal Panchayats were affected causing East longitude. Leh town, the capital husbandry activities. Agricultural heavy damage to property and of Leh district is located at a height of productivity remains low due to infrastructure. The biggest loss was 3500 meters above sea level. With a prolonged winters with short human life. A total of 257 persons lost population of 117,232 people (Census summers. As most of the materials their lives to the flash flood. 2001) living in 112 inhabited villages, have to come from outside the district, However, the relief and recovery it is one of the most sparsely and given the district's high altitude, efforts in the aftermath of the disaster populated and remote regions in incredibly challenging terrain, and were immediate and witnessed India. It has unique geo-climatic remoteness, this makes the remarkable progress. The District features such as extremely rugged communities in Leh extremely Disaster Management Plan provided terrain, cold and prolonged winters vulnerable during disaster situations. the institutional arrangements for (up to -30°C), heavy snow, and scanty coordinating response and recovery rainfall. The two main roads to Leh Ladakh is prone to multiple hazards efforts and its guidelines provided are only open on a seasonal basis due like earthquakes, snow avalanches, much-needed assistance to the to heavy snowfall and frequent floods, cloud bursts, droughts, sectoral agencies. Moreover, the local

LAHDC Leh: DRRM in Leh District- An Overview (June 2012)

"The devastation caused by the area characterised by long distances stakeholders in disaster preparedness flash flood of 2010 in Leh District and lack of accessibility) and (c) and response. However, the plan is was extensive as well as having to deal with a large number yet to effectively integrate village unprecedented (as evidenced in the of actors with different priorities on communities and their institutions. photographs attached). Despite how relief and rehabilitation work In a later development, following this, the response from both inside was to be carried out. Therefore, in interactions with the NDMA, the and outside the district was quick the post-disaster scenario, the need LAHDC has decided to put a and overwhelming. As a result, the for an effective Disaster Risk community-based DRRM plan in work on rescue, relief, Reduction Management (DRRM) Plan place (and this has been reflected in rehabilitation, land reclamation was strongly felt by the LAHDC of the Perspective Plan in the Planning and, to an extent, recovery and Leh and the District Administration. Commission's 12th Five Year Plan - restoration of economy took place refer to the 'District Plan' section). reasonably effectively. However, As a result, a draft Disaster This is where inputs and support the coordination of the entire Management Plan for Leh district has from institutions like NDMA / exercise posed several challenges. been developed. This plan identifies AIDMI will be needed. Currently, Key reasons included: (a) the areas of potential vulnerabilities, we are in the process of reviewing absence of a proper framework for proposes institutional arrangements our District DRRM Plan to focus on disaster preparedness, (b) the scale at the district and block levels, and village communities and to start of havoc caused (affecting around spells out roles and responsibilities implementing the plan from 2012- 71 villages and 9,000 people in an of various govt. agencies and other 13 onwards."

6 southasiadisasters.net December 2012 community took a prominent role in “In the ultimate analysis it is the community the response and recovery stages. The which is indeed the first responder in any disaster village leaders in close coordination and this makes community based DRR as the with the district administration core of District Disaster Management Plan arranged for the care of displaced (DDMP). I am happy that AIDMI is initiating people by establishing relief camps community based performance monitor for which provided shelter and food. making DDMP more inclusive and people- During the recovery phases centric. I am also delighted that West Champaran individual families were assisted by district in Bihar has been selected to carry out neighbours and volunteers in this important pilot project. BSDMA extends its recovering their assets. Village best wishes and cooperation to ensure success of this process.” communities got together to recover – Anil K. Sinha, IAS (retd.) essential community assets like Vice Chairman, Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA) irrigation channels. The army, local administration and various other organisations took on the task of recovery and rehabilitation process. Management framework. Emphasis restoring roads and bridges. Essential Interactions with staff from the All will be laid on using a Community- services e.g. schools, ICDS centres, India Disaster Mitigation Institute based Disaster Risk Reduction telephone lines, electricity and during their visit to Leh and also with approach (CBDRR) to strengthen the drinking water were restored with the National Disaster Management institutional mechanisms at the the help of the community. Authority (NDMA) crystallised the district, block, and community levels. realisation that disaster management This will be achieved through the use The flash flood recovery experience or risk reduction is most effective if of village Panchayats as the key player highlighted the need for effective done at the community level where and various CBOs and grassroots multi-hazard disaster management the local people are at the heart of all institutions as the key stakeholders plan/strategies to be in place. The activities. in both rural and urban settings. A Ladakh Autonomous Hill conscious and deliberate decision has Development Council (LAHDC), Leh The LAHDC, in partnership with the also been taken by the LAHDC that recognised the role of individuals, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) the planning process will adopt a families, neighbourhoods and and the NDMA, has therefore adopted participatory community approach - communities as the first responder to a Community-Based Disaster this will involve ensuring the any disaster and that they play a Management (CBDM) approach under participation of the community in all pivotal role in all stages of the the NDMA's Disaster Risk Reduction stages of disaster planning (preparedness, mitigation, relief and recovery), especially its most marginalised and vulnerable members. The community-level planning will be reflected in the DDMP. It is believed that the approach will ensure the better linking of mitigation plans with district development plans, and in meeting the needs of the marginalised and the vulnerable.

Overall, by enabling the participation of the community in DM plans, it is anticipated that this will increase the efficacy of the plans and the resilience of poor communities to disasters. – Rigzin Spalbar Chief Executive Councilor, LAHDC, Leh Stakeholder's consultation on the DDMP framework in Leh.

December 2012 southasiadisasters.net 7 INFORMATION SHARING Role of State Disaster Management Authority in Making DDMPs

have prepared the following article “The District Disaster Management Plan Ibased of the existing legal framework process would definitely initiate a public in India. There is a need to implement the discourse on "People's Right to Plan", National Disaster Management Act 2005 which would not be confined to ('DM Act') and to further strengthen the emergencies only but will pave the way capacities of District Disaster to initiate rights based approach to Management Authorities (DDMAs) in development. In this context, it would be order to effectively perform their functions essential to build the capacities of the as described in the statute. The DM Act communities and institutions to deepen has given enormous scope to the DDMAs the democratic process at all levels. The for planning and managing resources authorities and humanitarians should available locally to meet any exigencies. play a facilitating role, so that the poor and marginalised communities Even the District Magistrate, the would come forward to participate in the process and make the world a Chairman of the DDMA has inherent safer place to live one's life with dignity.” powers to coordinate and mobilise any kind – Dr. Ambika Prasad of resources from other departments, State Programme Officer agencies and organisation in the hour of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) need. Project Officers have been provided to be mitigated by taking timely action, The (GoI)-UNDP three selected DDMAs in Patna, prevention mechanisms and Disaster Risk Management Programme and Madhubani on a trial basis. undertaking medium to long-term (2009-2012) aims to strengthen the capital works. The social and capacities of existing SDMAs and selected It is now a recognised fact that while economic losses of disasters are high DDMAs in the country to perform natural disasters are primarily due to and often immeasurable. Usually the various functions as mandated under the imbalances in nature, the losses hardest hit are the poor and the DM Act. As I am supporting the Bihar suffered are due to human failings. marginalised sections in the society, State Disaster Management Authority as Human suffering and misery from a such as the small and landless farmers, the State Project Officer, District Disaster large number of natural disasters can and the agricultural labourers.

District-level workshop organised in under the GoI-UNDP DRR Programme for developing the DDMP. Photos: BSDMA.

8 southasiadisasters.net December 2012 The need to prevent loss of lives and "District Disaster Management Plan is property is the driving force behind envisaged as a dynamic and live disaster management planning at any document incorporating scientific level. A decentralised, participatory, information and local knowledge. The people -oriented and transparent Plan is expected to significantly reduce disaster management system the impact of hazards particularly on the including not only post-disaster poorer people. It is important to ensure response but also pre-disaster as much people's participation as possible prevention and preparedness actions in the finalisation of these plans to make could play a great role in reducing the effort more meaningful and relevant." the disasters and their impact. – Dr. T. Nanda Kumar Member, National Disaster Pre-disaster planning is crucial for Management Authority (NDMA) ensuring an efficient response during a disaster. A well-planned and well- rehearsed response system can deal Management Authority (DDMA) and development plans of different State with the exigencies of calamities and requires them to prepare District departments and ensuring that the can also be a resilient coping Disaster Management Plans on the prevention and mitigation measures mechanism. Optimal utilisation of basis of the vulnerability of the are integrated therein. scarce resources for rescue, relief and district to various disasters and the rehabilitation during times of crisis resources available. But when we talk about the District is possible only with detailed Disaster Management Plan (DDMPs), planning and preparation. Keeping The State Disaster Management it is the State Executive Committee in view the nodal role of the district Authority (SDMA) being the apex (SEC) constituted under section 14(1) administration in disaster authority at state level, as per the DM of the DM Act, which has to ensure management, preparation of District act, has to lay down guidelines to be that the district-level plans are Disaster Management Plans (DDMP) followed by the State government prepared, reviewed and updated. The is imperative. Section 30 of the departments for integrating disaster State Executive Committee was National Disaster Management Act 2005 prevention and mitigation measures constituted to assist the SDMA with (the 'DM Act') prescribes the powers into their development plans. The performing its functions and and functions of the District Disaster SDMA has the roles of reviewing the coordinating activities in accordance with the SDMA's guidelines on developing DDMPs. The SEC is also to ensure that the DDMPs are prepared by respective DDMAs on the basis of the district's vulnerabilities to various disasters and the resources available. The role of the SEC for preparation and updating DDMPs should therefore be supervisory rather than facilitatory.

In light of this situation, the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority has initiated the process for developing guidelines to build the capacity of District Authorities and prepare DDMPs. – Simanchal Pattnaik State Project Officer, GoI-UNDP DRR Programme, Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA), District-level stakeholder's consultation on the DDMP for West Champaran. Bihar

December 2012 southasiadisasters.net 9 KNOWLEDGE SHARING Development of a Model District Disaster Management Plan in Madhubani

ackground India initiated dialogue with the doing so, each has found their role to BThe district of Madhubani is National Disaster Management apparently be different from the located in the north -east part of Bihar, Authority (NDMA) and the Bihar other. at the foothills of . The Kosi State Disaster Management Authority River is one of the most dynamic (BSDMA) to develop a model pilot How is it Different? rivers in the district. It is also one of DDMP for the Madhubani district. Several disaster management plans the most volatile as its course and are already in existence. All of them geographical distribution changes What is it, the Model DDMP? are well- developed and abundant every year due to the uncertain Because this plan is being developed with basic information. A few amount of rain fall and land for the Madhubani district which has components which are not to be found morphology. The drainage pattern of experienced different types of in them have been added to the the rivers and morphology disasters every year, it is called a Madhubani model DDMP. So far this altogether brings a lot of threat to 'multi-hazards plan'. As it includes plan has been developed by local habitats. Due to unorganised the involvement of national-level to collaborative efforts and divided into management, random actions, village-level stakeholders, it is also a few smaller sub-plans. There is a inadequate relief materials, called a multi-stakeholder plan. It is specific plan for each stakeholder. insufficient manpower, and poor inclusive and transparent because This specific plan has further divided coordination of actions, countless throughout the plan's development, into two plans: 1) Response plan (Red numbers of people have become each stakeholder has been consulted Color), which deals with aspects like homeless and have lost their lives. and given opportunities to discuss receiving early warning and and participate in the decision- deactivating the unified response After doing an in-depth study of making process. strategy and 2) 'Mainstreaming local-level problems, and a macro- Disaster Risk Reduction' plan (Green and micro-analysis of hazards and Each stakeholder has control over the Color), which sets out how all disaster history, a group of DDMP's contents as everyone has governmental development schemes humanitarian agencies led by Sphere been consulted. In the processes of are to be linked with DRR. Both the red color and green color plans are for those who are considered ultimately first responder to the disaster.

In addition to this, for the DDMA there are special response and mainstreaming DRR plans. There are two more plans about context analysis and institutional mechanisms. Overall the whole DDMP has been divided into stakeholder-specific and action- oriented plans. – Narendra Singh Kachhotiya Focal Point – Information Knowledge and Learning Management (GIS & RS), District-level stakeholder consultations with communities and PRIs in West Sphere India Champaran.

10 southasiadisasters.net December 2012 RISK ASSESSMENT Hazard and Vulnerability Capacity Analysis of Odisha

disha is vulnerable to multiple of the poor people in Puri. “DDMP require a types of disasters. Due to its sub- Vulnerability to disasters O detailed risk tropical littoral location, the state is is a function of human assessment in field and prone to tropical cyclones, storm action and behavior. It of context. This needs surges, and tsunamis. Its densely describes the degree to to be done engaging populated coastal plains are the which a socio- economic community mainly alluvial deposits of its river systems. system or physical asset through bodies such Puri is a coastal district in Odisha. Puri are either susceptible or DRR committees or has a long coastline of nearly 150 kms. resilient to the impact of Panchayati Raj Institutes (PRIs). Equally 2 The sandy ridges along the sea coast natural hazards. important is to involve local governance and stretch up from Jagatsingpur to line department. This is time taking, process Ganjam. Natural calamities have oriented, challenging but extremely desirable seriously affected to ensure involvement of all stakeholders from Puri is always vulnerable to cyclones livelihoods in the state community or from governance.” in April-May and September- and the income level of – Munish Kaushik November. High winds cause major households. They also Cordaid Advisor, CMDRR India Programme damage to infrastructure and present a serious setback housing. Heavy rains and floods to the capital formation processes in mitigation to install a local level generally follow them. Once every the economy. The impact of disasters disaster management system which few decades a super- cyclone strikes on the district economy is evident.3 is integrated in the development Odisha. Recent super-cyclones that planning processes. Community have hit Puri in the last century were Capacity may include physical, Contingency Plans (CCP) and in 1942, 1971 and 1999.1 Each cyclone institutional, social, or economic mitigation solutions were developed causes detrimental immediate and means as well as skilled personal or in 1,603 villages after participatory long-term impacts on the livelihoods collective attributes such as risk assessment and mapping. These leadership and would strengthen the capacity of “All humanitarian management. The citizens to demand information assistance needs to be Government of Odisha will through a consultative process and provided with consciously promote campaigning. They would also community taking lead programmes and projects support the systematic management and being responsible to augment the capacity of of information that enables easier for own well-being. The the State and the people to access to information and intervening agencies be better prepared to face dissemination through the need to be in a disasters. Community- development of data collection "facilitator's" rather than Based Disaster methods. "Doer" role. To achieve this, one has to "trust" Management Plans and – Arpan Abinash in capacities of people. Rather than mock drills will be 1 Oxfam report "suggestions" there need to be more and more undertaken to ensure 2 United Nations International open ended questions to make community better preparedness. Strategy for Disaster Reduction think and weigh the "Options" and take wise 'Disaster Reduction and Sustainable decisions. Agencies need to provide The Odisha District Development: Understanding the links between vulnerability and risk information, make community aware, Disaster Management Plan to disasters related to environment involved sensitising and motivate them to act and if needed, challenge and development', January 2003, them.” capability-building at the p.21 Available at: < http:// – Khilesh Chaturvedi, block, Gram Panchayat and www.osn.cz/soubory/dr-and-sd- Deputy Director, village levels in disaster english.pdf> Association for Stimulating Know How (ASK) preparedness and 3 http://v3.osdma.org

December 2012 southasiadisasters.net 11 MAKINGTITLE DISTRICT DISASTER MANAGEMENT PLAN PRO POOR

ost districts in India do not have disaster management plans and those who do have DDMPs have Mnot made them pro-poor. The Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA) and District Administration of West Champaran in Bihar in India organised a district-level stakeholders' consultation on 'District Disaster Management Plan: A Pilot for West Champaran' on September 5, 2012 at Vikas Bhawan, Office of the District Magistrate, Bettiah. The process of making the District Disaster Management Plan (DDMP) was facilitated by All India Disaster Mitigation Institute (AIDMI) and led by Caritas India with support from Cordaid and the Bihar Inter-Agency Group. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is chairing the advisory group at the national level to make DDMPs pro-poor in various districts of India. A total of 106 participants from the BSDMA, government line departments, INGOs, local NGOs, the private sector, the media, PRIs and communities participated in the consultation. The District Magistrate, Mr. Sridhar C, discussed the final framework of the DDMP for West Champaran and detailed the process ahead. Shri Anil Sinha, Vice-Chair of the BSDMA, said, "It is the quality of DDMPs that in the end make the districts safer". This district-level local exercise has South Asia-wide relevance to the way disaster risk reduction is rolled out in the region.

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ALL INDIA DISASTER MITIGATION INSTITUTE 411 Sakar Five, Near Natraj Cinema, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad–380 009 India Tele/Fax: +91-79-2658 2962 12 E-mail: [email protected], Website:southasiadisasters.net http://www.aidmi.org, www.southasiadisasters.netDecember 2012