Convergence of efforts by all stakeholders needed to keep systems alive - Nirmal Singh

Convergence of efforts by governments, civil society organisations and communities is a key that we need to pursue for effective long term institutionalisation of Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction. - Nirmal Singh, Head of Emergencies, CASA and Chairperson, Sphere India, New Delhi, India

The last ten years have thrown up more challenges than successes.  While Tsunami affected communities have received permanent housing and infrastructure, which may be counted as a win, there have been major gaps in the long term sustainability of the preparedness measures that were implemented. Particularly for once-in-a-lifetime disasters like Tsunami or earthquake, the biggest challenge is how to keep systems alive. Efforts are needed to find ways to do this.