Create an environment where all play their role; and allocate sufficient DRR funds - Munish Kaushik

"Allocate sufficient resources to risk reduction, rather only when lives are claimed. Consider the world as one. Stop being hyocritical and put the interests of every last person ahead of economic interests." - Munish Kaushik, Cordaid, New Delhi, India

Lessons

• One of the MOST important aspects of disaster preparedness is 'Early Warning". We have achieved quite a lot in relation to Cyclone (Phalin and Hudhud) and seen the results also in terms of reduced number of deaths, but MUCH more needs to be achieved in case of rains/floods/drought and other water/weather related disasters. In fact, considering the recent violence, we are NOT handling 'manmade' disasters and linking early warning with it. Strange!!!
• Considering our experiences in North Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in flood affected communities, 'technology' and 'science' is NOT a problem. We can generate information, do analysis and predict. The worst problem is getting that information to local communities in simple form and in real time. Even if information reaches, either its too vague to decide or too late. There have been some demonstrations (40 villages) done by agencies like PGVS/Christian Aid/Cordaid, which needs to be scaled up. Communication is the key. 
• In terms of Structure, lower level authorities like "Panchayats" must be strengthened. This has to be done. Capacity Building and equipping them(PRI) with Information, equipments and resources is necessary. And not just from 'Response" point of view, but also from Risk Reduction" perspective. 
• National programmes like MGNREGA, IAG, NRLM- all must have by-default screened through Risk Reduction lens. We wonder why is it not done? And success of these programmes can be assessed by this simple indicator whether "Risk" of communities has reduced apart from economic or infrastructural development. 
• School safety is the key. It must be a Mandatory now in every school. Not just in Syllabus but necessary resources must be allocated to make school safer especially after recent militant attacks and all. 

New challenges:

• Considering the size of country and need, appropriate skill and know-how is not available. So, we really need to invest in making DRR popular and create a human Force which can deliver risk reduction efforts at ground level. 
• Lots of things are happening in scattered manner. One gentleman said DRR is an Orchestra where different instruments" need to play in a synchronized manner. Now, the biggest challenge is how to bring these instruments (Education/Health/Defense/NGOs/Judiciary/Administration/Communities/Private sector/Academic institutions) together and more so, create an environment where all play their role as assigned with best of their capacities. Ideal! Aspiring for it.