Implementable action plan with country targets - Pinaki Dasgupta

Ensure that a strong road map is created and a consensus achieved on an implementable action plan with country targets for disaster risk reduction. Let it translate into real time-bound ground action. - Pinaki Dasgupta, Associate - HSE & Sustainability, C.P. Consultants Pvt. Ltd.

What would have been the state of the people when ten years back the tsunami struck? Back in other cities and towns, it was business as usual for millions. But for thousands in affected areas, it wasn't. The impact on minds and souls when such an incident occurs is truly mesmerizing and overwhelming.

Today, newspapers and news channels have revisited the disaster. A huge positive change. One must always learn from such calamity, not for the present but for the future generations. It is like re-running a blockbuster many times over. Probably, such a disaster with lasting impacts and consequence should also be an eye opener for all of us, wherever we are and whatever capacity, Government, International agencies, NGOs, corporate sector and others too.

The road to Sendai is like a journey, where for few days, people world over gather to discuss the overarching policies and action plan. However, the event would be very interesting to follow for more deeper connections and tangible outcomes which may benefit a farmer and fisherman in case of situations. Critics would argue that international platforms such as these, seldom serve the real purpose and just is a networking platform for fund raising and business opportunities. However, even if these are taken in the right sense, it could translate into a real time bound ground action. It is also a high time, that being the second most vulnerable country, the Government and UN agencies should ensure a greater participation from India. 

Policies are a buzz word today, especially in terms of disaster management. There are many, few are taken to next step. It is high time that our political system right from a panchayat/councillor level to cabinet levels are educated and empowered on Disaster Management. Their objective should be to build community resilience through pro active participation. Disaster is often perceived as a deterrent terminology. It evokes negative thoughts and reaction. Probably, we need a re-visit and brainstorm to get the subject into our children and young minds. Perception changes everything and it is true for Disaster Management. This is a challenge as well as new opportunity.

Secondly, as far as new challenges goes, we are in a phase where our old challenges still hover around us and we have to do a lot of catching up if we have to get accustomed to new challenges like population density, appropriate technology penetration, training, capacity building and education. Every disaster brings along with it a myriad of issues, foremost being livelihood. The present system has to be strengthened to gear up for better, faster and easier to implement solutions post disaster period. The pre-disaster phase as we all normally know is a dormant phase. It really can't be the term to use these days. May be we should use the term Dormant phase. Just like a dormant volcano. It's there, but you really cant predict accurately, when it will be active. These terminology goes a long way in preparedness and building adaptability in communities.

Concluding, with a small note for the third query, do we really require a strong message for world leaders, even after everyone is a witness to such brutal natural (or for that man-made) forces? May be yes, as general citizens and people from affected communities, we must ensure that a strong road map is created and a consensus achieved on an implementable action plan with country targets for disaster risk reduction. As the saying of sky, land and sea goes, we are at a little receiving end as the best we can do is to reduce the vulnerability rather than pondering over on how natural events which can lead to disasters are avoided in future. Appreciating the essence of disaster management ,learning from past, spreading the knowledge to communities, collaborating with each other, exploring synergies to implement and action are all things we must focus to carry on.