Inclusive early warning systems and strengthed local DM capacity - Kalika Mohapatra

"An inclusive early warning system should be promoted and shelter design plans created  to be accessible for all." - Kalika Mohapatra, Handicap International, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha

I want to highlight the management of Cyclone Phailin in Odisha. It shows that community preparedness along with state government's preparedness is important to manage major disasters in India. 

Yet, after the DRM programme, there is no such community level programme going on in India. In my view, we should continue the culture of preparedness at community level as well as other levels to face disasters. Community preparedness should include all vulnerable groups such as women, children, aged/sick, persons with disabilities and other social backward groups. Community preparedness should be based on the proper risk assessments. Most people in the administration do not know how to do risk assessments.  

In most of the cases we are unable to institutionalise the disaster risk management as per the DM Act; either at district level nor at lowest level of administration for effective response. We have to strengthen disaster management at various levels of administration and activate the DDMA and lowest levels for continuous activities. It should not stop after the disaster.

Nowadays, we are good at preparedness for effective response but fail to have effective recovery activities after any disaster. Recovery plan for each natural hazard is also equally important in minimising the risk. When any shelter plan is made, we should consider the accessibility of the shelter for all in the design. 

An inclusive early warning system should be promoted in India to make warning messages accessible to all types of people, especially for people with disabilities. A recent study showed that the safe shelters were not accessible for people with disabilities, They were kept in a separate house where the universal toilet facilities were located. There is no provision for emergency equipment for people with disabilities. 

Apart from that, all service providers should well aware about the preparedness activities and accountable for their activities towards risk reduction. In most of the cases, all local level government officials are least aware about the preparedness activities and accountable for it. 

A practice of mock drills should continue and be made mandatory before the disaster seasons in all vulnerable areas. In Odisha, our government practiced it once in a year and got good results.