At the
outset, I would like to place the salute, solidarity and empathy for the
victims and survivors of Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004. They have shown
tremendous courage and resilience to overcome of the deadly trans-continental
disaster.
Well what are the lessons and way-forward: Firstly the Indian Ocean Tsunami has paved the way for the legal institutional mechanisms like Indian National Disaster Management Act in 2005 and NDMA, SDMAs, DDMAs up to PRIs (even though it is not very uniform). Secondly we have indigenously build robust Tsunami early warning system under INCOIS (Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services) which was lacking prior to 2004. Thirdly we have moved fairly to introduce the community based disaster risk management (CBDRM or CBDRR) at local community resilience which has proven success by fusing early warning and community preparedness in recent disasters line Thane in Tamil Nadu or Phailin in Odhisa or Hud Hud in Andhra Pradesh to some extent. Fourthly the DM as subject getting placed in Plans of Planning Commission, Ministry of Finance is gradual but relevant. And Fifthly there is overall awareness built in all levels across the nation but the action for preparedness and mitigation is still lukewarm.
Coming back to Indian Ocean Tsunami response, it has set several benchmarks for DRR and Disaster response:
1. The coordination mechanism between Government, UN and I/NGOs was good facilitated by Tamil Nadu Tsunami Resource Centre (THTRC), which is not fully recognized by many. It is a good model for coordination mechanism vis-a-vis information sharing, knowledge networking, sector wise coordination (Core Group for sectors like shelter, livelihoods, water, sanitation, health, education, child protection, etc. by a lead agency)
2. The Tamil Nadu government came up with very many progressive schemes for School restoration, uniform, text books, tuition fee waiver, scholarships, etc. for children.
3. Balanced decision making on housing/ shelter vis-a-vis Coastal Regulation Zone (500 meters) with joint consultations between I/NGOs and Government
4. Social equity and human rights issues addressed, e.g. Mr.Eric P. Schwartz, UN Deputy Special Envoy visited TNTRC and a special meeting was organised to discuss the human rights issue sin tsunami recovery.
5. Take-stock meeting organized in 2007 at regional level to understand the progress of tsunami recovery sector wise was yet another milestone
6. TNTRC initiated the CBDRM core group at State level and promoted the DRR as part of Tsunami recovery and reconstruction.
Well similarly other very many coordination networks like NCRC, KRRC, CRC, etc., contributed in their own ways which needs to be acknowledged.
Finally the good practices could have been sustained and replicated, instead of reinventing the wheel again and again!
- Dr. K.M.Parivelan, Associate Professor, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, India
Well what are the lessons and way-forward: Firstly the Indian Ocean Tsunami has paved the way for the legal institutional mechanisms like Indian National Disaster Management Act in 2005 and NDMA, SDMAs, DDMAs up to PRIs (even though it is not very uniform). Secondly we have indigenously build robust Tsunami early warning system under INCOIS (Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services) which was lacking prior to 2004. Thirdly we have moved fairly to introduce the community based disaster risk management (CBDRM or CBDRR) at local community resilience which has proven success by fusing early warning and community preparedness in recent disasters line Thane in Tamil Nadu or Phailin in Odhisa or Hud Hud in Andhra Pradesh to some extent. Fourthly the DM as subject getting placed in Plans of Planning Commission, Ministry of Finance is gradual but relevant. And Fifthly there is overall awareness built in all levels across the nation but the action for preparedness and mitigation is still lukewarm.
Coming back to Indian Ocean Tsunami response, it has set several benchmarks for DRR and Disaster response:
1. The coordination mechanism between Government, UN and I/NGOs was good facilitated by Tamil Nadu Tsunami Resource Centre (THTRC), which is not fully recognized by many. It is a good model for coordination mechanism vis-a-vis information sharing, knowledge networking, sector wise coordination (Core Group for sectors like shelter, livelihoods, water, sanitation, health, education, child protection, etc. by a lead agency)
2. The Tamil Nadu government came up with very many progressive schemes for School restoration, uniform, text books, tuition fee waiver, scholarships, etc. for children.
3. Balanced decision making on housing/ shelter vis-a-vis Coastal Regulation Zone (500 meters) with joint consultations between I/NGOs and Government
4. Social equity and human rights issues addressed, e.g. Mr.Eric P. Schwartz, UN Deputy Special Envoy visited TNTRC and a special meeting was organised to discuss the human rights issue sin tsunami recovery.
5. Take-stock meeting organized in 2007 at regional level to understand the progress of tsunami recovery sector wise was yet another milestone
6. TNTRC initiated the CBDRM core group at State level and promoted the DRR as part of Tsunami recovery and reconstruction.
Well similarly other very many coordination networks like NCRC, KRRC, CRC, etc., contributed in their own ways which needs to be acknowledged.
Finally the good practices could have been sustained and replicated, instead of reinventing the wheel again and again!
- Dr. K.M.Parivelan, Associate Professor, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, India
No comments:
Post a Comment