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Copenhagen Consensus Center

Sector Expert Consultation on Disaster Management

On 10th Oct 2017, the sector expert consultation on ‘Disaster Management’ was held at The Kay Hotel, Vijayawada. About 19 participants with diverse backgrounds attended the consultation.

 

Key participants included:  Senior project manager, AP State Development Planning Society; Regional Fire Officer, AP Fire Services dept., State Project Officers-UNDP, Consultant, Disaster Risk Reduction, UNICEF, and senior representatives Indian Red Cross Society and civil society organizations who have been actively engaged in disaster risk reduction and management activities. 

All experts contributed to a meaningful discussion on the solutions to address challenges in disaster management. A total of 37 interventions were listed. The list of interventions is presented below.

  1. Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) into development 
  2. Strengthening early warning systems by leveraging science and technology
  3. Early warning system (EWS) – usage of information is key to mitigate the disaster and plan
  4. Institutional Mechanism of the dept. up to grassroots level
  5. Community-based Disaster Management Plans
  6. Sustainable Development
  7. Need for Urban and Rural Perspectives regarding Disasters
  8. Monitoring illegal activities in Coastal areas like monitoring of funds management.
  9. Focus on equity - Gender and children should be given more priority
  10. Focus on Critical Infrastructure during disasters like Hospitals
  11. Permanent (pucca) housing in vulnerable areas that will take care of livelihoods also.
  12. Successful and sustained implementation of processes
  13. Standard operating procedures (SOP) monitoring via web-based tools to keep a better track. 
  14. Preparation of decentralized Disaster Management Plan
  15. Constructive prevention mechanisms like support from government and private sectors 
  16. School resilience/School Safety Plan.
  17. Need for improved and sufficient Shelters in Vulnerable Places. 
  18. Providing Govt. sponsored Insurance covering housing, livelihood, life and crop losses.
  19. Creating Disaster Risk Reduction infrastructure like cyclone shelters/flood shelters
  20. Youth intervention and their Training/capacity building.
  21. Linkage of flagship programmes with Disaster Management.
  22. Learning from prior disasters
  23. Increasing awareness and preparedness 
  24. Rehabilitate/ relocate Illegal encroachments 
  25. Strengthening rescue and relief mechanisms.
  26. Poor awareness of acts and policies amongst functionaries.
  27. Focus from Natural to Manmade disasters.
  28. Mobilization of resources and manpower. A shortcoming of equipment and training for cyclone and fire management.
  29. Coordinated capacity building plans
  30. Including disaster management in school education
  31. Building structures for an emergency landing with the support of National Highway Authority of India.
  32. Livestock assessment and sheds for livestock in Vulnerable Places. 
  33. Better awareness by Ngo’s regarding disasters
  34. Silent Disasters 
  35. Improved pathways of rehabilitation and reconstruction.
  36. Dept. of DM is vulnerable. Too many dependencies. Coordination issues
  37. Surface water Management System

List of Participants