1

DISASTER AND DEVELOPMENTMAINSTREAMING DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

Dr. P.K MishraChairman, Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission

Ahmedabad

The 14th Regulators & Policymakers Retreat 2013Goa, 1-4 August 2013

A catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural or man made causes, or by accident or negligence which results in substantial loss of life or human suffering or damage to, and destruction of, property, or damage to, or degradation of, environment, and is of such a nature or magnitude as to be beyond the coping capacity of the community of the affected area.

 

WHAT IS A DISASTER

Recent trend of disasters

• Increase in frequency and intensity of disasters

• Why hazards become disasters?• Development activities could create new

forms of vulnerability• Linkages between disaster and

development; poverty and vulnerability •  

3

PARADIGM SHIFT IN DISASTER MANAGEMENTInitiatives

International Decade for Natural Disaster reduction

(IDNDR)

Yokohama Strategy and Plan of Action for a safer

world 1994

Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-15: Building the

resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters

Efforts

Approach shifting from post disaster relief &

rehabilitation to pre-disaster mitigation & preparedness

Linking Disaster Management to Development

Programmes

Focus on insurance and risk transfer mechanisms

Cont’d

Some Hypotheses Lessons of disasters do not automatically spread

over geographical space and time.

Post-disaster recovery and reconstruction provide an opportunity for risk reduction efforts

Risk reduction initiatives have greater acceptability, speed and effectiveness during post-disaster scenario

However, one cannot wait for a disaster to happen. Mainstreaming of DRR is necessary.

Mainstreaming DRR with Development

• Mainstreaming means to integrate into regular or the predominant activity

• Need to analyse how potential hazards could effect programmes and projects

• Impact of policies, porgrammes and projects on vulnerability to natural hazards

• Treating risk reduction as an integral part of development

7

Five steps to mainstreaming

• Awareness raising,

• Enabling environment,

• Change in operational practice,

• Measuring progress, and

• Learning and Experience sharing.

8

Some recent initiatives

• A chapter on disaster management in the Tenth Five Year Plan

• Eleventh Five Year Plan focused on strengthening disaster preparedness

• Twelfth Five Year Plan envisages to further build on earlier efforts

• Report of the working group on disaster management for the 12th plan.

•  

9

10

Photo by : Ashok B. TrivediPhoto by : Ashok B. Trivedi

11

Photo by : Ashok B. TrivediPhoto by : Ashok B. Trivedi

12

RECONSTRUCTION & REHABILITATION

13

THE KUTCH EARTHQUAKE RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME: MOST INFLUENTIAL POST-DISASTER RECONSTRUCTION INITIATIVE

A strong foundation for national level initiatives, e.g.

• Mitigation projects, changes in syllabus

• Capacity building in search & rescue

• Disaster Management Act, 2005

• Creation of the National Disaster Management Authority

• Community-based disaster preparedness initiatives

Disaster Management Authorities in several States

Framework for post-disaster reconstruction in the context of subsequent disasters

Some Lessons and Challenges It is easier to convince various stakeholders regarding the

need of risk reduction measures immediately after a disaster

Even in Gujarat, such initiatives were taken after the earthquake of 2001 and not after the Latur earthquake, 1993

Organizational structure, governance issues and political will are key factors which determine the effectiveness of risk reduction measures

Public and media pressures for early results dampen risk reduction initiatives

Sustainability of such measures remains an issue even in Gujarat.

Role of international organizations is important Coordination of activities of international organizations and

NGOs is crucial

Good governance for mainstreaming

• An appropriate institutional structure• A legal framework • Participation of stakeholders • Accountability• Transparency and information

15

SOME QUESTIONS

• CAN WE PREPARE A ROADMAP FOR MAINSTREAMING DRR THROUGH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES?

• HOW TO MAKE IT SUSTAINABLE?

• CAN WE DESIGN AN INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE?

16

17

THANK YOU