ROLE OF NGOS IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT WHAT IS

ROLE OF NGOS IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT

WHAT IS A HAZARD? A hazard is any source of potential damage, harm or adverse health effects on something or someone under certain conditions at work. A hazard is also a situation that poses a level of threat to life, health , property and environment.

WHAT IS A DISASTER ? A disaster is a sudden, calamitous event that seriously disrupts the functioning of a community or society and causes human, material, and economic or environmental losses that exceed the community’s or society’s ability to cope using its own resources. A disaster occurs when a hazard impacts on vulnerable people.

WHAT IS DISASTER MANAGEMENT? Disaster management is the managerial function charged with creating the framework within which communities reduce vulnerability to hazards and cope with disasters. Mitigation - Minimizing the effects of disaster. Preparedness - Planning how to respond. Response - Efforts to minimize the hazards created by a disaster. Recovery - Returning the community to normal.

INDIA’S HAZARD PROFILE Main Hazards: Earthquakes Floods Landslides Drought Cyclone Tsunamis

ACTS AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR DISASTER MANAGEMENT A High Powered Committee set up in August 1999. Until 2001, the responsibility of disaster management was with Agriculture Ministry, It was transferred to Ministry of Home Affairs in June 2002. Disaster Management Act passed in December 2005. The Act entrusts/mandates the State Executive Committees at different levels with the responsibility to advise, assist and coordinate the activities of NGOs engaged in disaster management. The National Policy on DM 2009 mentions that Non. Governmental Organizations will be encouraged to empower the community and generate awareness through their respective institutional mechanisms.

WHAT IS AN NGO? A non-governmental organization (NGO) is any non -profit, voluntary citizens' group which is organized on a local, national or international level. Task-oriented and driven by people with a common interest, NGOs perform a variety of service and humanitarian functions, bring citizen concerns to Governments, advocate and monitor policies and encourage political particpation through provision of information.

CORE VALUES OF NGOS Neutrality Impartiality Independence

TYPES OF NGOS

ROLE OF NGOS IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT

ROLE IN DISASTER PREPAREDNESS Disaster Preparedness Advocacy/ awareness Assessment/ Analysis Capacity building Co-ordination and partnership Miscellaneous like shelter, water availability, sanitation, conservation, mock drills, etc. Other responsibilities

ROLE IN DISASTER RESPONSE Disaster Response Early warning and evacuation Search and Rescue Emergency Relief and Humanitarian Assistance Civil Military Coordination Primary Damage and Needs Assessment

ROLE IN RECOVERY Recovery phase Water Sanitation Pulic health promotion Vector control Food security and nutrition Shelter Reconstruction

ROLES IN DISASTER MITIGATION Disaster Mitigation Participatory & Inclusive Approach in mitigation Mitigation planning (Assessment, Identification, Analysis of Risk and Planning) Information Dissemination Techno-Legal and Techno-Financial regime

THE POSITIVE POINTS OF NGOS IN DM Initial response and as first responders Ability to experiment freely with innovative approaches and, if necessary, to take risks. Ability to recruit both experts and highly motivated staff with fewer restrictions than the government Ability of international NGOs to provide specialized emergency medical care Ability to gather funds from international societies / communities Ability of local NGOs to communicate without language barriers Their knowledge of the local area and community

THE NEGATIVE POINTS OF NGOS IN DM Political pressure Lack of proper Funds from governments and their proper utilization Harassment of victims by un-sensitized volunteers Paternalistic attitudes restrict the degree of participation in programme/project design. Territorial possessiveness/ competitiveness Lack of Dedicated Leadership After-response phase wastages

EXAMPLES OF NGOS FOR DM IN INDIA International Red Cross Society CARE World Vision Action. Aid Save the Children Local Adventist Development And Relief Agency India Trishul A. H. M. Relief Organization Indians for Collective Action (ICA) PRAGYA The numbers of Ngos in general, in India, have already crossed ten lakhs. However, most of them are devoted to social and gender causes. Very few NGOs are actually active and operating exclusively for disaster management, relief and rescue missions. At times of dire need, usually the NGOs with social concerns take up relief and rarely rescue functions.

EXAMPLES OF NGOS FOR DM IN INDIA (CONT. ) Other social NGOs, known for relief operation during emergencies are: Action. Aid India Goonj Impact india Foundation IDRF The Environmental Support Group, The Uday Foundation NAF