Disaster management: fallacies and solutions: an Indian perspective.

Sir,

Generally a disaster results in significant loss in social, psychologic, and economic aspects. It not only leads to structural damages, but also leavesfamilies torn apart, children orphaned, livelihoods destroyed, and communities traumatized.[1]

Nonstructural factors such as lack of responsiveness of government officials and ineffective leadership are mainly responsible for any disaster mismanagement.[23] India is vulnerable to a variety of natural and man-made disasters.[4] Strong and effective emergency management has been a felt need in all corners of the world.[5] Effective policies play a vital role in mitigating the impact of disasters and reducing likely losses of life and property.

Economic resources are important for any disaster management. Yet, it has been recognized that economic resources didnot necessarily translate into greater investment in this domain, as there is no dearth of issues that demanded governments’ attention and resources. Disaster management has seldom acquired importance in the agenda of governance, unless there is a major natural or man-made disaster. The major shortcomings observed in Indian disaster management, along with their probable solutions, are discussed in Table 1. It has been observed that states which have suffered major disasters are more likely to undertake policy reform in building capacities for tackling them.

Table 1

Disasterfallacies and solutions

In rural areas, Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) are democratically decentralized bodies that can display tremendous potential in disaster management as they are closer to the scene and have a better knowledge of local resources/weaknesses. However, their role has been limited mostly to the response phase of any disaster.

Given that natural disasters do not always follow national boundaries, cross-boundary issues of disaster management should be addressed through enhanced regional – national – international cooperation. The need of the hour is to undertake a vulnerability analysis and anall-hazards planning on an international level to develop generic capacities. Furthermore, an effective regional response system should be developed to pool capacity for mutual benefit.

To conclude, for good outcomes it is required to have an organized learning, anintergovernmental context of shared governance, economic resources, adoption of technological change, subjective abilities of leadership, and experience of calamitous events. If the suggested measures are implemented in India as well as in other parts of the world in an integrated and systematic manner, all the nations will be in a better position to prevent the occurrence of any disaster in future, and even if such calamities occur, the implementation of systematic, integrated mitigation measures can reduce their impact on an international scale. So, itis never too late to make fruitful investments in developing capacities to deal with disasters.