Management during Disasters

About

Management during disasters can be described as the response done during a disaster in order to minimize loss of life, minimize the damage done to assets and provision of relief to the people in need in a timely manner. This stage is dedicated to response and relief and presupposes rapid coordination of several agencies.

Disaster Management Objectives

• To save human life and to safeguard helpless groups.
• Giving on-the-spot services and healthcare.
• Eliminating after-disaster catastrophes and additional harm.
• Upholding the law and order and confidence of the people.
• Guaranteeing rapid recovery of critical services.

Elements of Disaster Management 

• Early Warning and Dissemination of Information

  • Proper communication through such authorized agencies like IMD, CWC, INCOIS and health authorities in issuing timely alerts.
  • Publicity via various mediums: SMS, mobile applications, radio, TV, sirens, and regional networks.
  • Simplify and use clear messages and actionable messages to preclude panic.

• Evacuation & Search and Rescue

  • Location and mobilization of evacuation and safe shelters.
  • Planned evacuation of vulnerable groups with preference to women, children, elderly and the disabled.
  • The deployment of special forces including NDRF, SDRF, Armed Forces, Civil Defence and Home Guards.
  • Last-mile evacuation community volunteers.

• Emergency Medical Response

  • Colocation of medical camps and field hospitals.
  • Quick triage, first aid and referral to severe cases.
  • Epidemiological disease prevention by vaccination, sanitation and potable drinking water.
  • Psychological first aid and trauma counseling.

• Humanitarian Relief and Assistance

  • Food, water, clothes, shelter and sanitation facilities.
  • Creation of relief camps with consideration towards safety, dignity and inclusiveness.
  • Special accommodations of pregnant women, babies, and individuals with special needs.
  • Engagement of NGOs, civil society and voluntary organizations.

• Law, Order and Security

  • Eliminating panic, rumors, hoarding, and exploitation.
  • Obtaining relief materials and important infrastructure.
  • Controlling traffic and movement of crowds.
  • Having a fairness in relief distribution.

• Institutional Mechanism and Coordination

  • The incident commander is District Collector or District Magistrate.
  • District Disaster Management Plan (DDMP) and Incident Response System (IRS) Activation.
  • Organisation of central, state, district governments as well as military forces.
  • Frequent sharing of situation reports and information.

• Damage and Needs Assessment

  • Quick evaluation of death of lives, livelihoods and structures.
  • Application of satellite imagery, drones, and GIS.
  • Determining short-term, long-term and immediate needs.
  • Information-based prioritization of relief and response.

• Rehabilitation of Critical Services

  • Removing debris and establishing transport connectivity.
  • Power supply, water, sanitation, and communication networks repair.
  • Assuring continuation of health, education and distribution mechanisms.
  • Vacation measures until complete recovery.

Institutional role in the response to disaster

• National Level

  • NDMA: Policy claims and inter-ministerial interactions.
  • NDRF: Expert disaster response activities.
  • Logistics and technical assistance is given by central ministries and armed forces.

• State and Local Level

  • SDMA and DDMA: Response steps and planning measures.
  • Local authorities: Local response, shelter, and spread of information.
  • Panchayats and city local authorities are the first responders.

Difficulties in Disaster Management During the Disaster

• Communication and transport networks failure.
• Poor access to remote or afflicted locations.
• Intersecting roles and coordination issues.
• Limits in resources and shortage of manpower.

Way Forward

• Enhancing the preparedness of local response and community.
• Real-time response integration of technology.
• Training programs and mock drills on a regular basis.
• Making disaster management plans people-based and inclusive.

Conclusion

• Disaster management is a very important period which defines the magnitude of human and economic casualties. 
• It is necessary to have a coordinated, timely, and inclusive response system that is backed by trained institutions and informed communities to manage the effect of disasters across all hazards.

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