Disaster Preparedness and

Rehabilitation
Dr. K. Suresh Kumar
Assistant Principal & Assistant Professor
Department of Environmental Studies
GITAM Institute of Science, GITAM
Rushikonda, Visakhapatnam
• Be Prepared...
• Make a Plan...
• Protection
• Response
• Rehabilitation
 Preparedness
• The Preparedness phase is possibly the most
important phase in the cycle of a disaster
because it not only complements the Mitigation
phase but it also ensures an increased survival
rate.
• Disaster Preparedness can be explained as Ability
to predict, respond to and cope with the effect of
a disaster.
• Preparedness should be done ideally at the
community level as it is the community that is the
first to respond to any disaster situation in the
initial 24 hours, which are crucial.
• Many International organizations like the
International Red Cross keep trained teams on
standby at all times in case there is a disaster in
any part of the world.
• This kind of preparedness at every level would
save many more lives over the decades, there has
been a shift in thinking from a “reactive” to a
“proactive approach”.
• It is not merely important to react when a
disaster occurs but to be prepared for its
eventuality.
 Mitigation: Helps you find the best
solutions to safeguard you, your home,
your community
• Mitigation is the effort to reduce its impacts but when a
level 5 tornado hits, or an earthquake with a magnitude
greater than 7 on the Richter scale occurs in a particular
area one would expect some amount of damage because of
the power and force of the event.
• The tsunami of 2004 is probably a strong example of this. In
Aceh (point of origin of the undersea earthquake) entire
hillsides were washed away, a floating power plant
weighing over 1000 tonnes was flung into land by the
waves.
• Thus it is important to reduce such impacts through
mitigation but what is equally important is to be prepared
for the worst scenario.
 Community Based Disaster
Preparedness (CBDP)
• CBDP is an institutional arrangement to help
communities prepare for the onset of a disaster and
managing a disaster situation.
• It is a management plan and set of activities initiated
and set in motion with the participation of
communities before, during and after a disaster
situation.
• A community is a group of individuals and households
living in the same location and having the same hazard
exposure, who can share the same objectives and goals
in disaster risk reduction.
• CBDP is steeped in the basic disaster risk reduction
framework and covers a broad range of interventions,
measures, activities, projects and programs to reduce
disaster risks, which are primarily designed by people in at-
risk localities and are based on their urgent needs and
capacities. Simply put, the aim of CBDM is to:

• 1) Reduce vulnerabilities and increase capacities of

vulnerable groups and communities to cope with, prevent
or minimize loss and damage to life, property, and the
environment
• 2) Minimize human suffering
• 3) Hasten recovery.
• In order to carry out Preparedness one needs
to take into consideration covering various
elements. (Shown in Figure). The aspect of
rehearsal is probably the most important
element as it ensures that the Preparedness is
not only in terms plans but also in terms of
implementation. It offers role clarity and as
the saying goes, “Practice makes perfect”.
Elements of Preparedness
• The Disaster Risk Management Cycle has many cross cutting factors
that affect each phase.
• One of the biggest influences is the media response. In today’s
world it is the press, newspapers, radios that bring the news from
around the world.
• At the onset of a disaster one will see a minute-to-minute update of
what is going on, but with the passage of time the interest fades as
does the coverage and what was once Headlines is now on Page ten
of the newspaper in a tiny column.
• This entire debate can be continued but what is also important to
note is the fact that it is many times the media’s attention to a
particular issue which gets action-oriented results from the relevant
higher-ups.
• And what cannot be denied is the crucial role the media plays in
getting stories across to people around the world.
• We have taken a look at the sudden on-set, intermediate on-set
disasters and understand the phases that follow through.
• A drawback of the DRMC is that it does not show the impact and
phases of a slow/long on-set disaster like droughts.
• The increasing impact of disasters on people and assets has
demonstrated the need to strengthen disaster preparedness for
response and prepare for recovery ahead of disaster.
• The recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction phase is a critical
opportunity to “Build Back Better”, including through integrating
disaster risk reduction into development measures.
• Lessons learnt from the past disaster response and recovery efforts
point to the need for the institutionalization of post-disaster
assessments and recovery planning to enhance risk governance,
and strengthen coordination of governments, civil society, and
other stakeholders, including through both structural and non-
structural measures.
• It is equally important to maintain an
institutional continuum between
preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation
and sustainable development measures.
• Empowering women and persons with
disabilities to lead and promote gender
equitable and universally accessible response,
recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction
approaches is key.
• Building Rehabilitation objectives are to render
the building safe and functional. Structural
damage must be repaired, debris and dirt cleared
away, and collection and working spaces cleared
out, so salvaging can take place efficiently.
• It is very important to ensure that the building's
air-conditioning and ventilating systems are
working in order to maintain control of the
environment.
• After the initial salvage work has been completed and
the affected parts of the collection are safely dried or
frozen, much work still remains to be done.
• The damaged materials will need to be cleaned,
repaired, re-housed, and returned to
shelves/compactus/filing cabinets.
• The rehabilitation of damaged records begins with
sorting and assigning priorities; treatment of damaged
materials; cleaning files/items; repair and re-covering
of documents if necessary.
• The relative recovery cost of different conservation
treatment options may also need to be considered.
• In a major natural disaster, procedures issued by
the appropriate authority should be adhered to.
• Having a records disaster plan enables quick
identification of essential, priority records to
ensure the ongoing business of the agency - but
of course human life comes first and takes
priority over all else.
• Having a plan in place before a disaster occurs is
the best insurance against losing vital information
and vital time.
 Are You Prepared???
• Be Prepared...
• A records disaster encompasses all types of damage to
information/records (in whatever format) on a large or
small scale.
• It may be caused by natural occurrence such as flood,
fire, cyclone etc or from an internal hazard like leaking
pipes, electrical fault or even an inadequate air
conditioning system.
• What ever the reason, being prepared for a disaster is
essential. When reaction to a disaster is prompt and
efficient the effects can be minimised.
• Being organised and aware of procedures enhances the
likelihood of full recovery. Having a plan in place before
a disaster occurs is the best insurance against losing
vital information.
 Make a Plan...
• A disaster plan needs to address all aspects of emergency preparedness
from prevention, protection and response to recovery and rehabilitation.
• Prevention includes:
• documenting and regularly inspecting interior and exterior hazards to the
building and collection;
• regular maintenance of building and equipment;
• proper housekeeping and environmental control.
• Protection includes:
• installation of alarms, fire suppression systems;
• establishment of basic building security measures;
• assembly of emergency supply kits;
• and the organisation of an in-house disaster response team.
• Response includes:
• the actions which are to be taken after the first encounter with the
damaged records.
• Rehabilitation and Recovery include:
• steps taken to deal with the disaster over a longer term.
This may include the help of outside expertise and advise.
• Assigning priorities for protection and salvage of various
parts of the record collection is a very important part of
disaster planning.
• When priorities are established ahead of time, decisions
can be made rationally as to which files or record series are
to be protected or salvaged first, second and so on.
• Collection priorities marked on a floor plan will show the
necessary information at a glance or files/series/boxes can
be marked with colour coded stickers i.e.: red for high
priority etc.
 Factors to consider when assigning
priorities:
• whether the records are essential to the
ongoing business of the agency;
• can they be replaced, either in similar or
different format such as microfilm;
• the long term repercussions in the event of
loss of the information/record/series;
• the value of the records for reference and
research to agency, community, territory or
nationally.
 Protection
• Emergency Supply Kits are established to ensure
the protection of the records. Emergency supply
kits should be able to meet immediate needs
following a disaster.
• They should be periodically updated to ensure
that all items are in working order, i.e.: batteries
in torches.
• The kits need to be stored in an easily accessible
location, preferably close to where disasters are
most likely to occur.
• The following are basic supplies which constitute the
minimum for preparedness to meet emergencies:
• Plastic boxes for packing wet files;
• brooms; mops; buckets; extension cords;
• flashlights and batteries; rubber gloves;
• paper towels or unprinted newsprint;
• scissors and/or retractable knives etc;
• water proof masking tape; water proof marking pens;
pens and paper for documentation;
• plastic garbage bags and heavy duty plastic sheeting
used to protect shelving, compactus, furniture etc.
 Response
• In responding to a disaster, scale is an important
consideration since the size of an emergency
determines in many ways what needs to be done.
• Definitions of disaster scope vary, and include
types of disaster and degree of damage and what
is affected.
• The three tier system of assessment is useful for
quick analysis. Suggested numerical guidelines for
categories:
• small: up to 500 files/items affected moderate: over 500
files/items affected
• large: over 1,000 files/items affected.
• Once the scale of disaster has been determined, the
disaster team will have a basis for decisions, and a starting
point for consultation with outside sources of assistance if
required.
• Once it is safe to enter the disaster area, the disaster team
will: stabilise the environment; sort damaged materials;
implement on-the-spot training of volunteers if necessary;
and implement salvaging techniques.
• Of course the in-house response team has been trained in
all these aspects prior to the emergency!
 Rehabilitation
• Rehabilitation relates to the work undertaken
in the following weeks and months, for the
restoration of basic services to enable the
population to return to normalcy.
• Actions taken during the period following the
emergency phase is often defined as the
recovery phase, which encompasses both
rehabilitation and reconstruction.
• Rehabilitation refers to the actions taken in the
aftermath of a disaster to enable basic services to
resume functioning, assist victims’ self-help efforts to
repair physical damage and community facilities, revive
economic activities and provide support for the
psychological and social well being of the survivors.
• It focuses on enabling the affected population to
resume more-or-less normal (pre-disaster) patterns of
life. It may be considered as transitional phase
between immediate relief and more major, long-term
development.
 Reconstruction
• Refers to the full restoration of all services, and local
infrastructure, replacement of damaged physical
structures, the revitalization of economy and the
restoration of social and cultural life.
• Reconstruction must be fully integrated into long-term
development plans, taking into account future disaster risks
and possibilities to reduce such risks by incorporating
appropriate measures.
• Damaged structures and services may not necessarily be
restored in their previous form or location. It may include
the replacement of any temporary arrangements
established as part of emergency response or
rehabilitation.
• The following sectors can be vulnerable to disaster impact,
and which, therefore, will require rehabilitation and
reconstruction inputs.
• Buildings
• Infrastructure
• Economic assets (including formal and formal commercial
sectors, industrial and agricultural activities etc.)
• Administrative and political
• Psychological
• Cultural
• Social
• Environmental
• “The disaster scenario offers a range of
opportunities for affected communities to
respond to the crisis, how community responds
to a disaster and post disaster aid sets the tone
for the transition from disaster to development”.
• After earthquake in Latur, people of that area
started to monitor construction works,
retrofitting of houses and behaved like
“community construction watch dogs”
• As discussed earlier rehabilitation and reconstruction
comes under recovery phase immediately after relief
and rescue operation of the disaster. This post disaster
phase continues until the life of the affected people
comes to normal.
• This phase mainly covers damage assessment, disposal
of debris, disbursement of assistance for houses,
formulation of assistance packages, monitoring and
review, cases of non-starters, rejected cases,
nonoccupancy of houses, relocation, town planning
and development plans, awareness and capacity
building, housing insurance, grievance redressal and
social rehabilitation etc.
 Post Disaster Reconstruction and
Rehabilitation
• Post disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation should pay attention to the
following activities for speedy recovery in disaster hit areas.
• The contribution of both government as well as affected people is significant to
deal with all the issues properly.
• Damage assessment
• Disposal of debris
• Disbursement of assistance for houses
• Formulation of assistance packages
• Monitoring and review
• Cases of non-starters, rejected cases, non-occupancy of houses
• Relocation
• Town planning and development plans
• Reconstruction as Housing Replacement Policy
• Awareness and capacity building
• Housing insurance
• Grievance redressal
 Administrative Relief
• The district is the primary level with requisite resources to respond
to any natural calamity, through the issue of essential commodities,
group assistance to the affected people, damage assessment and
administrating appropriate rehabilitation and restoration measures.
• The district level relief committee consisting of official and non-
official members including the local legislators and the members of
parliament review the relief measures.
• New Delhi district is sub-divided into 3 sub-division i.e. Delhi cantt,
Vasant Vihar and Chanakyapuri. The head of a subdivision is called
the Sub-District magistrate (SDM) while the head of a Tehsil is
known as a Tehsildar. When a disaster is apprehended, the entire
machinery of the district, including the officers of technical and
other departments, swings into action and maintains almost
continuous contact with each village in the disaster threatened
area.
• Once the rescue phase is over, the district administration
shall provide immediate relief assistance either in cash or in
kind to the victims of the disaster.
• The DDMA New Delhi shall enter in to pre-contract well in
advance and procure materials required for life saving.
• The office of District Magistrate is responsible for providing
relief to the victims of natural & manmade disasters like
fire, flood, drought, earthquakes, riots, terrorist attacks,
accidents etc.
• The relief is provided as per the following scale fixed by the
government:
 Reconstruction of Houses Damaged /
Destroyed
• Houses should be reconstructed in the disaster hit areas according to the
following Instructions:
• Owner Driven Reconstruction Public Private Partnership Program (PPPP)
• Under the PPPP the houses are reconstructed by the NGOs for the
beneficiaries to be registered in the joint names of the husband and wife.
• All the houses should be insured. Owner Driven Reconstruction Financial,
technical and material assistance provided by the government.
• The designs for seismic reconstruction of houses provided by the
government.
• The material assistance provided through material banks at subsidized
rates.
• Design of 20 model houses provided to the public to choose from with an
option to have one‟s own design.
• Military Assistance : If the district
administration feels that the situation is
beyond its control then immediate military
assistance could be sought for carrying out the
relief operations.
• Medical Care : Specialized Medical Care may
be required to help the affected population.
Preventive medicine may have to be taken to
prevent outbreak of diseases.
• Epidemics :In the relief camps set up for the
affected population, there is a likelihood of
epidemics from a number of sources.
• The strategy should be to subdue such sources
and immunize the population against them.
• The public health centers, health departments
can practice vaccination drives, public
awareness to drink boiled water, use chlorine
tablets to purify the water sources.
• Corpse Disposal : Disposal of dead bodies is to be
carried out as a part of the operation to prevent
outbreak of epidemics. Minimum official
requirements should be maintained as it is a very
sensitive issue. The following points may be
considered by the concerned authorities at the
time of corpse disposal:-
• 1. Mass photographs of corpses,
• 2. Consent of the relatives or hand over to them
• 3. A panchnama of dead body.
• Salvage : A major effort is needed to salvage
destroyed structure and property. Essential
services like communications, roads, bridges,
electricity would have to be repaired and
restored for normalization of activities.
• Outside Assistance : During disaster situations,
considerable relief flows in from outside, thus
there is an immediate need to co-ordinate the
relief flows so that the maximum coverage is
achieved and there is no duplication of work in
the same area.
• Special Relief : Along with compensation
packages, essential items may have to be
distributed to the affected population to provide
for temporary sustenance.
• Information: Information flow and review is
essential part of the relief exercises. Constant
monitoring is required to assess the extent of
damage, which forms the basis of further
relief to the affected areas.
• Social Rehabilitation:
• a) Disabled persons Artificial limbs fitted to
affected persons. Modern wheelchairs,
supportive devices provided.
• b) Children Orphaned children are fostered.
Day centers set up Orphanages established.
Child help lines established.
• c) Paraplegics Pension scheme introduced for
paraplegics. Physiotherapy under continuous
supervision of doctors.
• d) Old Persons Aged persons given pensions.
Old Age Homes established.
• e) Women Pension sanctioned.
 Recovery
• The long-term recovery plans are related with Recovery
and Reconstruction activities on one side and
institutionalizing disaster management in district
administration on the other side.
• There are Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) for the
Emergency Support Functions. Recovery and rehabilitation
is the final step.
• The incident Command System shall be deactivated as the
rehabilitation phase is over.
• Thereafter the normal administration shall take up the
remaining reconstruction works in the disaster-affected
areas.
• These activities shall be performed by the Working Group
for relief and rehabilitation under the direction of the
DDMA (New Delhi)/ESFs
• There are Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) for the Emergency
Support Functions.
• In long term measures the following actions shall be undertaken
duly.
• Constitution of Emergency Support Functions, Disaster
Management Teams, Quick Response Teams, Field Response Teams
• Refresher trainings for all such teams in a regular interval of time
and exercise of Mock Drills
• Continuous awareness/sensitization programmes for the
stakeholders and the general Public.
• Getting pre-contract with vendors and merchant establishments to
procure relief materials in times of disaster Most of the Line
Departments in the District, Autonomous Bodies and Organizations
are part of the Emergency Support Functions.