18 April 2025 17:49
Corporate Sector and Disaster Risk Reduction – Simplified
India has faced serious disasters, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which claimed thousands of lives daily. Natural
disasters like floods, earthquakes, and cyclones also affect millions, causing huge loss of life, property, and
livelihoods. These losses often set back years of development.
• Disasters affect everyone, especially households, communities, and small businesses, which suffer the most.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) plays a key role in helping communities recover after disasters.
Corporates contribute through donations, employee involvement, and funding, making it easier for people to
rebuild their lives.
• The Government of India recognizes the importance of corporate support during disasters. So, disaster relief
spending now counts as part of CSR under government rules.
• CSR has become common practice. Companies are actively involved in social, environmental, and charitable
work to support society.
• There's growing pressure for companies to make CSR part of their regular business plans. A strong CSR policy
improves a company's reputation, financial performance, and social impact.
• Companies are advised to focus their CSR work on meaningful goals and adopt clear strategies.
Legal Requirement for CSR
Under the Companies Act, 2013 (Section 135), CSR is mandatory for companies that meet any of these:
• Net worth of ₹500 crore or more, OR
• Turnover of ₹1,000 crore or more, OR
• Net profit of ₹5 crore or more
These companies must spend at least 2% of their net profit on CSR activities. If not followed, it’s a punishable
offense.
CSR Impact
• CSR spending has increased significantly since it became mandatory.
• In 2018, companies spent 47% more on CSR than in 2014-15, totaling about ₹7,400 crore ($1 billion).
• Indian listed companies spend around ₹10,000 crore annually on CSR.
• In 2019-20, education got the largest share of CSR funding (38%), followed by health and poverty relief (25%),
environmental protection (12%), and rural development (11%).
Example – COVID-19
During the COVID-19 crisis:
• The nationwide lockdown deeply affected people and businesses.
• Overcrowding and low awareness worsened the situation.
• Companies stepped up by donating crores of rupees to relief efforts.
• The government allowed COVID-19 donations to count as CSR.
• Many companies contributed to the PM CARES Fund and supported health and hunger relief efforts.
Education in Disaster Risk Reduction – Simplified
Disasters—both natural and man-made—are increasing worldwide. Education is one of the most effective ways to
prevent disasters or reduce their impact, especially with the help of technology.
• Disasters cause loss of life, property, economy, and environment.
• People can reduce the effects of disasters by learning how to prepare and respond.
• Education helps individuals and communities become more resilient and recover faster.
• Simple measures like improving housing and early warnings can reduce disaster damage.
Why Disaster Education is Important
• It teaches people how to act before, during, and after disasters.
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• It teaches people how to act before, during, and after disasters.
• Helps vulnerable people (like children, elderly, pregnant women, people with disabilities) protect themselves
better.
• Increases awareness, skills, and motivation to take action.
• Trained individuals respond better to disasters and help others too.
• Lack of awareness leads to poor response and more damage.
Disaster Education for Vulnerable People
• Vulnerability means the inability to prepare for or recover from disasters.
• Vulnerable groups include children, elderly, pregnant women, malnourished people, and those with disabilities.
• They need special training and attention with the help of professionals.
• Educating vulnerable people benefits the entire community.
Disaster Education for Children
• Around 1 billion children live in disaster-prone areas.
• Over 175 million children face climate change crises each year.
• Children depend on adults for safety but can be taught how to act during emergencies.
• Disaster education builds children's awareness and resilience.
• Studies show that disaster education increases risk perception and preparedness in children.
• Educated children can influence their families and help spread awareness.
Disaster Education for Women
• Women often face more difficulties during disasters.
• Research shows that women are keen to learn and prepare for emergencies.
• Teaching women increases preparedness in the whole family.
• Women can become educators and leaders in their communities after training.
• Education centers, schools, mosques, and offices help spread this learning.
• Disaster education should also cover women’s health needs, especially during emergencies.
Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR) – Simplified
Summary
CBDRR is a local, community-led approach to reduce the impact of disasters. It helps vulnerable
communities prepare for and recover from disasters through awareness, planning, and action.
Key Goals of CBDRR:
• Reduce disaster risks in vulnerable areas.
• Empower communities to take charge.
• Involve everyone: women, elders, youth, and marginalized groups.
• Strengthen local leadership and community decision-making.
Main Principles:
1. Inclusive Participation – All social groups are involved.
2. Community Leadership – Locals lead the planning and action.
3. Empowerment – People are trained and supported to act.
Four Stages of CBDRR:
1. Awareness & Committee Creation
Communities learn about disasters and form local committees.
2. Risk, Vulnerability & Capacity Assessment
Communities analyze:
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Communities analyze:
○ Risks – What disasters might happen?
○ Vulnerabilities – What and who are most at risk?
○ Capacities – What strengths or resources exist?
○ Risk Analysis – Combine all above to understand threats better.
3. Community Action Plan Design
Local solutions are proposed based on the assessments.
4. Action Plan Implementation
○ Some actions are done by individuals or the community.
○ Others may need help from NGOs or the government.
Other Important Activities:
• Early Warning Systems (EWS): Help isolated communities get alerts about upcoming dangers.
• Regular Updates: Disaster plans are updated with new information.
• Information Access: Communities need good communication channels.
Support from NGOs (like Solidarités International):
• Fund parts of the action plan.
• Help with small projects (micro-projects).
• Provide technical advice.
• Assist in raising money.
• Promote local committees to connect with institutions.
Language & Documentation:
• Plans are written in the local language for community use.
• Translated for NGO/project management and funding tracking.
Impact of Disaster on Poverty and Deprivation
Disasters worsen poverty and create more problems for already vulnerable communities. Here's how:
1. Loss of livelihoods
• Disasters destroy farms, businesses, and workplaces.
• People lose jobs and income, especially those in informal work.
• This pushes poor people even deeper into poverty.
2. Damage to housing and infrastructure
• Homes, schools, hospitals, and roads are often damaged or destroyed.
• People may become homeless or live in crowded shelters.
• Basic services like water, electricity, and healthcare become hard to access.
3. Health impacts
• Disasters cause injuries, illness, and spread of diseases.
• Poor sanitation and lack of clean water increase health risks.
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• Poor sanitation and lack of clean water increase health risks.
• Poor people often have less access to healthcare.
4. Disruption of education
• Schools may be damaged, or students may be forced to drop out.
• Children from poor families are most affected.
• Missing school affects their future job opportunities and income.
5. Increased debt and financial vulnerability
• Poor families usually don’t have savings or insurance.
• They borrow money to rebuild homes and businesses.
• This creates long-term debt and financial stress.
6. Social and psychological impacts
• Disasters cause emotional trauma and stress.
• People may lose family members, homes, and support systems.
• Mental health struggles make it harder to recover.
7. Disproportionate impacts on marginalized groups
• Women, children, the elderly, and minorities are hit harder.
• They have fewer resources and less power in decision-making.
• Disasters make existing inequalities even worse.
Here’s a simplified version of “Climate Change Adaptation and Human Health – Exposure” with the
same side headings:
Climate Change Adaptation and Human Health – Exposure
Climate change affects human health in many ways. To protect people, we need to reduce their
exposure to health risks caused by a changing climate. Here’s how it impacts health:
1. Extreme temperatures
• Very hot or cold weather can be dangerous.
• Heatwaves can cause heat exhaustion and heatstroke, especially in older adults, children, and
people with health problems.
• Cold weather increases the risk of hypothermia and can make heart and breathing issues worse.
2. Air pollution
• Climate change increases pollution in the air.
• Hotter weather can raise harmful ozone levels and worsen dust and smoke in the air.
• Breathing polluted air can cause asthma, lung diseases, and heart problems.
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3. Vector-borne diseases
• Warmer temperatures and more rain can help spread diseases carried by mosquitoes and ticks.
• This includes malaria, dengue, Zika, and Lyme disease.
• Poorer areas may struggle more due to limited healthcare.
4. Waterborne diseases
• Heavy rain and floods can pollute water sources with harmful germs and chemicals.
• This leads to diseases like cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea.
• The risk is higher where clean water and sanitation are lacking.
5. Food insecurity and malnutrition
• Climate change harms farming and reduces food production.
• Droughts, floods, and storms damage crops and food supplies.
• This can lead to hunger and poor nutrition, especially in children, pregnant women, and the
elderly.
6. Mental health impacts
• Natural disasters, losing homes or jobs, and an uncertain future cause stress and anxiety.
• This can lead to depression, PTSD, and other mental health problems.
• People already facing poverty or discrimination are more at risk.
Conclusion
To protect people’s health, we must adapt to climate change by:
• Strengthening healthcare systems
• Ensuring clean water and good sanitation
• Monitoring diseases
• Promoting food security
• Supporting mental health
These steps will reduce health risks and build stronger, healthier communities.
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From <https://chatgpt.com/c/68023c84-d104-800b-bb62-70f003f653c7>
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