Other Policies related to disaster management

OTHER POLICIES RELATED TO DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Aside from the National Disaster Management Policy (NDMP), disaster management through public policy is an effort to inquire into the process of a hazard turning into a disaster, identify its causes and rectify the same to prevent future occurrences. Public policies on disaster management is concerned with minimizing and preventing the damaging impact of a natural or man-made hazard.

Some of the policies that need to be addressed with regard to disaster management are:

1. Poor and weak or overcrowded buildings in an earthquake prone area
2. Poor land-use planning in flood prone areas
3. Inadequate and faulty laws regulating various processes and facilities

The Yokohoma strategy for disaster management at the world conference on disaster reduction held at Hyogo laid emphasis on disaster management policy framework, risk identification and early warning, knowledge management, reducing risk factors and preparedness for effective response and recovery.

The Hyogo conference adopted the framework for action (HFA) 2005-2015 called, "Building the resilience of National and Communities to Disaster."

In India, the central government lays down policies and provides technical, logistical and financial support while the district administration carries out most of the operations in collaboration with central and state level agencies.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) under the chairmanship of the prime minister is the apex body for laying down policies, plans and guidelines for disaster management and for coordinating their enforcement and implementation throughout the country.

The National Institute for Disaster Management (NIDM) is responsible for providing assistance to formulate national policy on disaster management.

At the state level, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) headed by the state chief minister lays down policies and plans for disaster management in the state and policies related to disaster management at the district level are implemented by the District Magistrate (DM).

Policy of Emergency Operation Centres (PEO) at national, state and district level should be effectively implemented.