Disaster Management models

DISASTER MANAGEMENT MODEL

1. LOGICAL MODEL

• The first category is logical model Logical model provide a simple definition of disaster stages and emphasize the basic events and actions that constitute a disaster.
• Traditional model management is one of the well-known and common logical models In this model, the traditional process stages and of disaster management has three phases before, during and after the disaster:

a)    The first phase consists of activities such as prevention, mitigation and  preparedness.

b)    The second phase includes activities connected to reaction and response.

c)       The third phase includes activities such as recovery, reconstruction and development.

 

2. INTEGRATED MODEL

• An integrated disaster management model is a means of organizing related activities to ensure their effective implementation.
•  Four main components can be identified:

1.    Hazard assessment

2.    Risk management

3.    Mitigation

4.    Preparedness.

• The first task in an integrated disaster management model is hazard assessment which provides the information necessary for the next phase, risk management.
• This result in decisions about the balance of mitigation and preparedness actions needed to address the risks.

 

3.  MANITOBA MODEL

• The Manitoba model is one of the famous Integrated models.
• This model  generally consists of a independent elements, namely

a)    Strategic plan

b)    Hazard assessment

c)    Risk management

d)    Mitigation.

e)    Preparedness

f)     Monitoring and evaluation

• Each element observes its own boundaries and involves its own set of activities and processes
• The advantage of this model is that it provides a balance between preparedness and flexibility in order to respond fluidly to the specific needs of disasters.
• As this model provides the link between actions and events in disasters, such links can be tight or loose.

 

4. CAUSE MODEL

• The third category of these models is cause model.
• The cause category is not based on the idea of defining stages in a disaster.
• This category suggests some underlying causes of disasters.
• The Crunch model is one of them which propose a frame to understand the causes of a disaster.
• This model is based on the belief that there are some factors that affect the vulnerability to disasters
• In this model these factors are identified as elements at risk such as Lives and properties of humans environment and infrastructure.
• The progression of vulnerability of a community is revealed and the underlying causes that fail to satisfy the demands of the people are identified.
• The model then goes on to estimate the dynamic pressure and unsafe conditions.

5. CUNY MODEL

 

• This model is the combination of Logical Model, Integrated Model and Cause Model.
• Compilation of features of all three model.

 

Roles and responsibilities of stakeholders

1.   Role of the Union Government

·         Although the State Government concerned has the primary responsibility for crisis management,

·         The Union Government plays a key supportive role in terms of physical and financial resources and providing complementary measures, such as early warning and coordination of efforts of all union ministries, departments and organisations.

·          At the apex level, a Cabinet Committee on Natural Calamities reviews the crisis situation.

·          A high level committee of ministers under the chairmanship of Minister of Agriculture deals with the issue of financial support to be provided to the State Governments from the National Disaster Response Fund, if the funds available with the State Governments under State Disaster Response Fund are not adequate.

·          Matters relating to nuclear, biological and chemical emergencies are looked after by the Cabinet Committee on Security.

 

2.   Role of State Government

• In India, the basic responsibility to undertake rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures in the event of natural disasters rests with the state government.
• Since the very beginning, the entire structure of crisis administration in the state governments had been oriented towards post disaster relief and rehabilitation. 
• Most of the states have Relief Commissioners who are in charge of the relief and rehabilitation measures.
• Most of the states have switched over to a Disaster Management Department with the required linkages with the various development and regulatory departments concerned with prevention, mitigation and preparedness.
• Every state has a Crisis Management Committee under the chairpersonship of the Chief Secretary, consisting of secretaries in charge of concerned departments, which reviews crisis situations on a day-to-day basis at the time of crisis, coordinates the activities of all departments and provides decision support system to the district administration.
• At the ministers’ level, a Cabinet Committee on Natural Calamities under the chairpersonship of the Chief Minister takes stock of situations and is responsible for all important policy decisions.

3.   Role of District Administration

·          The District Magistrate/Collector has the responsibility for overall management of disasters in the district.

·          He has the authority to mobilise the response machinery and has been given financial powers to draw money under the provisions of the General Financial Rules/Treasury Codes.

·          All departments of the State Government, including the police, fire services, public works, irrigation etc., work in a coordinated manner under the leadership of the Collector during a disaster, except in metropolitan areas where the municipal body plays a major role.

·          The District Collector also enjoys the authority to request for assistance from the Armed Forces if circumstances so demand.

·          NGOs have also been effective in providing relief, rescue and rehabilitation in recent times.

4.   Role of Local Self-Governments

• Local self-governments, both rural and urban, have emerged as important tiers of governance, after the 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Constitution.
• For the people, they are also the nearest units of administration and are among the first responders to any crisis besides being closely knit with the communities.
• These units can thus play an important role in crisis management under the overall leadership of the District Administration.

5.   Role of Public/NGO/Civil Society/Media:

• The local community is usually the first responder in case of a disaster.
• Local community also carries traditional knowledge and relevant counter measures regarding disaster management.
• So the role of local community must be utilised with the help of NGOs and media. 
• They should be encouraged to play an active role in all three phases of disaster management.
• District administration should also focus on capacity building, participation and empowerment of these stakeholders in disaster management.
• Mobilisation of community action supported by local NGOs, along with government machinery is a must for quick, efficient and effective response.
• For this, healthy coordination must exist between local administration and local community/NGOs.
• Local NGOs and civil society must work on developing a deep culture of safety and prevention in society.

 

6.   The Role of Community in Disaster Response

• Community based disaster management (CBDM) is anchored in the disaster risk reduction framework.
• CBDM 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:

a)    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.

b)    Minimize human suffering.

c)    Hasten recovery.

• Through CBDM vulnerable groups and communities can be transformed to disaster resilient communities, which can withstand and recover from stresses and shocks from the natural/physical and socio-economic political environment.

With the shifting of paradigms from reactive emergency management to disaster risk reduction, there is more stress on proactive pre-disaster interventions, which are usually categorized as prevention, mitigation, and preparedness.

 

Interrelationship of disaster and development

 

• Disasters and development are closely linked.
• Disasters can both destroy development initiatives and create development opportunities.
• Development schemes can both increase and decrease vulnerability.
• In the traditional approach to disasters, the attitude was that the disasters, especially natural ones, were an act of god and as such were beyond human control; accepting death and damage to property was part of the costs.
• With such an attitude, most development plans were designed without consideration for the effect disasters would have on community plans and vice versa.
• When a disaster did occur, the response was directed at meeting emergency needs and cleaning up.
• In the current approach, it has been realized that much more can and need to be done to reduce the severity of hazards and disasters.
•  A growing body of knowledge on the relationships between disasters and development indicates four basic themes as follows:

a)    Disasters set back development programming, destroying years of development initiatives.

b)    Rebuilding after a disaster provides significant opportunities to initiate development programmes.

c)    Development programmes can increase an area’s susceptibility to disasters.

d)    Development programmes can be designed to decrease the susceptibility to disasters and their negative consequences.

• Thus, the policy makers cannot ignore the relationship between the disaster and development.
• Projects are thus being designed to include disaster recovery programmes and with long term development needs in mind.
• Disasters can significantly impede the effectiveness of development resource allocation