Describe various measures taken in India for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) before and after signing ‘Sendai Framework for DRR (2015-2030)’. How is this framework different from the ‘Hyogo Framework for Action, 2005’? (250 Words 15 Marks)

India has been at the forefront of disaster risk reduction (DRR), implementing a myriad of measures both before and after endorsing the ‘Sendai Framework for DRR (2015-2030).’ Before the adoption of this international accord, India had already established a comprehensive disaster management framework, encompassing policies, institutions, and community-based initiatives. Post the Sendai Framework, India has intensified its efforts to address disaster risks by enhancing resilience and reducing vulnerabilities. The framework emphasizes understanding and managing disaster risk, investing in risk reduction, and building resilience through various sectors such as health, education, and urban planning.

The Sendai Framework for DRR, which succeeded the ‘Hyogo Framework for Action, 2005,’ marks a significant shift in approach. While the Hyogo Framework focused primarily on reducing the loss of lives and livelihoods, the Sendai Framework takes a broader perspective by aiming to reduce the damage to critical infrastructure and disruptions to basic services. It emphasizes the importance of understanding disaster risk holistically, integrating risk reduction into development policies, and engaging all stakeholders, including local communities and the private sector. The Sendai Framework’s temporal scope, spanning from 2015 to 2030, also reflects a long-term commitment to sustained efforts in disaster risk reduction, recognizing the evolving nature of risks in a changing world. In essence, India’s measures before and after the adoption of the Sendai Framework underscore a proactive stance in addressing disaster risks, aligning with the global community’s collective vision for a more resilient and sustainable future.

Tag: Disaster and disaster management.  

Decoding the Question:   

• In the Introduction, define Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).  
• In Body,  
  • Discuss various measures taken for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) before signing of Sendai framework.  
  • Discuss steps taken for DRR after signing up of the Sendai framework.  
  • Discuss how the Sendai framework is different from the Hyogo framework.  
• Conclude the answer optimistically with some suggestions.  

Answer:   

Disaster leads to sudden disruption of normal life, causing severe damage to life and property. Its origin can be natural or man-made. India due to its geography and scarce resources is more prone to disasters. 

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is the strategy to minimise the risk from disasters. It aims to reduce the damage caused by natural hazards like earthquakes, floods, droughts, and cyclones, through an ethic of prevention. Disaster leads to sudden disruption of normal life, causing severe damage to life and property. Disaster can be manmade or natural.  

Measures taken by India Pre-Sendai Framework: 

• The Disaster Management Act was enacted in 2005, which ushered in a paradigm shift from a relief-centric approach to a more proactive regime that laid greater emphasis on preparedness, prevention and mitigation. 
• The National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM) has been prepared in pursuance of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, which laid the framework/roadmap for holistically handling disasters. 

More targeted and effective with Sendai Framework:  

• In 2016 India released the country’s first ever National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP).   
  • This is a document based on a global blueprint for reducing disaster risk.  It will cover all phases of disaster management, from prevention and mitigation to response and recovery.  
  • This new plan is based on the four priority areas of Sendai Framework DRR namely:   
    • Understanding disaster risk  
    • Disaster risk governance   
    • Investing in disaster resilient infrastructure.  
    • Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response. This response is to “Build Back Better” better rehabilitation and reconstruction.   
  • The NDMP has a regional approach which will not only be helpful for disaster management but for disaster planning.   
  • The NDMP can be implemented in a scalable manner in all phases of disaster management.   
  • The National Disaster Management Plan identified various activities such as early warning, information dissemination, fuel, search and rescue, medical care, transportation, and evacuation etc. for all those agencies responding to disasters.  

Differences between Sendai and Hyogo Frameworks include:  

Some major departures in the Sendai Framework:  

• Outcome based targets – For the first time the goals are defined in terms of outcome-based targets instead of focusing on sets of activities and actions.  
• Primary role of state – It places governments at the centre of disaster risk reduction with the framework emphasizing the need to strengthen the disaster risk governance.  
• Equal importance to disasters – It places almost equal importance on all kinds of disasters and not only on those arising from natural hazards.  
• Environment aspects – In addition to social vulnerability, it pays considerable attention to environmental aspects.  

Conclusion

Traditionally India has been vulnerable for disasters on account of its unique geo-climatic conditions. Disaster events such as floods, earthquake, landslide, urban floods, and cyclones etc. are recurrent phenomena. The changing climate adds more force to floods, flash floods, cyclones etc. which become a great threat for people. In this scenario, the Government adopted Sendai Framework and drafted nation and local level plans is a welcome step.

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