1. The document discusses mainstreaming disaster risk reduction through development programs by integrating risk reduction measures into development policies, programs, and projects. 2. It outlines the paradigm shift from post-disaster relief and rehabilitation to pre-disaster mitigation and preparedness by linking disaster management to development. 3. Mainstreaming disaster risk reduction requires five steps: awareness raising, enabling an supportive environment, changing operational practices, measuring progress, and sharing learning experiences. It is important but difficult to sustain risk reduction initiatives after disasters strike.

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DISASTER AND DEVELOPMENT
MAINSTREAMING DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
Dr. P.K Mishra
Chairman, Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission
Ahmedabad
The 14th Regulators & Policymakers Retreat 2013
Goa, 1-4 August 2013

2. A catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any
area, arising from natural or man made causes, or by
accident or negligence which results in substantial loss of
life or human suffering or damage to, and destruction of,
property, or damage to, or degradation of, environment,
and is of such a nature or magnitude as to be beyond the
coping capacity of the community of the affected area.
WHAT IS A DISASTER

3. Recent trend of disasters
• Increase in frequency and intensity of
disasters
• Why hazards become disasters?
• Development activities could create new
forms of vulnerability
• Linkages between disaster and
development; poverty and vulnerability
•
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4. PARADIGM SHIFT IN DISASTER
MANAGEMENT
Initiatives
 International Decade for Natural Disaster reduction
(IDNDR)
 Yokohama Strategy and Plan of Action for a safer
world 1994
 Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-15: Building the
resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters

5. Efforts
 Approach shifting from post disaster relief &
rehabilitation to pre-disaster mitigation & preparedness
 Linking Disaster Management to Development
Programmes
 Focus on insurance and risk transfer mechanisms
Cont’d

6. Some Hypotheses
 Lessons of disasters do not automatically spread
over geographical space and time.
 Post-disaster recovery and reconstruction provide
an opportunity for risk reduction efforts
 Risk reduction initiatives have greater
acceptability, speed and effectiveness during post-
disaster scenario
 However, one cannot wait for a disaster to
happen. Mainstreaming of DRR is necessary.

7. Mainstreaming DRR with
Development
• Mainstreaming means to integrate into
regular or the predominant activity
• Need to analyse how potential hazards
could effect programmes and projects
• Impact of policies, porgrammes and
projects on vulnerability to natural hazards
• Treating risk reduction as an integral part
of development
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8. Five steps to mainstreaming
• Awareness raising,
• Enabling environment,
• Change in operational practice,
• Measuring progress, and
• Learning and Experience sharing.
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9. Some recent initiatives
• A chapter on disaster management in the
Tenth Five Year Plan
• Eleventh Five Year Plan focused on
strengthening disaster preparedness
• Twelfth Five Year Plan envisages to
further build on earlier efforts
• Report of the working group on disaster
management for the 12th plan.
•
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Photo by : Ashok B. TrivediPhoto by : Ashok B. Trivedi

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Photo by : Ashok B. TrivediPhoto by : Ashok B. Trivedi

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RECONSTRUCTION & REHABILITATION

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THE KUTCH EARTHQUAKE RECONSTRUCTION
PROGRAMME: MOST INFLUENTIAL POST-
DISASTER RECONSTRUCTION INITIATIVE
 A strong foundation for national level initiatives, e.g.
• Mitigation projects, changes in syllabus
• Capacity building in search & rescue
• Disaster Management Act, 2005
• Creation of the National Disaster Management
Authority
• Community-based disaster preparedness initiatives
 Disaster Management Authorities in several States
 Framework for post-disaster reconstruction in the
context of subsequent disasters

14. Some Lessons and Challenges
 It is easier to convince various stakeholders regarding the
need of risk reduction measures immediately after a
disaster
 Even in Gujarat, such initiatives were taken after the
earthquake of 2001 and not after the Latur earthquake,
1993
 Organizational structure, governance issues and political
will are key factors which determine the effectiveness of
risk reduction measures
 Public and media pressures for early results dampen risk
reduction initiatives
 Sustainability of such measures remains an issue even in
Gujarat.
 Role of international organizations is important
 Coordination of activities of international organizations and
NGOs is crucial

15. Good governance for
mainstreaming
• An appropriate institutional structure
• A legal framework
• Participation of stakeholders
• Accountability
• Transparency and information
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16. SOME QUESTIONS
• CAN WE PREPARE A ROADMAP FOR
MAINSTREAMING DRR THROUGH
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES?
• HOW TO MAKE IT SUSTAINABLE?
• CAN WE DESIGN AN INSTITUTIONAL
STRUCTURE?
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THANK YOU