5th World Congress on Disaster Management

Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.

• Indian defence forces, under the aegis of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) have been carrying out HADR operations within the country as well as outside the country to deepen coordination with its neighbours and friendly countries with a focus on sharing expertise and building capabilities.
• During various HADR contingencies,Indian defence forces use well ingrained expertise in reconnaissance, damage assessment, evacuation, setting up of relief infrastructure, restoring communication & providing medical facilities, distributing ration supplies, clothing etc.
• Some notable HADR missions in the IOR undertaken by India in recent years, including Operation Rahat in Yemen in 2015 when India rescued and evacuated over 6,700 persons, including over 1,940 citizens of more than 40 other countries; cyclone in Sri Lanka in 2016; an earthquake in Indonesia in 2019; Cyclone Idai in Mozambique and flooding and landslides in Madagascar in January 2020 where Indian assistance was promptly provided. 

• The COVID-19 pandemic has not dented India’s commitment, which was demonstrated by India’s response during the Oil Spill in Mauritius in August 2020 and Oil tanker fire in Sri Lanka in September 2020. 

Other initiatives of india 

• India is taking the lead and offering the expertise of Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (DRI) to its friendly countries .
• Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) was first proposed by India during the 2016 Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in New Delhi.
• India has developed a large capacity for production of COVID-19 vaccines and is extending help to many countries .

Security and Growth for All in the Region(SAGAR Programme )

• SAGAR is a term coined by  Hon. PM Narendra Modi in 2015 during his Mauritius visit with a focus on the blue economy.
• It is a maritime initiative which gives priority to the Indian Ocean region (IOR) for ensuring peace, stability and prosperity of India in the Indian Ocean region.
• It is in line with the principles of the Indian Ocean Rim Association(IORA).
• Effective response mechanism to address humanitarian crises & natural disasters one of the most important pillars of SAGAR
• SAGAR has both distinct and inter-related elements such as
  • Deepening economic and security cooperation among the littoral states.
  • Enhancing capacities to safeguard land and maritime territories.
  • Working towards sustainable regional development.
  • Blue Economy and promoting collective action to deal with non-traditional threats like natural disasters, piracy and terrorism.

• Objectives of SAGAR:
  • To seek a climate of trust and transparency,

•  Respect for international maritime rules and norms by all countries,
•  Sensitivity to(towards) each other’s interests
•  Peaceful resolution of maritime issues 
•  Increase in maritime cooperation.

How is ‘Disaster’ and ‘Disaster management’ defined by Act?

• Disaster: It defines a ‘disaster’ as a catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area – arising from natural or man-made causes, or by accident or negligence. 
  • It  results in substantial loss of life, human suffering, or damage to and destruction of property or the environment.
• Disaster management: It is defined as a continuous and integrated process of planning, organising, coordinating and implementing measures necessary to prevent the danger or threat of a disaster, mitigating or reducing the risk of a disaster or its consequences; capacity-building; preparedness to deal with a disaster; and rehabilitation and reconstruction.