Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Disasters, both natural and human-induced, pose significant threats to sustainable development globally. While hazard exposure is inevitable, the extent of damage and loss depends on a community’s ability to withstand, adapt to, and recover from these shocks. This ability is termed ‘disaster resilience’. It’s not merely about bouncing back to the pre-disaster state, but about ‘bouncing forward’ – building back better and strengthening systems to reduce future risks. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030) recognizes resilience as a central goal, aiming to substantially reduce disaster risk and loss of life, livelihood, and health.
What is Disaster Resilience?
Disaster resilience is the ability of a system, community, or society exposed to hazards to resist, absorb, accommodate, adapt to, transform, and recover from the effects of a hazard in a timely and efficient manner, including through the preservation and restoration of its essential basic structures and functions. It encompasses not just physical infrastructure but also social, economic, and environmental systems.
How is Disaster Resilience Determined?
Disaster resilience is determined by a complex interplay of factors, including:
- Physical Infrastructure: Quality of buildings, roads, dams, and other critical infrastructure.
- Social Capital: Strong community networks, trust, and collective efficacy.
- Economic Resources: Diversified livelihoods, access to financial resources, and insurance coverage.
- Governance & Institutional Capacity: Effective disaster management policies, early warning systems, and responsive institutions.
- Environmental Sustainability: Healthy ecosystems that provide natural buffers against hazards.
- Knowledge & Awareness: Public understanding of disaster risks and preparedness measures.
Elements of a Resilience Framework
A comprehensive resilience framework typically includes the following elements:
1. Risk Assessment & Analysis
Identifying potential hazards, assessing vulnerability, and estimating the potential impacts. This involves hazard mapping, vulnerability assessments, and risk modeling.
2. Early Warning Systems
Establishing systems to detect and forecast hazards, disseminate timely warnings, and facilitate evacuation and preparedness measures. India’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) plays a crucial role in this.
3. Preparedness Planning
Developing contingency plans, conducting drills and exercises, and stockpiling essential supplies. This includes community-based disaster preparedness programs.
4. Response Capacity
Strengthening emergency response teams, establishing evacuation centers, and ensuring access to medical care and other essential services. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is a key component of India’s response capacity.
5. Recovery & Reconstruction
Implementing programs to restore livelihoods, rebuild infrastructure, and provide psychosocial support to affected communities. ‘Build Back Better’ principles should be integrated into reconstruction efforts.
6. Mitigation & Prevention
Implementing measures to reduce the underlying causes of disaster risk, such as land-use planning, building codes, and ecosystem restoration. The National Mission for Prevention of Natural Disasters under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) focuses on this.
Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030) – Global Targets
The Sendai Framework outlines seven global targets:
| Target | Description |
|---|---|
| Target 1 | Substantially reduce global disaster mortality. |
| Target 2 | Substantially reduce the number of affected people globally. |
| Target 3 | Reduce direct disaster economic loss in relation to global GDP. |
| Target 4 | Substantially reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure. |
| Target 5 | Increase the number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies. |
| Target 6 | Enhance international cooperation to developing countries. |
| Target 7 | Increase availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems. |
These targets are interconnected and require a holistic, multi-sectoral approach to disaster risk reduction.
Conclusion
Disaster resilience is paramount for sustainable development and requires a proactive, integrated approach. Strengthening resilience necessitates investments in infrastructure, social capital, and institutional capacity, alongside a commitment to risk reduction and ‘building back better’. The Sendai Framework provides a crucial roadmap for global action, emphasizing the importance of reducing exposure, vulnerability, and hazard characteristics. Effective implementation of these strategies is vital to protect lives, livelihoods, and the environment from the increasing impacts of disasters.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.