Recovery and Reconstruction in India: Future Directions PRE-DRP Recovery and Reconstruction in India: Future Directions

Recovery and Reconstruction: An Evolving Practice Large-scale Reconstruction Programmes in India after Major Disasters Several major reconstruction programmes implemented in various states through WB and international support Implemented through Special Purpose Vehicles Significant state capacity needed; States which had stronger governance systems did better

A Lack of Alternative Recovery Models Not many recovery programmes funded through internal resources In most of the cases, states support just relief following a disaster Certain states implement recovery through linkages with national development programmes These linkages are not always efficient, and Implementation and monitoring mechanisms are not strong

A Lack of Recovery has High Costs PRE-DRP Households slide into poverty; increase their risk and vulnerability A vicious cycle sets in through depressed investment Increases regional disparities in India Prevents opportunity for implementing risk reduction, and A significant impact on the achievement of development goals

A Review of Enabling Mechanisms for Recovery PRE-DRP Both the DM Act 2005 and the National Policy on DM 2009 have references to rehabilitation and reconstruction Recovery, reconstruction, rehabilitation--various terms used interchangeably—have policy support and legal mandate However, the enabling mechanisms for their implementation are not in place These enabling mechanisms are: assessment of damages and losses, institutional capacities for recovery planning, and financial allocations

Assessment of Damages and Losses PRE-DRP A comprehensive and inclusive assessment of damages and losses is essential to identify needs and develop recovery interventions. Define the methodology to conduct a post-disaster assessment; at present, the assessment focuses on central assistance Determine roles & responsibilities for conducting assessment Assess damages and losses for all the affected sectors Identify recovery needs, and estimate the cost of recovery Validate the assessment and approve it officially.

Institutional Arrangements for Recovery (1) PRE-DRP Option 1: A special agency set up for recovery and reconstruction Option 2: One of the departments acts as a coordinating agency for implementing the plan Option 3: Different ministries and departments have roles in implementing the plan Option 4: Local Governments entrusted with implementation; and Option 5: NGOs and communities implement the programme.

Institutional Arrangements for Recovery (1) PRE-DRP Recovery is a collaborative effort; it should encourage participation of different stakeholders A sustainable arrangement is where one department assumes a lead role of planning and coordination Different ministries and departments would need to contribute to recovery Local governments, NGOs and communities also need to participate

Financial Mechanisms for Recovery (1): PRE-DRP At present, there is no window of funding for recovery NDRF and SDRF do not allocate resources for recovery There is no special grant for recovery through Finance Commission In most of large-scale disasters, the government seeks loans from IFIs

Financial Mechanisms for Recovery (2) PRE-DRP Developing national financial mechanisms are key to recovery Recovery is not expensive; it is affordable and sustainable if costs are shared Center and states should share the cost of recovery Households need not receive the total cost of recovery; on an average, they contribute at least 60 percent of recovery costs A recovery programme is implemented over three to five years; if planned well, the annual outflow would not be burdensome

Financial Mechanisms for Recovery (3) PRE-DRP Setting up a window for recovery within NDRF and SDRF Specific Budgetary Allocations for Recovery Pooling resources through various Central Government programmes Co-sharing with private sector Private donations, and Surcharges/tax can be levied to support Recovery

Developing Implementation Guidelines PRE-DRP A considerable amount of learning available through reconstruction programmes The lessons learnt should be used to develop recovery guidelines Guidelines to be developed collaboratively with states Guidelines lay down the principles and nature of assistance clearly A functional set up to implement the guidelines

Key Principles of Recovery PRE-DRP Recovery is an important element of DRR; it should be given equal attention Recovery must improve the well-being of communities; it connects with development Recovery must be inclusive and non-discriminatory Recovery is a multi year process that can take 3-5 years. Governments must support the process through the period of implementation The process of recovery could be very contentious and lead to conflicts. There should be mechanisms for conflict resolution Women’s participation and leadership of recovery improves results significantly

NDMA’s Leadership Role in Recovery PRE-DRP NDMA needs to play a leadership role in promoting recovery; A policy dialogue with Niti Ayog on recovery would be necessary at the central level Develop institutional and financial mechanisms for recovery at the state level NDMA and NIDM should participate in the assessment of damages and losses A functional set up for recovery within NDMA, which provides technical assistance and monitors recovery programmes, and Training programmes in assessment and recovery planning; document recovery programmes, and disseminate lessons learnt.

Regional Assistance for Recovery PRE-DRP India has considerable experience of implementing recovery programmes India has provided support for recovery in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh India has pledged a large scale reconstruction programme in Nepal India has a pool of technical resources for supporting recovery These experiences and resources should lead India to step up its regional role Set up a facility which provides recovery assistance to South Asian countries

PRE-DRP Thank you