Reducing Vulnerability to Disasters in India GOI-USAID Disaster Management Support Project Fritz Institute Conference on Performance & Preparedness: Lessons from the Tsunami December 15, 2005

Vulnerability to Natural Disasters Is Increasing Around the World Population density & urbanization Settlements in hazard prone areas Poor natural resource management Thus - GOI’s new holistic approach to disaster management

Genesis of the Disaster Management Support Project (DMS) Visit of High Powered Committee to U. S Areas for collaboration identified – GOI Disaster Management Framework Consultation meetings Bi-lateral agreement signed

Components of the DMS Capacity building  Incident Command System (ICS)  Institution Building  Emergency Operations Centers (EOC)  Search & Rescue (SAR) Climate Forecasting Systems (CFS) Disaster Initiatives

Incident Command System (ICS) Objective: Establish an Indian ICS Purpose: To improve on-site disaster response Activities:  Development of a plan for establishment of Indian ICS  Adapting ICS courses to Indian context  Training and establishing a cadre of Indian Instructors  Consultation visits and training in the U.S. Key players: MHA, USFS, LBSNAA, ATIs

Climate Forecasting Systems Objective: Strengthen warning systems Purpose: To provide effective / actionable warnings in the event of weather related disasters Sub-projects: 5 sub-projects Activities: Consultation visits to the U.S. Long-term training in the U.S. Workshops / seminars / studies Development of planning and decision making tools Key players: MHA, IMD, NCMRWF, CWC, USGS, NOAA

Development of disaster management plans Vulnerability assessments Increased public awareness GOI-UNDP Disaster Risk Management Program

Information sharing on disaster resistant construction Application of building codes Retrofitting of critical facilities Non-structural mitigation Earthquake Safety Initiative

Tsunami Recovery Program $14 M mainly in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry Livelihoods, skills training, protection of women and children, maintaining temporary settlements in a habitable condition $5 M to help communities be better prepared for the next disaster $2 M to link Nagapattinam and Cuddalore with cities in Florida – focus on city planning and mitigation for potential disasters

Value of International Cooperation U. S. has valuable experience & expertise as do many other countries Collaborating with GOI is mutually beneficial We can all work together to reduce the risk posed by disasters everywhere in the world