Promoting an ‘Alternative Perspective’ for Disaster Risk Reduction in South Asia An update on recent Disaster Risk Reduction initiatives by

Introduction to Duryog Nivaran Established 1995 to: build a platform for regional dialogue to facilitate effective regional cooperation, interaction, and information and experience sharing build a concerned media research policy, practice and grass root community actions in the South Asian Region

‘Alternative Perspective’ Disasters/conflicts are part of the normal process of development Mitigation of disasters/conflict is possible and should be aimed Analysis of linkages in society during normal times is fundamental to understand disasters/conflicts Reducing people’s vulnerability to disaster/conflicts can be done by strengthening their capacity that happen through changes to above relationships/structures in society.

‘Alternative Perspective’ Cont.. Decentralized institutions should lead intervention strategies. Participation of people paramount in this; people treated as “partners” in development E nsuring accountability and transparency in implementation emphasized Disasters/conflicts viewed as opportunities for social transformation

DN’s role in South Asia Policy Dialogue in August 2006 in New Delhi organized with the Home Ministry of Government of India - South Asian regional consensus on DRR Action plan to operationalise regional consensus at meeting organized with the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights, Government of Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2007 Technical inputs to government of Sri Lanka to mainstream DRR into development planning

DN’s Role in South Asia Participated in both GAR and VFL 2009 processes International/Regional research comparative analysis e.g. analysis on gender mainstreaming in South Asia 2009) South Asia Disaster Report 2005 & 2008 Assist SDMC to compile HFA progress in South Asia

Current Contribution SADR 2009 (interim) on Climate Change and DRR in South Asia Update DRSL framework based on action research feed back over last 4-5 years Promotion of DDRM as a planning and implementing process to move towards DRR at local level

Decentralized Disaster Risk Management Disasters are pending issues and unresolved problems of development and governance Decentralization is the policy of delegating more decision-making authority throughout levels of governance, away from a central authority The concept derives its insights from the learning of CBDRM concept and practice spreading over last ten years in South Asia DDRM advocates that local level governance institutions are actively engaged in risk reduction

Decentralized Disaster Risk Management Focus LG Limitations of CBDRM Studied LG in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka Work with LG and piloting some concepts on ground in SL Worked with PDMA to consider institutionalizing the process

DN’s position Hierarchy –Elected; changing; locally rooted – Administrative; Techno centric and bureaucratic Recognize multiple crisis –Political leadership lack visioning capacity –Administrative layer lack competence, comprehension and motivation

DDRM as a planning approach DDRM recommends to work at both level –Engage political leadership on visioning –Incentives for administration

Resources Create knowledge base/information systems Planning tools Understand resource availability Deficits/gaps

Resources Fiscal Understand mechanisms and allocations Stock taking allocations (budget lines) Complementing resources Gaps

DDRM Approach to local DRR ; a process not a project Reverse investing bottom up with top down ; target setting crisis Backstopping for both levels Facilitate visioning, planning and communication strategy

Communication Media Outdoor campaigning Documentaries in local/regional languages buying air time 3D animation South Asia WG on LG and DRR SA political leaders dialogue