Here are the key points from the case: - MERCY Malaysia provided trauma counseling and psychosocial programming to help survivors of the Indian Ocean tsunami that devastated Sri Lanka. - They deployed Tamil-speaking mental health volunteers to ensure beneficiaries fully benefited from counseling support. - 500 of the 2,000 survivors counseled were children, who received counseling through art and play therapy. - Volunteers visited internally displaced persons camps to provide individual, family, and community-based psychosocial intervention and counseling. - Educational posters on tsunamis were also developed to provide information to survivors. This case highlights the important role of NGOs like MERCY Malaysia in providing trauma counseling and psychosocial

1. PSYCHO-SOCIAL ISSUES IN DISASTER
MANAGEMENT - ROLE OF NGOS AND
VOLUNTARY AGENCIES
Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy
saibhaskarnakka@gmail.com

2. 2

3. 3

4. Disaster-affected people experience various
psychological reactions. These reactions
immediately follow the event while socio-economic
impacts like lack of employment; homelessness,
environmental destruction and disorganisation
emerge as a consequence, following the
devastation caused by the disaster.
The emotional reactions should be understood based
on the manifestation of various stress reactions,
level of effort put by the people for their own
reconstruction, the pattern and amount of disability
created due to these psychological stress etc.

5. The emotional
reactions should be
understood based
on the
manifestation of
various stress
reactions, level of
effort put by the
people for their own
reconstruction, the
pattern and amount
of disability created
due to these
psychological stress
etc. 5

6. PSYCHOLOGICALLY PREPARED?
ARE WE
PSYCHOLOGICALLY PREPARED?
ARE WE
For every physical
injury, there may be 5-6
psychological injuries
This may overwhelm
and impede our
emergency and/or
medical response.

7. CRITICAL INCIDENT
Exposure to a traumatic event in which both of the following were present:
CRITICAL INCIDENT

 The person experiences, witnessed, or was
confronted with an event or events that involved
actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a
threat to the physical integrity of self or others.
 The person’s response involved intense fear,
helplessness or horror. (DSM-IV TR)

8. PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACT – CONSIDERATIONS
PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACT – CONSIDERATIONS
 Prior experience with a similar event
 Prior trauma
 The intensity of the disruption in the
survivors’ lives
 The resilience of the individual

9. CONSIDERATIONS
PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACT –
CONSIDERATIONS
PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACT –
 The length of time that has elapsed between
the event occurrence and the present
•Children/families
•Seniors
 Pre-existing vulnerabilities •Disabled
•Bereaved
•Health impairments
 Man-Caused vs. •Women
Naturally Occurring
Events

10. CONSEQUENCES OF CRITICAL INCIDENTS OFTEN
CONSEQUENCES OF CRITICAL INCIDENTS OFTEN
INCLUDE LOSS
INCLUDE LOSS
Loss of employment / income
Loss of material goods
Loss of loved ones
 Tangible Loss
Loss of home

11. THE DISASTER MANAGEMENT CYCLE
It’s important to be involved in all of these dimensions, not just response

12.  Intangible Loss
INCLUDE LOSS
CONSEQUENCES OF CRITICAL INCIDENTS OFTEN
INCLUDE LOSS
CONSEQUENCES OF CRITICAL INCIDENTS OFTEN
Loss of safety / security (real or perceived)
Loss of predictability
Loss of social cohesion/connection/support
Loss of dignity, trust and safety
Loss of positive self-image/self-esteem
Loss of trust in the future, identity, independence
Loss of hope
Loss of CONTROL

13. EMERGENCY
POSSIBLE PSYCHOLOGICAL REACTIONS TO A LARGE-SCALE
EMERGENCY
POSSIBLE PSYCHOLOGICAL REACTIONS TO A LARGE-SCALE
 Many people survive disasters without
developing any significant psychological
symptoms.
 For other individuals, the reactions will
disappear over time.
“Just because you have experienced a disaster
does not mean you will be damaged by it, but you
will be changed by it.”
(Weaver 1995)

14. GRIEF AND LOSS
GRIEF AND LOSS
 Not an even process
 Takes time
 Can become stuck in the process
 May spawn other problems
 Nothing like T & T (Time and Talking)

15. SUPPORTING
OTHERS

16.  Primarily directed toward “normal” people who are responding
ROLE OF DISASTER MENTAL HEALTH?
ROLE OF DISASTER MENTAL HEALTH?
normally to an abnormal situation
 Improve resistance, resilience and recovery.
 Identifying those at risk for severe social or psychological
impairment
 Identify those in need of additional or special services.

17. ROLE OF DISASTER MENTAL HEALTH?
ROLE OF DISASTER MENTAL HEALTH?
 Mitigate post trauma sequelae
 May prevent future problems
 Helps people to handle problems in a way that does not create MORE
problems
 Convey sense of compassion and support for people.

18.  Experience has shown that:
TRAUMA
PSYCHOLOGICAL RESPONSE TO
No one who sees a disaster
is untouched by it.
Most people pull together
& function during and after
a disaster, but their
effectiveness is diminished.
Most people do not see
themselves as needing
mental health services
following a disaster and
will not seek such services.

19.  Experience has shown that:
TRAUMA
PSYCHOLOGICAL RESPONSE TO
Survivors respond to active, genuine interest
& concern.
Survivors may reject disaster assistance of all
types.
Disaster mental health assistance is often
more practical than psychological in nature.
Social support systems are crucial to recovery.

20. PSYCHOLOGICAL RESPONSE TO TRAUMA
 While there may be specific disaster-related stressors,
underlying concerns and needs are consistent across a
range of traumatic events. These include:
A concern for basic survival
Grief and loss over loved ones & loss of valued and meaningful
possessions
Fear & anxiety about personal safety & the physical safety of
loved ones
A need to talk about events & feelings associated with the
disaster, often repeatedly
A need to feel one is a part of the community & its recovery
efforts

21. Phases of Disaster
Honeymoon
(community cohesion) llllllllllll
Reconstruction
Heroic f (a new beginning)
r ie
Pre-Disaster Disillusionment G
gh ms)
o u t er
Threat T h r to
g g
in min
Warning EVENT ork o
W (c
Inventory
Trigger Events and
Anniversary Reactions
Time 1 to 3 days 1 to 3 years

22. (COMMUNITY COHESION)
HONEYMOON
HONEYMOON
Survivors may be elated
Happy just to be alive
This phase will not last

23. DISILLUSIONMENT
DISILLUSIONMENT
Reality of disaster
“hits home”
Loss and Grief
becomes prominent

24. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
What main attributes and
skills should a volunteer have
when offering psychological
support?

25. ESSENTIAL ATTRIBUTES AND SKILLS
ESSENTIAL ATTRIBUTES AND SKILLS
 Good Listening skills
 Patient
Empathetic
 Caring attitude Non-judgmental
Trustworthy

 Approachable
approach
 Culturally aware Kind
Committed
Flexible
Able to tolerate
chaos

26. AID
T
FIRS
CAL
OGI
HOL
PSYC
OF
LS
GOA
 Psychological first aid (PFA) promotes and sustains
an environment of:
SAFETY
CALM
CONNECTEDNESS
SELF-EFFICACY
HOPE

27. THE ENERGY CURVE
THE ENERGY CURVE
Agitation
Anxiety Tension Reduction
Baseline

28. REACTIONS
PSYCHOLOGICAL RESPONSE TO TRAUMA SURVIVORS’ NEEDS AND
REACTIONS
 People often experience strong and unpleasant
emotional and physical responses following exposure
to traumatic events (e.g. disasters).
 These may include a combination of:
SURVIVORS’ NEEDS AND
•Fear & anxiety •Sleep disturbances
•Grief & loss •Physical pain
•Shock •Confusion
•Hopelessness •Shame
•Loss of Confidence •Shaken faith
•Mistrust •Aggressiveness

29. POSSIBLE PSYCHOLOGICAL REACTIONS TO A LARGE-SCALE
POSSIBLE PSYCHOLOGICAL REACTIONS TO A LARGE-SCALE
EMERGENCY
EMERGENCY
For most people, things get
better with time…

30. CATEGORIES OF REACTIONS AFTER THE INCIDENT
CATEGORIES OF REACTIONS AFTER THE INCIDENT
•Acute Stress Disorder / Post Trauma Stress Disorder
•Grief
•Depression •Avoidance (emotional)
•Resilience •Substance abuse
Mental Health •Risk taking
and Illness •Over Dedication
Human
Distress Behavior in
Responses High Stress
Environments
•Fear / worry
•Sleep disturbance
•Altered productivity

31. HOW DO NGOS HELP?
How do we achieve “The right to life with dignity”?
Prevent/mitigate impacts of disasters
Provide food, water, health, shelter, sanitation,
education, psychosocial support
Provide protection – presence, advocacy, reporting
Help rebuild lives and livelihoods
Advocate for affected people + promote changes to
ineffective or unjust systems
Mobilize governments, general public to help

32. Integrated NGOs (Relief and Development)
S
O
G
N
L
A
N
O
TI
A
N
R
E
T
N
I
EFICOR
CARE
Oxfam
World Vision
Save the Children (US, UK, etc.)
Caritas/Catholic Relief Services/Development & Peace
PLAN
ADRA
Specialized in Relief or Specific Sectors
MSF/Doctors Without Borders (France, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain,
Canada)
Global Medic
Action Contre le Faim – health nutrition and water
Canadian Food Grains Bank

33. NATIONAL NGOS AND COMMUNITY
BASED ORGANIZATIONS (CBOS)
Characteristics
Often focused on specific sectors (eg. Health)
Sometimes faith-based or ethnically based
Some related to larger international movements
Some are quasi-governmental
Capacity often weak, but commitment often high.
Membership sometimes changing due to conflict
Issues
Are they representative of the community?
Appropriate capacity building measures?
Sustainability? Accountability? Impartiality/Neutrality

34. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURES
Confederations
Multiple branches in same country
Coordination of planning and structures among
members
Leadership and response staffing positioned globally
Federations
One office in each country
Tighter coordination of planning, structures
Leadership and response staff usually positioned
globally
One-office NGOs
Leadership and response staff usually in head offices
Smaller; focused on a few countries

35. General Public
RESOURCE STREAMS
Mass appeals
Large donors, foundations
Fundraising from the public and corporations equaled
approximately 24% of humanitarian assistance from govt
sources
Government Grants
UN Contract
Resources in Kind – good and services
International NGOs (excluding Red Cross) manage approximately
40-60% of all humanitarian assistance funding
6 or 7 large INGO “families” manage most of these
resources

36. 10 PRINCIPLES OF THE CONDUCT OF
CONDUCT
1. The humanitarian imperative comes first
2. Aid is given regardless of the race, creed or nationality of the recipients
and without adverse distinction of any kind. Aid priorities are calculated
on the basis of need alone
3. Aid will not be used to further a particular political or religious
standpoint
4. We shall endeavor not to act as instruments of government policy
5. We shall respect culture and custom
6. We shall attempt to build disaster response on local capacities
7. We shall be found to involve program beneficiaries in the management
of relief aid
8. Relief aid must strive to reduce future vulnerabilities to disaster as well
as meeting basic needs
9. We hold ourselves accountable to both those we seek to assist and
those from whom we accept resources
10. In our information, publicity and advertising activities, we shall
recognize disaster victims as dignified humans, not hopeless objects

37. THE HUMANITARIAN CHARTER
Standard Common to All Sectors
Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene
Food Security, Nutrition and Food Aid
Shelter, Settlement and Non-Food Items
Health Services

38. RESPONSE PREPAREDNESS
Early Warning Systems
Relief Operations Manuals
Emergency/Contingency Plans
Identifies most likely disaster scenarios.
Outlines roles and responsibilities
Rapid Response Teams
Assessment and Implementation Teams
Teams need proper equipment
Prepositioning supplies or arranging for quick delivery
Emergency Response Fund - funds available immediately
for emergencies

39. The Web of Relationships in Emergencies
Peacekeepers Rebels
Search & Rescue &
National Militias
Government
Bilateral
Donors
UN System/ P
R
Multilateral L I Disaster
O V
Agencies C A
Affected
A T People
L E
G S
O E
V C Vulnerable
T T
North NGOs/ South NGOs/ O Communities
R
Red Cross Local partners
CBOs
General Pubic/
Corporations
Newsmedia

40. Case 11: Disaster workers energy levels, Relief worker’s Self-Care
IMPACTS OF DISASTERS ON THE HEALTH SECTOR
Topic: Workers tire after 1-2 weeks in disaster
(health work activity in the disaster situation)
“I think the fatigue of staffs would peak about one week after the earthquake. I
thought we should not have felt “I have to be here” and took rest.”
“We felt that we had to be a leader and act because I am the health worker in the
area. We were totally tired just after two weeks. We held conference with assistant
health workers from outside areas. I said that we had no energy to continue. Replies
from assistants were warm. They said “How can we assist you to continue your
work?”
Lessons
•Emergency workers work until they are very tired – they are also stressed
•Outside mental health staff needed to help identify and solve worker
fatigue issues
•Perceived failure in saving lives can cause stress among disaster workers
40

41. Psychosocial programming
Case 25: Counseling for disaster survivors, Sri Lanka
Topic: NGO provision of trauma counseling and psychosocial programming
Indian Ocean Tsunami devastated three quarters of the coastline of Sri Lanka. At its
worst, in the early stages, there were nearly a million displaced persons.
MERCY Malaysia began response with their Psychosocial Support programs, which
covered trauma counseling as well as psychosocial activities. MERCY Malaysia made
efforts to deploy Tamil speaking mental health support volunteers in order that the
help would fully benefit the beneficiaries.
Five hundred out of the 2,000 survivors who were counseled by their volunteers were
children. With the children, MERCY Malaysia volunteers provided counseling through
art and play therapy. MERCY Malaysia’s volunteers visited the communities living in IDP
camps. Psychosocial intervention was given on an individual basis, in family groups as
well as in the form of community counseling sessions. Their volunteers also developed
artwork and informative posters illustrating facts on tsunamis. MERCY Malaysia
conducted a Mental Health Support Training Programme to better equip mental health
workers as well as family support workers to assist those affected.
Lessons
•Deploy psychosocial volunteers who speak the local language
•Art and play therapy used with children
•Psychosocial intervention took place on individual, family and community levels
•Knowledge of the risk and lessons on preparedness help individuals and
communities to deal with their experiences in a disaster
41

42. Psychosocial programming
Case 26: Measures for Psychosocial Support and Coping with Trauma, Tsunami, Thailand 2004
Topic: Actions of the Department of Mental Health
The tragedy of tsunami that struck Thailand on 26 December 2004 took a psychological
toll on both adults and children. The Department of Mental Health launched a
sustained effort to support those who were affected in dealing with the trauma and
stress of having lived though the disaster.
It mobilized staff response teams with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers,
nurses and pharmacists covering each affected district. These teams provided
individual and group counseling as well as medication for those in need. Home visits
are currently conducted on a weekly basis, and the programme is scheduled to
continue with monthly visits for two years.
DOMH also arranged outreach to schools to expand psychological education to assist
in coping with trauma. Counseling, drugs and treatment have been provided to
victims.
Lessons
•Team approach includes psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers,
nurses and pharmacists
•Interventions include home visits, and individual and group counseling
•Opening a mental health center expanded the reach of the psychosocial
interventions
42

43. Psychosocial programming
Case 35: Youth helping families to recover, IFRC Youth Award - Together for humanity:
Reducing the impact from disasters - Return of Happiness - Costa Rica Red Cross
Topic: Programming involving youngHonduran adult population
Hurricane Mitch on mental health of the people
“Return of Happiness”, the programme presented by the youth of the Costa Rica
Red Cross was winner of the Youth Award 2007. In the response to a disaster, youth
volunteers are mobilized to ensure psycho-social support to the vulnerable groups,
especially children, with at particular focus on child protection.
The special attention given to the training of youth volunteers, close cooperation
with UNICEF as well as with the Psychosocial Support Unit of the National Society,
and the prompt mobilization of the youth volunteers in the local communities
together resulted in increased motivation of the youth volunteers. This makes the
programme highly sustainable and contributes to rebuilding the material and social
aspects of the local communities.
Lessons
•Youth volunteers can be mobilized to help provide psychosocial support to
vulnerable groups especially children
•Youth volunteers must be trained
•Support from UNICEF motivated youth volunteers and helped the
community recover
43

44. •”
Activities Suggested With Children
PSYCHOSOCIAL PROGRAMMING
44

45. Sub Issue 5: Elderly
Sub Issue 2: Families
PSYCHOSOCIAL PROGRAMMING
“When helping the old-age population…….
Ensure medical aid and physical well-being.
Guard against extreme feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.
Encourage healthy grief reactions, such as crying, talking about losses.
Allow elders to talk about their fears, anxieties and guilt.
Encourage group meetings with elderly survivors.
Encourage participation in community decision making.”
45

46. •”
Activities Suggestions With Adults
PSYCHOSOCIAL PROGRAMMING
46

47. Case 62: Mourning the dead, The disaster of Armero (Colombia), 1985
Hurricane Mitch on mental health of the Honduran adult population
Topic: Recovering dead bodies
KEY PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES IN RECOVERY
The town of Armero, in the Colombian Andes, was destroyed on 13 November 1985
by a volcanic eruption that caused an avalanche of ash, boiling mud, rocks, and trees.
The landslide was almost 2 km wide and reached speeds of 90 km/h. It killed 80
percent of the 30,000 inhabitants of Armero, and left almost 100,000 inhabitants
homeless in the surrounding region.
It was impossible to recover the corpses since the vast majority were dragged a great
distance and buried under tons of sand and rubble. This situation prevented
traditional ceremonies from being carried out, and many months after the disaster,
family members were excited by rumors that the dead had been seen nearby or in
far-off places, or wandering like a lost madman. Each of these false reports revised
new hopes that were always followed by new disappointments.
In the places where the houses stood, and which could more easily be identified later
than in the immediate months after the disaster, headstones were placed with the
names of the dead, and relatives now place flowers and say prayers there. They have
become symbolic graves where families can conduct memorial activities, albeit
belatedly.
Lessons
•Corpses are often lost in a disaster before relatives can claim them and bury them
as their culture dictates
•Symbolic sites are identified where relatives can place headstones and to pay
their respects to their dead relatives
47

48. A weather system consisting of an area of low
CYCLONE
pressure, in which winds circulate at speeds
exceeding 61 km/hr, also known as ‘Cyclone’ or
Tropical Storm.

49. CYCLONES FROM 1891– 2002

50. E
CYCLON
SUPER
The super cyclone of October 1999 generated a wind speed
of 252 km/h with an ensuing surge of 7–9m close to
Paradip in Orissa which caused unprecedented inland
inundation up to 35 km from the coast. It is worth noting
that, at times, persistent standing water was identified in
the satellite imageries even 11 days after the cyclone
landfall, as it happened in the Krishna delta in May 1990
and in several other instances. The Andhra Pradesh
cyclone in 1977 which hit Divi Seema also generated
winds exceeding 250 km per hour.

52. 2005
THE DISASTER MANAGEMENT ACT,
lays down institutional and coordination mechanism for effective Disaster
Management (DM) at the national, state, district and local levels. As
mandated by this Act, the Government of India (GoI) created a multi-
tiered institutional system consisting of the National Disaster
Management Authority (NDMA) headed by the Prime Minister, the State
Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) by the respective Chief
Ministers and the District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) by
the District Collectors and co-chaired by Chairpersons of the local
bodies. These bodies have been set up to facilitate a paradigm shift from
the hitherto reliefcentric approach to a more proactive, holistic and
integrated approach of strengthening disaster preparedness, mitigation
and emergency response.

53. AUTHORITY
NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT
The National Disaster Management Authority
(NDMA), as the apex body in the GoI, has the
responsibility of laying down policies, plans
and guidelines for DM and coordinating their
enforcement and implementation for
ensuring timely and effective response to
disasters

54. In essence, NDMA will concentrate on
prevention, preparedness, mitigation,
rehabilitation, reconstruction and recovery
and also formulate appropriate policies and
guidelines for effective and synergised
national disaster response and relief. It will
also coordinate the enforcement and
implementation of policies and plans.

55. NATIONAL DISASTER RESPONSE FORCE
The DM Act 2005 has mandated the constitution of
the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for the
purpose of specialised response to a threatening
disaster situation or disaster. The general
superintendence, direction and control of the force
is vested in, and exercised by, NDMA and the
command and supervision of this force is vested in
the Director General of NDRF. Presently, NDRF
comprises eight battalions with further expansion
to be considered in due course.

56. The National Institute of Disaster Management
MANAGEMENT
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DISASTER
(NIDM) has institutional capacity development as
one of its major responsibilities along with training,
documentation of research, networking and
development of a national level information base.
NIDM will function closely within the broad policies
and guidelines laid down by NDMA and assist in
developing training modules, impart training to
trainers and DM officials and strengthening of
Administrative Training Institutes (ATIs) in the state.
It will also be responsible for synthesising research
activities. NIDM will be geared towards emerging as
a ‘Centre of Excellence’ at the national and
international levels.

57. AUTHORITY
STATE DISASTER MANAGEMENT
At the state level, the State Disaster Management
Authority (SDMA) headed by the Chief Minister, will
lay down policies and plans for DM in the state. It
will, inter alia, approve the state plan in accordance
with the guidelines laid down by NDMA,

58. AUTHORITY
DISTRICT DISASTER MANAGEMENT
At the cutting edge level, the District Disaster
Management Authority (DDMA) headed by the
District Magistrate, with the elected representative
of the local authority as the co-chairperson,will act
as the planning, coordinating and implementing
body for DM and take all necessary measures for
the purposes of DM in the district in accordance
with the guidelines laid down by NDMA and SDMA.

59. LOCAL AUTHORITIES
This includes Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), Panchayati
Raj Institutions (PRIs), district and Cantonment
Boards and Town Planning Authorities for control
and management of civic services. These bodies will
ensure capacity building of their officers and
employees in DM, carry out relief, rehabilitation
and reconstruction activities in the affected areas
and will prepare DM plans in consonance with
guidelines of NDMA, SDMAs and DDMAs

60. CIVIL DEFENCE
In any disaster, it is the community that is always the
first responder. Outside help comes in only later.
Training the community and making such response
organised is therefore of utmost importance.

61. WMO
EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS
IMD
Hydrological
Oceanographic
Meteorological satellite data
from ships, observations from ocean data buoys,
coastal radars (conventional and Doppler) and
national and international satellites (geo-stationary
and polar orbiting)
Automatic weather stations
Rain gauges
Wind profilers

62. EFICOR formed the Disaster Management Committee (DMC) in
COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS
each target habitation. The DMC has taken-up the
ownership of community assets (raised borewells pump
sets, etc.). The Village level DMC's were attached to a single
management structure, called Disaster Management
Society. Core members of the Federation were provided
necessary training and exposure for managing the future
disasters. This federation is also tapping government
resources and managing their own programmes. Each DMC
in consultation with DMS is mobilizing the available
resources from the Govt. and other sources during the time
of disaster occurrence. In each DMC at least 2 to 3 women
members were nominated.
DMC also ensures the consistency of Task force s, periodic
mock drill exercises that are to be performed in the
habitations in every quarter. DMC also makes sure that
there is a review and updation of Task Force and DMC in
every 3 years, for active participation from all levels in the
habitations.

63. The Disaster Management Bill, 2005
Disaster Management Act, 2005
The National Disaster Management Authority
National Disaster Response Force
State Disaster Management Authority
District Disaster Management Authority
DISTRICT MP / MLA
DISASTER ZP
MANAGEMENT CHAIRPERSON
CELL / TASK DISTRICT
FORCE / COLLECTOR /
RELIEF AND JOINT
REHABILITATI COLLECTOR /
ON CELL CEO
SC / ST
RDO / SUB-
IEM ITDA CORPO
RATION
COLLECTOR
LAW
AND
ENGINEE
ORDER
R
MRO /
MDO DM SOCIETY AGRICULTUR
E
MPTC / HEALT
ZPTC H
D D D D
M M M M
C C C C
O O O O
M M M M
M M M M
IT IT IT IT
T T T T
E E E E
E E E E
D D D D
M M M M
C C C C
O O O O
M M M M
M M M M
IT IT IT IT
T T T T
E E E E
E E E E
DMC / DMS Organisational
DMC / DMS Organisational DMCs of each village in the
Structure area
Structure
GRAM PANCHAYAT
DM COMMITTEE
TASK FORCE TEAMS CBOs – RYTHU MITHRA
GROUPS, SELF-HELP
GROUPS, ETC.
WARNIN RESCU FIRST SHELTER
G E AID MANAGEMEN RELIEF
T

64. CAPACI
TY
DEVELO
PMENT

65. PRE FLOOD ACTIVITIES
Conducting meeting in the village regarding the possible
extent of flood and actions to be taken.
Checking of all rescue material. i.e.- bottles, coconut,
ropes, thermocoal boats, etc
Early warning group preparation
Identification of old people, pregnant ladies, kids
Identification of high raised place
Rice collected from all households
First aid material made ready
Kept ear on Radio news by warning groups

66. DURING FLOOD ACTIVITIES
Announcement in the village
Evacuation to safer place to old age people, ladies,
kids, sick people & live stock
Moved people to safer place (i.e. aged people,
pregnant women, children, sick people etc…)
Arrangement for temporary shelter
Approached Govt. for emergency relief
Availed rice and dal from Government for camp.
Used EFICOR high raised bore well for drinking water
Monitored the Water levels and receding status.

67. POST FLOOD ACTIVITIES
Flood Area survey
House damage survey
Water logging sites survey
Call to govt. medical team for medication
Cleaning of Debris and cleaning whole Village.
Bleaching powder spreading in water and logging areas
House damage assessment
Crop damage assessment (both the reports were given to the govt
officials, they were so amazed to see that how accurately it has
been done. Further the compensation and new houses were
sectioned according to this assessment.
Relief from Govt. & EFICOR distributed through DMC & Task force
Govt. Relief distributed equally in the village
Sick people were taken to hospital

68. CYCLONE?
HOW DO WE MITIGATE THE HAZARD FROM A
Monitoring
early warning systems
Infrastructure
cyclone walls
communal shelters
Education and planning

72. The frequency of heavy precipitation events has
increased over most land areas
- Rainfall in Mumbai (India), 2005:
1 million people lost their homes

73. RY
OVE
REC
IN
RNT
LEA
NS
SO
LES
E
FIV
1. It is possible to reduce loss of life and property
through preparedness
2. Preparedness is necessary at every level – national,
provincial, local and community
3. Preparedness is necessary in every sector
4. Pre-Disaster Recovery Planning to ensure better
coordination among various sectors in different
levels
5. Such planning needs to be formalized in the shape of
manuals and Standard Operating Procedures so that
there is no confusion during and after disasters

74. O
C
RE
F
O
ES
PL
CI
IN
PR
VE
FI
1. Holistic - cover housing, infrastructure, education, livelihood,
health, psycho-social care etc.
2. Long term - provide livelihood support including
development of skill, provisioning of credit and marketing
support etc
3. ‘Build back better’ - ensure that the houses and
infrastructure constructed after disasters withstand the
hazards and risks of nature and the hazards do not become
disasters again
4. Sustainable - integrate environmental issues, such
regeneration of mangroves, conservation of water,
5. Inclusive - care for poor and vulnerable - women, children,
aged, physically and mentally challenged people

75. O
W
E
M
A
FR
RY
VE
O
C
RE
Recovery
Pre- Disaster Recovery Planning
Sort Term Intermediate Long Term
(0 -30 days) (1 to 6 months) (6 m to 3 years)
• Search and rescue • Permanent housing
• Intermediate shelter
• Emergency health • Livelihood support
• Health Care
• Temporary shelter • Restoration of physical
• Continuation of support
• Food, clothes Infrastructure
for food, clothes etc
• Damage assessment • Restoration of
• Psycho-social care
• Restoration of critical social infrastructure
• School and day care
infrastructure (power, • Psycho-social recovery
• Preparation of
telephone, drinking • Documentation
long term recovery plan
water etc) • Memorials
• Arranging resources

76. N
E
G
A
D
E
SH
NI
FI
N
U
India has developed a legal and institutional system of disaster
management
India has also taken important steps for better response and
preparedness
Lots to be done for preparedness to match acceptable risks
Prevention and mitigation continues to remain weak
Early warning of flood and extreme weather events needs lots of
improvements
Hazard resistant building bye laws notified, but standard of
implementation is poor
Strengthening of lifeline structures still unattended task
Many metropolitan cities have accumulated risks and vulnerabilities
that trigger mega disasters in future
Country is yet to develop a risk transfer and risk insurance system

78. References
1. In Times of Crisis: Supporting Others, Supporting Ourselves, John Gaspari, LCSW,
Executive Director, USC Center for Work and Family Life, PPT
2. PSYCHOSOCIAL, I n t e r n a t I o n a l R e c o v e r y P l a t f o r m
eird.org/cd/recovery-planning/docs/5...english/6-Psychosocial.ppt
3. NGOs and Disaster Management, Presented on behalf of the PAGER NGOS by:
Mike Weickert, World Vision Canada, PPT
78