Background

Disaster preparedness and response are two strategic areas identified by IFRC in strategy 2010 document. The Indian Red Cross Society identified eight numbers of multi disaster prone states and Orissa is one among them.

D.M. Strategy:- In the aftermath of Orissa Super Cyclone 1999 and Gujarat Earthquake the NHQ embarked on a nation wide D.M. Programme. Initiatives were taken to strengthen the capacity of State Units and State Branches. The entire process helped to change the mindsets from a relief focus to a holistic approach towards disaster management. Further, the capacity building initiative has been expanded to the identified eight states. The NHQ developed a strategic action plan and facilitate the states and for vulnerable areas to develop strategy plan as to be compatible within the IRCS overall response system.

The Orissa Disaster Management Unit has started functioning since October 2003 for implementation of Disaster Risk Management Programme for development of the capacity of the District Branch, Panchayatiraj institution and local branches to reduce vulnerability of the communities, in 10 nos. of identified multi-hazard prone districts of Orissa.

1. Mission:

To improve the lives of vulnerable people of the State of Orissa through their capacity building, ensuring sustainability and dignity, promoting cooperation and peace by mobilizing the power of humanity, beneficiaries, volunteers and donors.

2. Goal:

To emerge as a leading disaster management agency serving vulnerable people in 10 numbers of disaster prone districts of Orissa.

3. D.M Strategy :

• Assess the present situation – Volunteer strength, economic position, and life member’s capacity organizational capacity.

• Create general awareness on Red Cross principles, values, DM environment and health related activities by R.C. stakeholders.

• Capacity building of management committee members, SDMC leadership, volunteers/life members and district DM committee through training programme.

• Life member and volunteers recruitment, retention and capacity building on DP/DRM.

• Convergence with District Administration and Panchayati Raj Institutions – through programmes and activities.

• Create space for contribution to the emergency fund from various sources to ensure sustainability.

• Revitalize the district level executive committee – through holding regular meetings, deliberations, and membership/fund raising drives.

• Ensure adequate women participation at all levels.

• Initiate steps for greater visibility through public relations.

• Influence D.M policy making/implementing process in state through networking.

4. DM Implementation Plan:

The disaster risk Districts (10 Nos.) identified and the disaster risk management plan started at village level and consolidated with similar planning at Panchayat Level and District Level in the selected districts. The village plan would be prepared by villagers with support by volunteers/life members. Plans at the other level would be prepared by the DM Committees (DMC’s) the plans would focus on disaster risk prevention and community based preparedness and response plans.

1. Awareness Building - Awareness campaign through rallies, mass gathering, competitions (Youth Red Cross and Junior Red Cross) wall painting, poster development activities.

2. Branch Development - Focus on Branch development. It will act as front line agency of the organization for active participation of local communities defining needs and developing solutions from within so that capacity is build and vulnerability is reduced.

1. Volunteers recruitment and retention - The key to the success of these activities is the internalization and practice of Red Cross objectives by its volunteers and members. By developing SDRT (State Level), DDRT (District level) and DRT (Local level) the identified needs of the volunteers can be addressed through TOT and programme involvement. They will look after the sustainability of the programmes.

2. Develop Disaster Management Policy, Strategy, Plans and Protocols - Recognise local coping and mitigation strategies of the populations that are more at risk and help them to find appropriate and sustainable solutions.

3. Networking – with NGOs/INGOs/CBOs and Govt agencies for taking up new activities play advocacy role.

Strategic Action:

• Define role and action plan to be prepared by trained volunteers and DMC members at the state and district level.

• Prepare RC district disaster response plans/contingency plans alongwith the district administration in 10 district branches by 2007.

• Carry out State Branch D.P. capacity assessment with support of IRCS-NHQ, federation DM team by 2004.

• Branch DP capacity building workshop by 2004.

• Contribute to the Sphere standard process to implement them in various disaster preparedness and response activities.

• Increase Response Capacity by developing – SDRT/DDRT/DRT, DMC, DMH Unit. Control room facilities – Link with DMC.

• Initiate a process of making a policy and procedure of DM unit in coordination with the state policy – OSDMA, SRC by 2005.

• Prepare a disaster preparedness (management) plan as per National plan after 2005.

• Play an effective role as a partner of implementing CBDP through DRM programme of OSDMA-UNDP along with activities of R.C by 2004.

• Take school level intervention in curriculum development and programmes in D.P and DMH from 2004-2007.

• Strengthening internal partners coordination activities by 2004.

• Support partners on DPDRM Training.

• Set up a control room at OSB by 2005.

• Opening a citizens resource unit on disasters at OSB by 2005.

• Formation of the State Disaster Response Team (SDRT) by 2004.

• Formation of State Disaster management Committee and operationalise by 2004.

• Development of Disaster Risk Management Plan for Orissa State initiated and strengthened by 2005.

• State emergency Red Cross fund initiated and strengthened by 2005.

• Develop proposals for activities in support of other agencies at district level by 2005.

• Net working with civic society organizations to influence government policy programmes and information collection and dissemination (Inter Agency Group) by 2005.

• Prepare a resource inventory data base by 2006.

• Training/capacity building of trainers at the state, districts, panchayat and local level initiated by 2005.

• Specialized training to SDRT members by 2005.

• Training manuals, standard operating procedures and documentation of process to be initiated by 2005.

Sustainability of the DM units action plan

• All DM plans to be approved by NHQ and district branches.

• Well equipped and functional control room in state level and DM MIS, developed.

• Adequate volunteers/life member’s capacity building and retention plan.

• Manuals and guideline available for volunteers and life members.

• Fund raising initiative to be taken up regularly in district branches state branches.

• Institutional framework available at all levels.

• Disaster preparedness and mitigation plans to be integrated with all other developmental planning process.

• To conduct mock drill at all level regularly.

Out comes:

• Institutional framework available at different levels.
• Volunteers and life members available at all levels in all 10 districts.
• Trained and skilled volunteers and life members available in all levels. (SDRT, DDRT, LDRT).
• Comprehensive DRM plan to be available in state units to reduce natural disasters.
• Well equipped control room functioning at state level and DM MIS available.
• State and district level database on natural disaster risk management available.
• Emergency funds at all level available.
• Functional inter agency group available.