National Policy On Disaster Management 2009: Approach, Objectives, and Issues

To prepare for DISASTERS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT for any competitive exam, aspirants have to know about National Policy on Disaster Management 2009. It gives an idea of all the important topics for the IAS Exam and the Governance syllabus (GS-III.). National Policy on Disaster Management 2009 terms are important from Disaster Management perspectives in the UPSC exam. IAS aspirants should thoroughly understand their meaning and application, as questions can be asked from this static portion of the IAS Syllabus in both the UPSC Prelims and the UPSC Mains exams. Even these topics are also highly linked with current affairs. Almost every question asked from them is related to current events. So, apart from standard textbooks, you should rely on newspapers and news analyses as well for these sections.

National Policy on Disaster Management 2009: Approach, Objectives and Issues

Integrated Resilience: A Holistic Approach to Disaster Management – 

A holistic and integrated approach will be evolved towards disaster management with emphasis on building strategic partnerships at various levels. The themes underpinning the policy are:

• Community based DM, including last mile integration of the policy, plans and execution.
• Capacity development in all spheres.
• Consolidation of past initiatives and best practices.
• Cooperation with agencies at National and International levels.
• Multi-sectoral synergy.

Strategic Framework for Disaster Resilience: National Policy Objectives (2009)

The objectives of the National Policy on Disaster Management 2009 are:

• Promoting a culture of prevention, preparedness and resilience at all levels through knowledge, innovation and education.
• Encouraging mitigation measures based on technology, traditional wisdom and environmental sustainability.
• Mainstreaming disaster management into the developmental planning process.
• Establishing institutional and techno- legal frameworks to create an enabling regulatory environment and a compliance regime.
• Ensuring efficient mechanism for identification, assessment and monitoring of disaster risks.
• Developing contemporary forecasting and early warning systems backed by responsive and fail-safe communication with information technology support.
• Ensuring efficient response and relief with a caring approach towards the needs of the vulnerable sections of the society.
• Undertaking reconstruction as an opportunity to build disaster resilient structures and habitat for ensuring safer living.
• Promoting a productive and proactive partnership with the media for disaster management.

Addressing Gaps: Enhancing the National Policy on Disaster Management (2009):

Some of the issues of National Policy on Disaster Management 2009 are:

• Lack of updation and outdated in nature
• Lack of coordinated and coherent approach in policy formulation.
• Policy formulated in 2009, so it does not cover recent and emerging disasters such as cold waves and heat waves.
• Policy does not recognize climate refugees which result from climate change.

Also Read: Disaster Risk Index and Reduction: Sendai Framework, SDGs