Following two major disasters – the Orissa cyclone in 1999 and the
Gujarat earthquake in 2001, which together caused the death of
more than 27,000 people and left more than 8 million homeless –
India renewed its focus on disaster management to protect lives
and property. It joined with USAID to strengthen its response
capacities at the local, state and national levels. The need for
better early warning systems and preparedness was again
underscored with the tremendous loss of life caused by the tsunami
in December 2004.
USAID and India are working together to improve disaster
preparedness and protect the country’s most vulnerable citizens.
American and Indian disaster experts share knowledge and
expertise to increase India’s response effectiveness at the
national and state levels. This initiative is the result of a
shared vision between the U.S. and India. It draws in a range of
U.S. government partners – such as the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, the U.S. Forest Service, the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S. Geological Survey –
to provide expertise and exchange information with Indian
counterparts.
A USAID-supported United Nations Development Program effort
focuses on community-level disaster preparedness in 40 high-risk
districts in seven states. This support is part of a larger,
multi-donor effort in 17 states. Efforts are also underway to
protect critical lifeline buildings in New Delhi if an
earthquake strikes. USAID’s partner is identifying, analyzing
and designing ways to increase earthquake safety in these
facilities
– which include hospitals and schools.
Key Accomplishments
Disaster Management
- Testing of an Indian Incident Command System (ICS) in
three districts of Gujarat is complete. The program is a pilot
for replication in other states and more than 475 government
officials from 26 states are now trained in various functions
of the ICS.
- Over fifty-five scientists and flood management officials
have gained new knowledge to improve systems that forecast and
issue warnings for floods, cyclones and other extreme weather
events.
- Twenty-five disaster managers are now trained in how to
organize disaster simulations; and designs for government run
emergency operations centers have been developed.
- A USAID partner has prepared a manual on non-structural
mitigation and distributed it to various government schools in
Delhi.
- Disaster management committees have been established in
seven states, 40 districts and 38,500 villages.
- USAID is assisting the Government of India to prepare for
potential future earthquakes through structural and
non-structural measures under the “Delhi Earthquake Safety
Initiative for Lifeline Buildings”. Analysis has been
completed and retrofit designs are being finalized for five
critical lifeline buildings in Delhi. Non-structural
mitigation measures are completed in one school and one
hospital; and disaster awareness training at both sites is
complete, with participants learning the essentials of
earthquake safety.
U.S. Response: Tsunami
- U.S.-assistance after the devastating tsunami in December
2004 – which killed 11,000 people and displaced about 650,000
in India – was swift, targeted and aimed at reinforcing
India’s relief efforts. More than $4.3 million was invested in
relief to provide life-saving water supplies, sanitation,
waste management, temporary shelters, day care centers and
psycho-social support (47,000 individuals counseled).
Cash-for-work programs (over 435,000 days of work); and
repairs to fishing boats and engines helped to restart local
economies and restore normalcy.
- An additional $14 million was provided to finance
long-term transition and recovery activities. Activities
included livelihoods training, maintenance of temporary living
settlements to protect health and wellbeing (57,000
beneficiaries), and local preparedness to hedge against future
disasters. Among many other benefits, 55,000 beneficiaries
received health care support services, 80,000 students
received access to new or improved classrooms and 2,900 old
and new businesses were supported.
For the detailed strategy in this program area click here
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