Dr. S. Ganesan, Regional Director, IGNOU
Disasters can be generally categorized as natural and man-made. Natural disasters have been categorized as hydrological, wind-related, geo-physical, and climatic. The causes, impacts and the list of do’s and don’ts are different for different disasters. The preparedness, response and traditional coping mechanisms pertaining to these disasters are also unique for : Flood, Drought, Cyclone, Earthquake, Landslides, Avalanches, Volcanic Eruptions, Heat and Cold Waves.
Understanding Man-Made Disasters: The man-made disaster includes nuclear disasters, industrial accidents, environmental disasters, fires, rail, road, air and sea accidents. The causes, impacts, preparedness, and response pertaining to these disasters are different from each other. Our knowledge includes the lessons learnt and do’s and don’ts relating to these disasters. Some of the man-made disasters are: Nuclear, Chemical and Biological; Fire: Building, Coal, Forest, and Oil;, Pollution: Air, Water and Industrial Pollution; Accidents :rail, Road, Air and Sea.
The aim of the Disaster Management Education (DME) is to provide comprehensive knowledge on disaster preparedness, mitigation, and rehabilitation. It will enable the people to equip themselves with disaster response techniques, risk assessment and vulnerability analysis, communication skills, and skills pertaining to emergency medical requirement.
The Pondicherry University campus at Port Blair also offers full-time course on DME. Similarly, the Open and Distance Learning mode universities such as IGNOU also provide DME in the name of: one year PG Diploma in Disaster Management (PGDDM) and six months Certificate in Disaster Management (CDE). Like ‘First Aid Treatment’ knowledge, every citizen of India, especially the people of Andaman and Nicobar Islands must get the benefit such academic, professional qualifications. The reasons for such emphasis are well known to you all.
Risk Assessment and Vulnerability Analysis: The meaning, observation, perception, and identification of risk and vulnerability factors associated with disasters are part of disaster management education. Factors contributing to vulnerability such as poverty, displacement, etc. various preventive strategies, such as, policies pertaining to emergency assistance; social development and infrastructure development are also strategies for survival.
Disaster Preparedness: The effects of disasters on human lives, property and livestock can be minimized through adequate preparedness. The DME highlights the important facets of disaster prevention, preparedness, and mitigation. Disaster preparedness plan, use and application of emerging technologies, role and responsibilities of various agencies and mitigation strategies constitute the core components of the DME.
Disaster response assumes significance in the immediate impact and post-impact phase of disasters. Various aspects of response, such as, minimum standards of relief, management of relief commodities and services, stakeholders’ coordination in response, and recovery are important. One has to deal with the various facets of human behavior and response in disaster situations. The course content is Psychological response, Trauma and Stress Management, Rumors and Panic Management etc.
Disaster Medicine is the study and application of medical and health disciplines for the prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery of health problems arising out of disasters. This course deals with the meaning and significance of disaster medicine, epidemiological study of disasters, disaster site management, casualty area management, community health management, and ICT applications in health management in disasters. Case studies of medical and health interventions are also form part of the DME.
Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Recovery: Rehabilitation aims at bringing about a total reconstruction of damaged physical and social infrastructure. It involves a full-fledged economic recovery process. The three key components of ‘Disaster and Development’ Process are rehabilitation, reconstruction and recovery. The role of various governmental and non-governmental agencies involved in rehabilitation, the key aspects of economic and social rehabilitation, and the philosophy and psychology for copying with disasters are dealt in DME. It also includes some case studies on participative rehabilitation. The reconstruction aspect throws light on disaster resistant construction, and the role of education and awareness in housing and insurance. The measures for long-term counter disaster planning are also to be examined, such as: Disaster Resistant House Construction, Education and Awareness, Dealing with Victims’ Psychology, Long-term Recovery, and Long-term Counter Disaster Planning.
Participatory Management Process enables the public to explore the knowledge and skills required for working successfully with individuals and groups to integrate the conservation efforts with development through participatory process. One should know how other people have worked for participatory community development and the theories about such work. The theory and practice of participatory community development is applied in the Participatory in Forest Resource Management, Management of Mountain Ecosystems, Coastal Management and Management of Solid Waste.
Let us all try to equip to save ourselves and also others, from any kind disaster, whether natural or man-made. Disaster Management Education is one such tool for our survival in disaster situations. It can be part of school education as well as college level UG / PG courses. Every Govt. department can have at least one staff who have undergone DME; for the same, all HoDs can motivate their staff members to study CDM / PGDDM, as their (central Govt. employees’ ) fees paid to IGNOU will be reimbursed by GoI, on successful completion of study.
