Disaster Management during a Disaster

Published on 01 Feb 2025

Disaster management during a disaster is a coordinated and swift response to mitigate the impact and provide relief to affected communities. It involves deploying emergency services, conducting search and rescue operations, and providing essential resources such as food, water, and medical aid to ensure the safety and well-being of those affected by the calamity.

Steps to be taken by various stakeholders

• Response Force (Emergency Services and Disaster Response Teams):

• Activate emergency response teams and deploy them to the affected areas promptly.

• Conduct search and rescue operations to locate and assist survivors.

• Provide medical aid and evacuate injured individuals to medical facilities.

• Establish communication channels to coordinate response efforts.

• Political Class and Government Authorities:

• Declare a state of emergency and mobilize resources for disaster response.

• Authorize and allocate funds for immediate relief and recovery efforts.

• Coordinate with response forces and other stakeholders to ensure an organized and effective response.

• Address public concerns and provide regular updates on the situation.

• Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs):

• Assist in providing immediate relief, such as food, water, and shelter, to affected communities.

• Collaborate with local authorities to distribute aid and ensure it reaches those in need.

• Conduct community-based assessments to identify priority areas for relief efforts.

• Provide psychosocial support and counselling for affected individuals.

• Local Governments and Municipal Corporations:

• Activate local emergency response plans and incident command systems.

• Coordinate evacuation efforts and establish temporary shelters for displaced individuals.

• Clear roads and access routes for emergency vehicles and relief supply distribution.

• Assess damages to critical infrastructure and prioritize repair and restoration.

• Medical Personnel and Healthcare Institutions:

• Set up medical camps and mobile medical units to treat the injured on-site.

• Coordinate with local hospitals to handle an influx of patients.

• Provide medical supplies, including medicines and first aid kits, as needed.

• Media and Communication Networks:

• Disseminate timely and accurate information about the disaster, relief efforts, and safety instructions.

• Coordinate with response forces to share updates and alert the public about ongoing rescue operations.

• Counter misinformation and rumours to prevent panic and confusion.

• Community Volunteers:

• Assist in search and rescue operations under the guidance of response forces.

• Organize community-based relief efforts, such as setting up community kitchens or distributing relief supplies.

• Help in evacuation procedures and supporting vulnerable populations.

• International Organizations and Donor Agencies:

• Provide financial and logistical support for disaster relief and recovery efforts.

• Deploy specialized teams and resources to complement local response forces.

• Collaborate with national authorities to ensure a coordinated international response.

• Private Sector and Industries:

• Contribute resources, logistics, and expertise to support disaster relief efforts.

• Provide corporate social responsibility initiatives, including donations and in-kind contributions.

• Assist in restoring critical services and infrastructure in affected areas.

• Public:

• Follow safety instructions issued by authorities, such as evacuation orders and emergency protocols.

• Cooperate with response forces and follow their guidance during rescue and relief operations.

• Stay informed about the disaster situation through official channels and assist those in need within their capacity

Challenges of Disaster Management during a disaster

• Social

• Mass Panic and Rumors: During disasters, mass panic and rumours can impede organized evacuation efforts and create chaos.

• Example: Vaccination rumours during Covid-19.

• Search and Rescue Challenges: Limited access and communication difficulties can hinder search and rescue operations during disasters, leading to delays in reaching affected areas.

• Example: The challenge witnessed during the Tham Luang cave rescue.

• Displacement and Shelter: Managing the displacement of large populations and providing adequate shelter can be challenging during a disaster.

• Example: The difficulty of establishing relief camps during the 2004 Tsunami.

• Social Vulnerabilities: During disasters, existing social vulnerabilities can be exacerbated, leading to unequal access to resources and support.

• Psychological Trauma: The psychological impact of disasters on survivors and responders can affect their mental well-being and capacity to cope effectively.

• Example: Orphaned children during a disaster.

• Economic

• Business Disruptions: Disasters can lead to temporary or permanent business closures, impacting livelihoods and economic activities.

• Example: The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread business disruptions across India due to lockdowns 

• Supply Chain Disruptions: Interruptions in supply chains can lead to shortages of essential goods and services during disasters.

• Example: Supply chain disruption happened in Uttarakhand during the landslide affecting military supplies.

• Insurance Claim Processing: Delays in processing insurance claims can prolong financial recovery for affected individuals and businesses.

• Example: Insurance claim delays post the Mangalore flight tragedy.

• Resource Mobilization: Rapidly mobilizing and allocating resources during the chaos of a disaster can be challenging.

• Economic Recovery Planning: Developing post-disaster economic recovery plans may require extensive data and analysis, leading to delays in implementation.

• Technological

• Communication Breakdowns: Disasters can cause communication breakdowns, hindering the flow of real-time information between response teams and affected communities.

• Technological Failures: Technological systems and infrastructure may fail during disasters due to damage or overload, impacting response efforts.

• Example: The Mumbai floods and the associated power failures affect the life and livelihood of the population.

• Data Overload and Interpretation: Handling large volumes of data during disasters may lead to challenges in data interpretation and decision-making.

• Legal

• Legal Liability and Accountability: Determining legal liability and accountability for damages and losses during a disaster can be complex and time-consuming.

• Emergency Procurement: Expedited procurement processes during disasters may lead to limited oversight and potential corruption risks.

• Law Enforcement Challenges: Ensuring law and order during disasters can be challenging, especially when resources are stretched thin.

• Legal Frameworks for Emergency Measures: Legal frameworks for declaring emergencies and implementing extraordinary measures need to strike a balance between public safety and civil liberties.

• Institutional

• Command and Control Structures: Ensuring clear and effective command and control structures to facilitate coordinated disaster response efforts among different institutional actors can be difficult and challenging.

• Communication and Information Sharing: It can be challenging to ensure efficient communication and information sharing among various institutions and response teams during disasters to facilitate timely decision-making.

Resource Allocation and Deployment: Establishing protocols and mechanisms for equitable resource allocation and deployment during disasters, avoiding discrepancies in resource distribution.

Tags:
Disaster Management

Keywords:
Disaster Management during a Disaster Disaster Management cycle Disaster Management disaster Challenges of Disaster Management during a disaster Steps to be taken by various stakeholders during disaster

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 3

Topics:
Disaster and Disaster Management