The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), headed by the Prime Minister of India, is the apex body for Disaster Management in India. Setting up of NDMA and the creation of an enabling environment for institutional mechanisms at the State and District levels is mandated by the Disaster Management Act, 2005. NDMA is mandated to lay down the policies, plans and guidelines for Disaster Management. India envisions the development of an ethos of Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness and Response. 

The Indian government strives to promote a national resolve to mitigate the damage and destruction caused by natural and man-made disasters, through sustained and collective efforts of all Government agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations and People’s participation. This is planned to be accomplished by adopting a Technology-Driven, Pro-Active, Multi-Hazard and Multi-Sectoral strategy for building a Safer, Disaster Resilient and Dynamic India.

The NDMA Logo reflects the aspirations of this National Vision, of empowering all stakeholders to improve the effectiveness of Disaster Management in India. NDMA has 5 major divisions viz. Policy & Plans, Mitigation , Operations & Communications & Information & Technology , Administration and Finance.

Evolution of NDMA

Emergence of an organization is always through an evolutionary process. NDMA has also gone through the same stages. The Government of India (GOI), in recognition of the importance of Disaster Management as a national priority, set up a High-Powered Committee (HPC) in August 1999 and a National Committee after the Gujarat earthquake, for making recommendations on the preparation of Disaster Management plans and suggesting effective mitigation mechanisms. The Tenth Five-Year Plan document also had, for the first time, a detailed chapter on Disaster Management. The Twelfth Finance Commission was also mandated to review the financial arrangements for Disaster Management.

On 23 December 2005, the Government of India enacted the Disaster Management Act, which envisaged the creation of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), headed by the Prime Minister, and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) headed by respective Chief Ministers, to spearhead and implement a holistic and integrated approach to Disaster Management in India.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), headed by the Prime Minister of India, is the apex body for Disaster Management in India. Setting up of NDMA and the creation of an enabling environment for institutional mechanisms at the State and District levels is mandated by the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

India envisions the development of an ethos of Prevention, Mitigation and Preparedness. The Indian government strives to promote a national resolve to mitigate the damage and destruction caused by natural and man-made disasters, through sustained and collective efforts of all Government agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations and People’s participation. This is planned to be accomplished by adopting a Technology-Driven, Pro-Active, Multi-Hazard and Multi-Sectoral strategy for building a Safer, Disaster Resilient and Dynamic India.

NDMA Vision

“To build a safer and disaster resilient India by a holistic, pro-active, technology driven and sustainable development strategy that involves all stakeholders and fosters a culture of prevention, preparedness and mitigation.”

Functions and Responsibilities

NDMA, as the apex body, is mandated to lay down the policies, plans and guidelines for Disaster Management to ensure timely and effective response to disasters. Towards this, it has the following responsibilities:-

• Lay down policies on disaster management.
• Approve the National Plan.
• Approve plans prepared by the Ministries or Departments of the Government of India in accordance with the National Plan.
• Lay down guidelines to be followed by the State Authorities in drawing up the State Plan.
• Lay down guidelines to be followed by the different Ministries or Departments of the Government of India for the Purpose of integrating the measures for prevention of disaster or the mitigation of its effects in their development plans and projects.
• Coordinate the enforcement and implementation of the policy and plans for disaster management.
• Recommend provision of funds for the purpose of mitigation.
• Provide such support to other countries affected by major disasters as may be determined by the Central Government.
• Take such other measures for the prevention of disaster, or the mitigation, or preparedness and capacity building for dealing with threatening disaster situations or disasters as it may consider necessary.
• Lay down broad policies and guidelines for the functioning of the National Institute of Disaster Management.

Policy

The National Policy framework has been prepared after due deliberation and keeping in view the National Vision to build a safe and disaster-resilient India by developing a holistic, proactive, multi-disaster and technology-driven strategy for DM. This will be achieved through a culture of prevention, mitigation and preparedness to generate a prompt and efficient response during disasters. The entire process will centre-stage the community and will be provided momentum and sustenance through the collective efforts of all government agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations.

In order to translate this vision into policy and plans, the NDMA has adopted a mission-mode approach involving a number of initiatives with the help of various institutions operating at the national, state and local levels. Central ministries, States and other stakeholders have been involved in the participatory and consultative process of evolving policies and guidelines.

This Policy framework is also in conformity with the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, the Rio Declaration, the Millennium Development Goals and the Hyogo Framework 2005-2015. The themes that underpin this policy are:-

• Community-based disaster management, including last mile integration of the policy, plans and execution.
• Capacity development in all related areas.
• Consolidation of past initiatives and best practices.
• Cooperation with agencies at the national, regional and international levels.
• Compliance and coordination to generate a multi-sectoral synergy.

NDMA Logo

The NDMA Logo reflects the aspirations of this National Vision, of empowering all stakeholders to improve the effectiveness of Disaster Management in India. The Map of India, embossed in gold, in the middle of the logo, circumscribed by the National Tricolor of Saffron, White and Green represents the aspiration to contain the potential threat of natural and man-made disasters through Capacity Development of all stakeholders. The outer circle is a Golden Ring of Partnership of all Stakeholders, whose hand holding is an expression of their solidarity to supplement the efforts of the Government. NDMA in the inner circle in tranquil Blue integrates the entire process by empowering all stakeholders at the local, district, state and national levels. NDMA will catalyze this Community Empowerment through institutional capacity development, strengthened public awareness and community resilience by mainstreaming disaster management in India.

List of Social Issues

Below is a list of social issues in India, which students can be asked to write about. Some of them are categorized under a list of social justice issues.

1. Racism. This is a form of categorization where people from the same race identify with their own and in so doing they appear to discriminate others. It is responsible for increased prevalence of social tension.
2. Gender identity. Issues such as homosexuality create a difference in the way people react in society. For instance, lesbian and gay bars are common social places where people with a specific identity interact, setting them apart from other people in society.
3. Religion. Numerous religious denominations exist such as Christianity, Islam, and atheists, among many others. A growing trend has seen these religious gatherings interacting socially with their kind. Their gatherings are embedded in strong values shared by group members.
4. Drugs and alcohol abuse. The use of drugs and alcohol has been rampant among the youth and adult, who end up abusing them. Consequently, drug and alcohol abuse leads to changed emotional and mental health, which culminates in anti-social behavior.
5. Government and social life. The government is known to be tracking the activities of people in social media to prevent any unwarranted posts. Thus, governments around the world have engaged in creation and enforcement of legislation to control the activities on social media.å
6. Cyberbullying. The social media has become a leeway for hackers to bully people leading them into suicidal thoughts. The stalkers often take advantage of the weaknesses of the users to drive them into harming themselves or harming others through blackmail.
7. Social media propagating bad vices. Some of the comments or posts in social media often lead to behavioral changes among youth who glamorize immoral values such as drug and alcohol abuse, teenage sex, and even radicalization of youth.
8. Education disparity. In the education setting, social classes have been set up based on one’s race or economic position. People from rich backgrounds attend good schools that have proper amenities. Those from poor backgrounds attend schools that lack proper facilities.
9. War. Following the 9/11 attacks, Syrian unrest, and other global wars, tensions have been reported in social interactions. For example, Arabs that live in America have a high possibility of being trolled or even abused on social media. This necessitates the government to enforce responsibility in social networking sites.
10. Materialism. Fashion has greatly affected the interactions among teenagers who gauge social class based on adherence to emerging trends. As such, they are least likely to engage with peers who come out as untrendy in the fashion sense.
11. Family and single parenthood. In American society, there are cases of parenting that affects the lives of youth. Some have been separated from their parents who are either dead or in jail, leading them to be subjected to foster homes.
    On the other hand, other kids have been compelled to live with single parents, which sometimes affecting their emotional and mental health, which may, in turn, affect their social interactions. This is common in America.
12. Obesity and social life. Body image has increasingly grown into a weapon that many youths can use against others in social media. People glamorize slim bodies of celebrities. Those who are seen to be fat are frequently embarrassed in the social media, which may lead to suicidal thoughts.
13. Poverty and social life. A trend has been observed in the modern generation where a person’s social status is defined by their economic power. Thus, the poor are often perceived lowly in the society whereas those who are reached are regarded highly.
14. The power of advertisements. Extreme advertising has created a form of brand loyalty where some people have been coaxed into buying specific products based on the frequency of the adverts. Even in some cases, they buy the products against their inner will.
15. Procrastination. Students have a tendency of postponing their assignments due to the distractions brought about by their fun life. While it may improve their social life, it is highly detrimental to their academic life and most of them may end up failing.

16. . INEQUALITY AND MARGINALIZATION

    Gender inequality, caste systems, marginalization based on race or tribal affiliations are all economic and social inequalities that mean the same thing: Little to no access to the resources needed to live a full, productive life. When combined with different combinations of vulnerability and hazards which comprise the rest of this list — a marginalized community may become even more vulnerable to the cycle of poverty. 
    
    

    CONFLICT

    Conflict is one of the most common forms of risk driving poverty today. Large-scale, protracted violence that we’ve seen in areas like Syria can grind society to a halt, destroying infrastructure and causing people to flee (often with nothing but the clothes on their backs). In its tenth year of conflict, Syria’s middle class has been all but destroyed, and over 80% of the population now lives below the poverty line. 

    HUNGER, MALNUTRITION, AND STUNTING

    You might think that poverty causes hunger (and you would be right!), but hunger is also a cause — and maintainer — of poverty. If a person doesn’t get enough food, they’ll lack the strength and energy needed to work (or their immune system will weaken from malnutrition and leave them more susceptible to illness that prevents them from getting to work). 

    POOR HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS — ESPECIALLY FOR MOTHERS AND CHILDREN

    Extreme poverty and poor health often go hand in hand. In countries where health systems are weak, easily preventable and treatable illnesses like malaria, diarrhea, and respiratory infections can be fatal — especially for young children. And when people must travel far distances to clinics or pay for medicine, it drains already vulnerable households of money and assets, and can tip a family from poverty into extreme poverty.

    LITTLE OR NO ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER, SANITATION, AND HYGIENE

    Currently, more than 2 billion people don’t have access to clean water at home. This means that people (which is to say, women and girls) collectively spend some 200 million hours every day walking long distances to fetch water. That’s precious time that could be used working, or getting an education to help secure a job later in life.

    CLIMATE CHANGE

    Climate change creates hunger, whether through too little water (drought) or too much (flooding), and its effects contribute to the cycle of poverty in several other ways including disproportionately affecting women, creating refugees, and even influencing conflict. One World Bank estimates that climate change has the power to push more than 100 million people into poverty over the next decade. 

    LACK OF EDUCATION

    Not every person without an education is living in extreme poverty. But most of the extremely poor don’t have an education. There are many barriers to education around the world, including a lack of money for uniforms and books, a bias against girls’ education, or many of the other causes of poverty mentioned here. 

    POOR PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE 

    Imagine that you have to go to work, but there are no roads to get you there. Or heavy rains have flooded your route and made it impossible to travel. A lack of infrastructure — from roads, bridges, and wells, to cables for light, cell phones, and internet — can isolate communities living in rural areas. Living off the grid often means living without the ability to go to school, work, or the market to buy and sell goods. Traveling further distances to access basic services not only takes time, it costs money, keeping families in poverty. 

    LACK OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

    Many people living in the United States are familiar with social welfare programs that people can access if they need healthcare or food assistance. But not every government can provide this type of help to its citizens — and without that safety net, there’s nothing to stop vulnerable families from backsliding further into extreme poverty. Ineffective governments also contribute to several of the other causes of extreme poverty mentioned above, as they are unable to provide necessary infrastructure or healthcare, or ensure the safety and security of their citizens in the event of conflict.

    LACK OF JOBS OR LIVELIHOODS

    This might seem like a no-brainer: Without a job or a livelihood, people will face poverty. Dwindling access to productive land (often due to conflict, overpopulation, or climate change) and overexploitation of resources like fish or minerals puts increasing pressure on many traditional livelihoods. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for example, most of the population lives in rural communities where natural resources have been plundered over centuries of colonial rule — while conflict over land has forced people away from their source of income and food. Now, more than half of the country lives in extreme poverty. 

    LACK OF RESERVES

    All of the above risk factors — from conflict to climate change or even a family illness — can be weathered if a family or community has reserves in place. Cash savings and loans can offset unemployment due to conflict or illness. Proper food storage systems can help if a drought or natural disaster ruins a harvest. 

    HOW CAN YOU HELP? 

    We believe that zero extreme poverty is possible, and so we’re working to tackle the root causes of poverty with tailored responses to unique circumstances in 23 countries around the world. By offsetting risks and reducing inequalities, we believe we can sustainably end poverty — for good. Check out more of our solutions to poverty here. 

    You can make your own impact by supporting our efforts working with the world’s poorest communities by writing and voicing their concerns.