DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

AND REHABILITATION
ANISHA N. .
DISASTER

• A serious disturbance occurring over a short or long period of time causing

widespread harm to humans, environment and economy
• It can be natural, man-made
INDIA AS A LAND OF DISASTERS

• Witnessed cyclones, tsunami, floods, now facing the biological

disaster corona.
• UNISDR( United Nations International Strategy for Disaster
Reduction) defines preparedness as, “the knowledge and
capacities developed by governments, professional response and
recovery organizations, communities and individuals to effectively
anticipate, respond to, and recover from, the impacts of likely,
imminent or current hazard events or conditions.”
DISASTER RESPONSE

• Begins as soon as a disastrous event is about to happen and lasts when it is

over
• The response team engages in search, rescue, first aid, constructing
temporary shelter, rebuilding roads and temporary bridges and hospitals.
• Clarity of plan is essential
• Give the stakeholders proper awareness regarding the hazard
• Roles and responsibilities assigned
RELIEF STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
FOR NATURAL &MAN MADE DISASTER-
SOURCE: HTTP://WWW. ACADEMIA.EDU/ AN ESSAY BY KAVITHA L.
CAMP ORGANIZATION

• Dynamic in nature
• Aims in promoting holistic approach for the well being of
inhabitants
• A Relief camp in India will be inhabited by different religious
communities
• Care should be given to the emotional well being of inhabitants
STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN WHILE
ESTABLISHING A RELIEF CAMP

• Camps should be in an existing building.eg: school or community

hall-should be a safe place-accessible by vehicles -space for parking
• Location of the camp should be informed and affected people
should be evacuated.
• Relief materials like water, food, bedding, baby food and medication
should be arranged
• Set up control rooms.
FOLLOWING ASPECTS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED
WHILE ESTABLISHING A SHELTER

• Check whether the roofs and walls are in good condition

• Proper bedding arranged for the old and the sick.check the
benches before converting to bed if the camp is a school.
• Camps should be in open areas if it is an earthquake. Tents should
be arranged then.
CAMP ADMINISTRATION

• District collector will be the camp officer

• One Assistant Camp Officer should be designated to help the camp
officer
• An advisory committee should be formed with the MLA as head.
• Municipal council members, local leaders of political parties, parish
priest, members of NGO, teachers etc. as members
• The advisory committee direct the activities
• Two meetings should be held a day- one in morning to plan the
activities of the day , another in evening to evaluate
BASIC FACILITIES

• Proper lighting- generators should be used-candles, torches, matches should be

provided
• Trained person should be appointed to supervise the lighting arrangements
• Proper assessment of water required
• Solar water filter is a good option
• Separate bathing units for men and women
• Provide proper sanitation facilities –one toilet for 25 people- should be 15 meters
away from shelters
FOOD

• Provide only cooked food and hot water

• Solar water heaters and solar cooking systems will be effective
• Use disposable plates and glasses
• Serve food in a hall of convenience
• Avoid liquid food
• Food should be culture specific
Conti….
• Food must meet nutritional needs
• The expiry dates of packed food should be checked
• Only reputed voluntary organizations are allowed to assist and
serve food
• Store maximum dry food
• Diabetic meals should be provided- care should be given to
people with health issues.
FOOD STORAGE

• Dry and well ventilated area may be designed in relief camps for
food storage
• Food boxes should be kept on shelves not on floors
• Keep products within reachable heights
• Keep highly perishable food away from other items.
 MEDICAL CAMPS
• A general physician should be in charge of the health squad
• Medical records and stock register should be properly maintained
• Drugs for the treatment of cuts, fractures, water-borne diseases,
analgesics, antibiotics should be regularly supplied
• College students should be trained to collect health surveys among
inmates
• General physical check ups should be administered
•

conti…
• Inmates undergoing dialyses, people with cardiac problems,
breathing problems should be identified and care should be
given.
• Inmates undergoing medication for psychological problems
should also be quickly identified and treated properly
• An ambulance or omni van should be ready at the camp
• Trained counselor should be made available to deal with post
trauma psychological issues.
GENERAL DISCIPLINE IN THE CAMP

• Home guards or police officers should be put in charge to maintain discipline.

• Women officers should be deployed to assist women inmates.
• Entry should be restricted to outsiders.
• Maintain record of entry and exit of inmates.
• Visiting hours should be fixed for outsiders.
• cont..
• Only vehicles attached to the camp should be permitted.
• Standard procedure to be followed by inmates should be
displayed or announced.
• Volunteers and police officers should identify the miscreants to
ensure safety of the camp
• Legal procedures should be followed in case of theft, riot or
rape in camps.
WASTE MANAGEMENT INSIDE RELIEF CAMP

• Proper assessment should be made about the type and the volume of waste
produced each day.
• Responsibility should be assigned to the municipal/panchayat staff.
• Volunteers from among the inmates should be given the task to clear wastes.
• Medical wastes should be properly disposed.
• Biodegradable waste could be get rid off by digging a pit and dispose there.
• The pit should be away from the camp.
• Waste bins should be placed.
CAMP ACTIVITIES AND INMATES

• Give tasks to inmates to entertain them, thus helps to overcome

the trauma
• Each and every camp member should assist in the general
administration of the camp.
• Old people can help in kitchen, inmates can do technical
assistance, yoga trainers among the inmates can give training to
others, graduates can teach children.
• Scope for adult education as well
CLOSING THE CAMP

• The decision to close the camps should be taken by the District Collector.
• Make sure that the affected place has been well equipped and inhabitable.
• A relief kit containing essential items should be given to those leaving the
camps.
• Discharge report and medical kit should be given to those inmates who were
undergoing treatment.
• Proper transportation should be provided.
cont..
• Assistant Camp Officer should make sure of the disinfection procedures
before the camp being used again.
• Account officer should give the report of income and expenditure.
• The medical Officer give report and the excess medicines should be
transferred to the district pharmacy.
• Waste Management team should dispose the waste accumulated in the
camp.
REFERENCE

Ecoscapes . “Disaster Preparedness and Rehabilitation”