Disaster Management Agencies of India

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)

• The DM Act (Disaster Management Act), 2005 made the statutory provisions for the constitution of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) with the objective of specialized response to natural and man-made disasters. As per the Section 45 of the DM Act 2005, the NDRD has to function under the general superintendence, direction and control of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and under command and supervision of Director General, NDRF.
• NDRF a specialist force, the force is gradually emerging as the most visible and vibrant multi-disciplinary, multi-skilled, high-tech force of the NDMA capable of dealing with all types of natural and man-made disasters.
• At present, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is about constituted of battalions from the BSF, CRPF, CISF and ITBP.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

• The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), headed by the Prime Minister of India, is the Apex Body for Disaster Management in India.
• The setting up of the 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.
• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), headed by the Prime Minister of India
• State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) headed by respective Chief Ministers of the States
• National Disaster Management Authority has been constituted with the Prime Minister of India as its Chairman, a Vice Chairman with the status of Cabinet Minister, and eight members with the status of Ministers of State.

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 plan 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 the threatening disaster situation or disaster as it may consider necessary;
• Lay down broad policies and guidelines for the functioning of the National Institute of Disaster Management.

National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM)

• The National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) was constituted under an Act of Parliament with a vision to play the role of a premier institute for capacity development in India and the region.
• Under the Disaster Management Act 2005, NIDM has been assigned nodal responsibilities for human resource development, capacity building, training, research, documentation and policy advocacy in the field of disaster management.
• NIDM provides technical support to the state governments through the Disaster Management Centres (DMCs) in the Administrative Training Institutes (ATIs) of the States and Union Territories.
• NIDM hosts the SAARC Disaster Management Centre (SDMC) and works as its national focal point.

International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR)

• Created in December 1999, UNISDR is the secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR).
• Its core areas of work includes ensuring disaster risk reduction (DRR) is applied to climate change adaptation, increasing investments for DRR, building disaster-resilient cities, schools and hospitals, and strengthening the international system for DRR.
• UNISDR’s vision is based on the three strategic goals of the Hyogo Framework for Action: integrating DRR into sustainable development policies and planning, developing and strengthening institutions, mechanisms and capacities to build resilience to hazards, and incorporating risk reduction approaches into emergency preparedness, response, and recovery programmes.
• The “Hyogo Declaration“ and the “Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters” was adopted by the World Conference on Disaster Reduction, held in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan, in January 2005. The Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) tasked UNISDR with supporting the implementation of the HFA.