European Union

HelpAgeInternationalLeading global action on ageing

Community Based Disaster Preparedness ManualPost Earthquake Reconstruction Project EU Gujarat (PERPEUG)

January 2006

“HAIL THE BLACK HILLS OF OUR LAND,

TO THE WHITE MILK OF OUR LAND,

SWEET IS OUR WATER AND AIR,

LOYAL IN HEART AND IN HAND,

WE THE KUTCHIS HOLD,

TRUE TO OUR LAND.”

FROM A KUTCHI FOLKSONG

chan

draa

khil@

hotm

ail.c

omC-14, Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi-16Tel.: 41688955-56, 42030400 Fax: 26852916Email: helpage@nde.vsnl.net.in

Website: www.helpageindia.org

Community Based Disaster Preparedness ManualPost Earthquake Reconstruction Project EU Gujarat (PERPEUG)

January 2006

HelpAgeInternationalLeading global action on ageingEuropean Union

Edited by:Anupama Datta

The idea of the manual for disaster preparedness was envisioned by

Mr. Anant Bir Singh, former Deputy Director PERPUEG Project; his

contribution to enrich the contents of the manual by including relevant

details is deeply appreciated. Mr. Godfred Paul of HelpAge International

provided valuable guidance throughout to make this manual more

meaningful.

Special thanks are due to the older persons and relief agency workers who

participated in this project despite their personal misery and anguish.

Special mention must be made for the dedicated and sincere efforts of the

following HelpAge India staff members, without which this work would not

have been completed. Col. (Retd.) Akhilesh Sharma, Country Head

Programmes, Ms. Hina Sharma Senior Manager PERPEUG Project and her

team members.

The financial support of European Union and HelpAge International and her

team members.

Copies of the Manual can be obtained from

Research and Strategic Development Department

HelpAge IndiaC-14, Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi-16Tel.: 91-11-41688955-56, 420430400Fax: 91-11-26852916Email: helpage@nde.vsnl.net.in

Acknowledgements

Chapter Page No.

Introduction 5

General Profile : Survey Results 7

Management of Needs of Older Persons 8

General Steps 10

Role of Older Persons in Disasters 12

Planning for Disaster Preparedness 15

Safety Tips During Disasters 18

First Aid for Older Persons During Disasters 21

Search and Rescue 27

Relief Distribution 30

Annexure-1: Disasters in Gujarat: An Overview 32

Annexure-2: Sphere Guidelines 42

Annexure-3: Definitions 50

Contents

NGO Non Government Organisation

OP(s) Older Person(s)

ORS Oral Re-hydration Salts

SHG Self Help Group

Abbreviations

Background

In the past couple of years, our country had to face additional challenges of natural disasters in almost all parts: East (Orissa Super-cyclone), West (Gujarat Earthquake), South (Tsunami) and now North (Kashmir Earthquake). The magnitude of the disasters was colossal and consequent human misery and material loss massive and the cost of reconstruction of life and property gigantic. We all know that we cannot stop these natural calamities; but, the million dollar question that all of us must ask ourselves is can we do something to lessen the damage to human and material resources? If yes, then is it not worthwhile to invest time and money in it? Prevention is better than cure, they say and also that preparedness is half battle won! If we know that this is the correct path to tread then we all must make our contribution to spread awareness on the subject and convince people, communities and governments at all levels to make sincere efforts to train communities to be prepared for disasters; more so in the high risk and multi-hazard zones. In India, many areas have been identified as hazard zones and government at central and state level is tackling the issue by passing legislation, forming committees for coordination, capacity building, installing early warning systems, maintaining databases of relevant agencies and other such steps.

These are no doubt important efforts to raise the general preparedness of the society to deal with disasters. Helpage India tries to sensitise the important stakeholders to include the concerns of older persons in these programmes; but, we have to go a step further and ensure that the benefit of this awareness and these initiatives reach the common older persons. The current manual is one such effort. It is designed to deal with the issue of building the capacity of older persons to deal with challenges of any emergency situation and the possible roles that they can play for the befit of their

community. This manual is based on our experience in post-quake Gujarat state of India.

Brief History

India has a history of earthquakes and many of them devastated life and property in the entire area that it affected, the recent memory being that of Tehri. In most places the questions pertaining to post-quake management were more or less the same; another element that did not change was perhaps our preparedness to deal with the issues of rescue, relief and rehabilitation. However, after the frequent recurrence of major natural disasters we have probably woken up to the importance of preparedness. We know that we cannot stop natural disasters but we can act sagaciously to minimise the damage to human life and property.

This preparedness is not a uni-level activity to be undertaken by the government but a multi level activity that should begin at individual, family, community, district, state and national level. The national government can plan at the macro level for installation of early detection and warning signs, evacuation facilities, training or capacity building of the concerned actors and/or stakeholders. The state governments along with district administration can gear up these facilities keeping in mind the specificities of the state and the district. But, the crucial elements that can make all the difference are the actors at the micro level: individual, family and the community; for the simple reason that these are the first point of assistance in any dire situation. Therefore, it is our effort to train them for facing any eventuality.

Helpage India provided relief and rehabilitation assistance to the affected people in all the recent natural disasters particularly the older persons. It has been our experience that in the chaotic atmosphere during or after any disaster, the weak and the vulnerable suffer the most and are least benefited out of the relief and rehabilitation

HelpAge India

Introduction

5

programmes. The older persons suffer the most because of subconscious ageism that most of the people including their family members believe in. Older persons are most often considered a spent force on whom scare resources should not be spent! If this is the basic assumption then automatically nobody pays attention, neither to special needs of older persons nor to the role that they can play in any such situation.

Fact Sheet on Natural Disasters in Gujarat

India suffered a devastating earthquake on January 26, 2001. The loss of life and nearly all of the destruction of physical assets took place in western and central Gujarat, where around 20 million people lived and worked. The death toll stood at over 20,000, and about 167,000 people were injured. Nearly one million homes were damaged or destroyed. Small enterprises especially single family artisans, shopkeepers and rural industries were also affected. Health and education infrastructure was severely damaged, with two district hospitals destroyed, and over 1,200 health clinics (mostly in rural areas), and over 11,600 schools destroyed or damaged. There was similar destruction of both rural and urban water supply schemes. Over 240 earthen dams for small reservoirs providing water for irrigation, rural and urban domestic needs, and industry were also damaged. Other infrastructure services like electricity and telecommunications were extensively damaged.

Although Gujarat is relatively richer and has grown faster than other Indian states, but, the area most severely affected by the earthquake is poor. It includes the district of Kutch (where over 90 percent of the deaths and 85 percent of asset losses occurred) and the districts of Jamnagar, Rajkot, and Surendranagar. It is a sparsely populated, resource poor, arid region, vulnerable not only to earthquakes but also to cyclones and drought.

The earthquake struck in the wake of two consecutive years of drought in 1999 and 2000. The main sources of employment are agriculture, animal husbandry, salt mining and refining, handicrafts, and trade. Agriculture is largely rain-fed and there are few perennial crops. The agriculture and dairy sectors are extensive, with little mechanization and thus low levels of capital intensity. Although, some households benefit from transfers from relatives working in Mumbai and abroad, poverty is higher and social indicators worse in the earthquake-affected areas than in the rest of the state.

The implications of these facts are very clear; Gujarat is prone to multiple disasters, those areas worst affects by recurrent droughts, cyclone and worsened by earthquake are the relatively poor areas economically and in some areas young able bodied people immigrate in search of employment. In such dire circumstances, it is unavoidable for community to develop a bias towards older persons. In some cases, they may be just left alone in the village when the disaster strikes. Therefore, it is crucial that older persons along with the community be trained to be prepared for natural disasters particularly with respect to the needs and roles of older persons.

Basis of the Manual

A survey was conducted in 150 villages of two affected districts of Gujarat: Bhuj and Surendranagar wherein information on availability of basic facilities (in pre/post disaster situations) like drinking water, sanitation health care, occupation, perception of the community on older persons, their role, special needs before during and after the disaster, vulnerability was collected. To enrich the data collected, the experience of the partner agencies that worked with HelpAge India to provide rescue, relief and rehabilitation along with the views of staff members of HelpAge India were also recorded.

Community Based Disaster Preparedness Manual HelpAge India

Geographical Coverage

Two most affected districts of Gujarat were selected for focus group discussion to find out about older persons and disasters. In the selected districts i.e. Kutch and Surendranagar 6 out of 9 blocks were covered in the former while 2 out of 9 blocks were covered in the latter; 113 villages were covered in Kutch and 37 in Surendranagar.

Most Feared Disasters

28 villages in Kutch identified cyclone as the biggest potential threat as compared to 2 in Surendranagar. 11 villages in Kutch and 18 in Surendranagar considered drought as a major disaster in the near future. 70 villages in Kutch and 11 in Surendranagar considered earthquake as a major threat. 6 villages in Surendranagar considered flood as a major challenge.

Occupation

Dry agriculture, agricultural labour, casual labour, charcoal making, animal husbandry, dairy and weaving and embroidery work are the major occupations of the people in the area. Most of the able bodied young persons immigrate to the other parts of the country in search of employment leaving behind, women and children and in some cases only the old and disabled in the villages. Most of them immigrate as seasonal labourers.

Immigration Details

In Kutch district, 24% respondents migrated to take up a job or start a business outside the district

or state; 41% immigrated due to drought and 28% were seasonal immigrants to saltpans or other seasonal work and 7% immigrated due to traditions. In Surendranagar district, 40% of those who immigrated were seasonal workers or saltpan workers as compared to 33% in search of job or business and only 27% moved out because of drought. In this district there were no communities who moved as part of their tradition.

Vulnerability of Older Persons

In almost all the blocks, majority of older persons suffered from poverty. The proportion varied from 71% in Limbdi (Surendranagar) to 92% in Lakhpat (Kutch). The proportion of older persons left behind in the villages by the family varied from a low of 4% in Lakhpat (Kutch) to a high of 31% in Rapar (Kutch). Those living alone constituted a minority of the vulnerable older persons in the area. The proportion varied from 1% Bhachau (Kutch) to 6% in Limbdi (Surendranagar).

Social Security Provisions: Old Age Pension

In Kutch district, 9%(906) of the total older persons were eligible for getting benefits of old age pension, but out of these only 23%(207) were getting this benefit and 16% (145) were getting it only intermittently. In Surendranagar district, 4% (315) of the older persons were eligible for this benefit and out of that 60% (192) were getting some support and only 17% (56) were getting it intermittently.

General Profile of the Area Surveyed

76

category. 13% identified irregular income in this category; whereas 26% villages identified this as third major difficulty faced by older persons during rehabilitation phase. About 9% villages identified lack of mobility, corruption and inability to provide requisite documents as third major difficulty.

The partner agencies that worked with HelpAge India for the Relief and Rehabilitation programmes in Gujarat were of the view that scarcity affects the need fulfilment of older persons and women. Families tend to pay more attention to the young and the able bodied than the old and frail. Therefore, there is an urgent need to sensitise communities and the government to pay attention to this aspect in disasters.

While soliciting the opinion of the older persons in a group discussion the volunteers were mindful of the following:

1. Facilitate the participation of older persons in the group discussion to articulate their priorities.

2. Body language of the volunteer/s should be friendly and never miss the focus of the discussion. Ensure that the self respect of the older generation is maintained

3. Volunteer/s should be able to identify their priorities and take appropriate action during disasters.

4. The needs of the old properly should be properly taken care of in the community contingency plan.

5. Evolve a combined effort to change the hitherto negative approach of the society in general to the older people.

6. Encourage participation of the older persons in community planning and implementation. Suggest that the community take their help in preparing a proper village map; resource and disaster map and identify the number of vulnerable older people in the community.

Contingency Plan should be made in such away that it ensures effective relief and rehabilitation to the older persons keeping in mind their disabilities and specific needs.

Community Based Disaster Preparedness Manual HelpAge India

22% people identified lack of clothing facility as a second worst difficulty faced by older persons. 15% put lack of cash doles and 13% people identified unequal distribution and lack of food in this category, 11% people identified lack of drinking water, lack of provision for dealing with special needs of older persons as the second major difficulty faced by older persons during relief phase.

18% villages identified lack of provision for dealing with special need of older persons as the third major difficulty. 13% identified lack of clothing facility in this category whereas almost 10% villages identified lack of cash doles, lack of provision for psycho-social support and unequal distribution as the third major problem.

Relief Camps

As for the difficulties faced by older persons in relief camps, 22% identified getting food supply as the worst difficulty. 12% identified lack of access to drinking water and temporary shelter facility as the worst difficulty. 7% identified lack of sanitation facility as the worst difficulty for older persons.

Almost 18% villages identified lack of food and lack of access to drinking water as the second major difficulty faced by older persons. 15% identified lack of access to temporary shelter facility as the third major problem. 11% villages identified lack of medical facility. 13% identified lack of sanitation facilities for older persons as the third major difficulty faced by older persons in the relief camp.

Rehabilitation

32% identified inability to provide requisite documents to claim relief and rehabilitation facilities as the worst difficulty faced during rehabilitation phase. 23% identified lack of necessary information as a major hindrance. 3% villages identified lack of regular income as a worst difficulty and 4% identified lack of mobility as the worst difficulty.

23% villages identified lack of information as the second most important difficulty faced by older persons during rehabilitation phase. 18% identified inability to provide requisite documents to claim relief and rehabilitation support in this

Management of Needs of Older Persons in Disaster

Disasters have differential impact on the different strata of the community. The weak and the vulnerable are affected more than the able and strong. Experience suggests that in most cases, the worst affected are (1) Older Persons (2) Diseased (3) Mentally and Physically Challenged (4) Pregnant Women and Young Mothers (5) Children (6) Destitute (7) People living in or near the Weak Buildings (8) Poor. Some of these vulnerable sections face multiple disabilities e.g. a poor destitute older woman will be the worst affected.

There should be special provisions in the plan for disaster mitigation for all the categories, especially for the older persons. Their priorities should be integrated into the community contingency plan and these should be based on their needs as identified by them. A comprehensive check list should be prepared for taking acre of the needs of older persons for the pre and post- disaster stages. Volunteers who are sensitive to the needs of older persons should be identified from the community, who with proper training will be able to help the OPs effectively.

The first in this direction should be initiating a dialogue in the community to identify the needs of OPs and volunteers willing to take the lead in the process.

Helpage India initiated one such process in two earthquake affected districts in Gujarat where opinion of community in 150 villages was sought on the subject.

The community identified the following:

30% villages identified access to clean drinking water as the most important need of the older persons in the relief phase in the first priority. 26% identified economic support as the most important need of older people. Almost 15% villages identified safe shelter facility and sanitation facilities as most important requirements of older persons.

18% villages identified sanitation as the second most important requirement for the older persons during the relief phase. A similar proportion of villages identified access to drinking water as the second most important requirement of older persons. 13% villages identified safe, shelter facility and fulfilling special needs of older persons as an important priority.

17% villages identified safe, shelter facility, access to drinking water and economic support as priority No. 3. 9% villages considered fulfilling special need of older persons in the same category.

Difficulties Faced by Older Persons

Rescue

The group discussions with the villagers in the affected districts of Gujarat revealed that 36 out of 150 villages (24%) identified lack of means of communication as a major difficulty during (any) disaster. The other major difficulties identified were lack of early warning system (18%), lack of technical equipments to rescue people and property (11%), lack of availability of food (9%).

18% villagers identified lack of food as the second major difficulty faced by older persons in rescue phase. This was followed by inadequate medical facility (12%) and lack of means of communication (11%). 12% villages identified inadequate manpower, medical facility and lack of food as the third major difficulty faced by older persons during rescue phase.

Relief

43% villages identified an equal distribution of relief material as the worst difficulty for older person. 27% identified lack of food in this category and an almost equal percentage identified lack of drinking water and loss of household items as a major difficulty. 21% identified lack of cash doles as the worst difficulty faced by older persons during (any) disaster.

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Community Based Disaster Preparedness Manual HelpAge India

the challenges of survival after the disaster. In most cases, cash transfers are given to the young adults and then OPs depend on them for support.

4. If the older person is a destitute or living alone, then the community volunteers should take special care of the needs of that person.

5. Their personal comfort, mobility, security are to be ensured.

6. Provide scope for trauma counselling to all the OPs particularly the destitute and the most affected e.g. those who have lost family members, all the assets, severely injured and other most vulnerable.

Detailed List of the needs of OPs and the steps to be taken by the community and the family in the pre and post disaster stages:

General Steps to be Taken to Ensure that Older Persons are Looked After

1. Older Persons should be a part of the social and vulnerability mapping for disaster preparedness and their needs should be duly communicated and included in the plan.

2. Distribution of Relief material should be organised in such a manner that older persons are not left out and they do not have to struggle to get it. The components of the relief package should have food, clothing and medicines as per the needs of OPs. The needs of OPs should be listed beforehand and communicated by the community volunteers/leaders to the concerned actors (government bodies, donors, UN agencies, NGOs and CBOs)

3. Take steps to ensure that older persons receive immediate cash transfers to deal with

On Receiving Warning

Relief

1. Collect the latest information from time to time. The disaster may strike again. Be prepared to face the challenge and inform other people.

2. Collect information on missing and trapped persons and press volunteers into service.

3. Locate the proper place, food, drinking water, medicines, and sanitation facilities for the OPs in the shelter facility.

4. Don't panic and initiate appropriate timely action. Always prepare alternative plan.

5. Every one must use sticks and ropes to help each other in water filled area. The speed of water must be taken into consideration while crossing.

6. Proper management of the shelter house should be ensured.

7. Take appropriate action for providing primary health care, supply of medicines, sanitation facility, carcass disposal, cleaning, and loss; assessment and information collection.

1. Collect latest information obey instruction and help in implementing decisions.

2. List out the family members missing and helping the rescue team to take appropriate measures.

3. Give a helping hand to the OPs in all these activities.

4. Share the information with the OPs.

5. All the OPs should have a walking stick and torchlight.

6. Ensure fulfilment of specific needs of the OPs in the shelter facility. Their minimum comfort should be given first priority.

7. Which returning back home the safely conditions of the house is to be judged and after going into the house themselves then take the OPs if it is safe.

8. Don't allow the old persons to drift, to be apprehensive and panic. Assure them and look at their specific needs. Trauma counselling is to be planned for them.

Community

1. Prepare who's who and clearly identify the volunteers for the OPs.

2. They should know who is going to do what for them.

3. Decision with a check list of items to be taken to the shelter to be completed.

4. Storage of things most needed by the OPs in a common and approachable place.

5. Plan to collect latest information and coordinate with Govt/ NGO to take appropriate action.

6. All volunteers to remain alert and take positions and complete collection and storage of material.

7. Take decisions on evacuation. Arrange mode of transport, most needed supplies etc.

8. Regroup Rescue and First Aid team and decide on the final plan of action.

Family

1. Identify older people and list out their specific needs.

2. Help the volunteers organise and communicate to the OPs.

3. Decision on evacuation to be taken in emergency.

4. Family should be ready with materials catering to the specific needs of the OPs.

5. Family to be aware of the community's efforts for the care of OPs.

6. Prepare the OPs mentally to take on the challenge and all possible points of support.

7. Keep in touch with the Rescue and First Aid team and obey their safety instructions.

8. Give these teams information about your family members' position to facilitate early action.

9. Communicate, help and supervise the decision to shift to the safer places. Guide the persons and the way to safely evacuate all vulnerable people including the Ops.

9. Store the valuables in plastic cover in a safe place. Take all the necessary things with you while shifting to safe places as per check list prepared earlier.

Rehabilitation

1. Initiate measure for Rehabilitation.

2. Ensure economic security of the OPs through cash transfer or income generation activities.

3. Plan for a proper loss assessment process.

4. To initiate plan of action for restoring livelihood of the worst affected.

5. Continue trauma counselling for the worst affected and mentally disturbed.

6. To help the suffering people get legal support and settle their compensations and insurance problems.

To give adequate importance to the OPs in all the five spheres identified to be initiated in the community level.

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receptive and show slow reaction, but, they remain prepared to play their role for their family and society. As the next generation takes charge of the family affairs they sit and play the advisory role. Hence they can play a very crucial and important role for disaster preparedness as well. Their role can be ensured in the following manner.

1. They can use their experience gained throughout life.

2. Their familiarity with the local area, community, resources gives them an edge in planning for future.

3. Crisis management can be their forte. They have the wit, patience, mental strength to think of possible approach and solutions to face a crisis, since they have survived so many!

4. There is respect for their opinion in society. Younger adults listen to their advice.

5. As their family commitment reduces with age, they can work for the community.

6. Lack of selfish interest brings credibility to their action and their judgment is respected.

7. In planning, co-ordinating and monitoring they can play a less physical and more mental role in disaster management.

Their role in different phases of disaster can be marked in the following way.

1. Role before onslaught of disaster.

a) Preparing the community to combat disasters.

b) Advice to build disaster resistant low cost houses.

c) Adopt time tested local systems to face disasters.

d) Prepare children and women through disaster mock dri l ls, folklores, drawings, paintings, traditional folk songs, dance and drama.

e) Ensure Inter and intra organisational coordination among various stake holders.

f) Develop Contingency Plan for the area

keeping in mind knowledge its resources, people and possible difficulties.

g) Help prepare social map, disaster map and resource map with participation of the cross sections of the society.

Role during Disaster

1. Using own experience and acquired knowledge they can guide the society in anticipating problems.

2. Take decision on the role of different volunteers identified to different jobs and relocate when one is not available.

3. Decide on the security and safety of the village and appoint watch-and-ward volunteers for the purpose before leaving for safety to the shelters.

4. To advise the youths to come together and inspire them to do their bit for their society.

5. Make and maintain a check list of the most vulnerable and arrange for their safety.

6. Advise to do rescue and give first aid to the sufferers.

Role after the Disaster

1. Try to console the traumatised people by counselling them

2. Fight traditional belief that talking or preparing about disaster brings bad luck/disaster.

3. Take decisions on procurement, store and distribution of relief materials.

4. Encourage youths to be active in restoration of normalcy.

5. Play a role model of an ideal volunteer and a leader.

6. Consider the timing of the return of the people to respective houses after the disaster is over.

7. Convince people to be vigilant despite some false warnings/alarms due to unpredictability of weather.

Community Based Disaster Preparedness Manual HelpAge India

Role of Older Persons in Disasters

4. Learn skills to safeguard and protect from further injury/ damage.

5. Build on the local coping mechanism to make it foolproof.

6. Reduce the response time to the minimum and develop the first set of responders locally.

7. Initiate post-disaster strategy to allow the community to regain normalcy in minimum possible time.

List of Essential Steps for Community Based Disaster Preparedness:

1. Identify the potential danger of disasters to the community.

2. Find out the volunteers and give them required knowledge base through training.

3. Locate the resources needed to address the situation.

4. Keep ready the infrastructure to cater to the needs in disaster.

5. Develop communication system and build on the traditional process of passing on information during emergencies.

6. Prepare the social mindset to cope to the disasters without waiting for outside help.

7. Manage the community through mobilization of local resources and proper distribution of relief materials.

8. Keep continuous efforts going through preparing social maps, disaster maps, vulnerability analysis, risk analysis, mock drills and activities for vulnerable sections of the society OPs, children, women and destitute.

In this disaster preparedness process all sections of the society are to be involved and ownership or cross sections of the society shall bring better participation which will result in greater success. OPs may be mentally and physically weak, less

Focus group discussions held in 150 villages of two quake- affected districts with the community including older persons revealed that older persons in 32% villages played the role of care takers of children, in another 32% provided counselling to the affected people and 32% villages played an active role in management of relief supplies and distribution.

The discussion with the partner agency representatives of HelpAge India revealed that experience and expertise in knowledge of local resources can be harnessed at local level. They play a role in distribution of relief material as they know most of the people in the villages and some help in running community kitchen. They are more suitable for playing the roles that require less of physical labour as many of them suffer from various diseases.

80% village communities were of the view that the OPs should be provided training to improve their skills in the areas in which they are already playing an important role in post disaster situations. The representatives of the partner agencies also agreed with this.

Experience has shown that the only protection from vagaries of disasters is preparedness. Preparedness will be meaningful if it is practiced across all levels of community and administration. The best results will be possible if response at the local level is prompt and relevant to the community. A disaster management team with a clear cut understanding of its role and support structures can go a long way in minimising the human, social and economic damage caused by the natural disasters. The team should address the following urgent needs of the affected population:

1. Appropriate measures to protect life and property from disaster.

2. Create a knowledge base that will help individual, family and community to respond to the situation properly.

3. Develop life saving skills so that response can be immediate.

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Steps To Facilitate the Use of Older Persons Skills

In order to give a practical shape to the above conceived activities the following steps are to be taken. (1) Organise the OPs of the village/ community. (2) Maintain the physical and mental

Community Based Disaster Preparedness Manual HelpAge India

Role of Older Persons in Restoring Sources of Livelihood

health of the OPs. (3) Organise regular mock drills to refresh skills. (4) Decide what training shall be given to the members to make themselves self sufficient and facilitate training. (5) Organise activities to improve their mental and physical capacity and prove to the younger people that what they are capable of.

While preparing the community for facing disasters, the contingency plan should have a special component for the OPs. The vulnerable sub groups (older women, disabled, destitute, poor) in this broader category of OPs should also be identified and targeted so that they suffer minimum if disaster strikes.

To make the plan practical and bring more involvement of the OPs, their involvement from the beginning of preparing the disaster plan is crucial. If they are involved in making the plan they will be careful in implementing it.

In order to ensure their participation the volunteers have to take up their initial role seriously. They should be encouraged and trained to take on this responsibility and allowed the flexibility to change their plans according to the circumstances to get best possible results. Various stages can be identified to associate OPs with disaster preparedness:

First Step

All young-old people in the community should be organised in the form of a local formal group. If necessary and possible two sub-groups of older men and women can be organised for the purpose of discussion and planning.

Second Step

The OPs can recollect and systematically record the history of disasters affecting their area. This history and experience shall be shared with the future generations and can help preparing for the problems faced so far. The record should take into account approximate time of occurrence, its frequency and extent of damage. It can show the extent of damage to the different groups and prove the extent of their vulnerability. It can also try to identify who did what, who gave the leadership and how the community faced it.

Third Step

Recording the past experience is the first step. The community should try and put this knowledge in

the perspective of the current scenario: the geographical, physical and social conditions of the village, available resources, structures, technical aids etc.

They can draw a rough map of the village which should be intelligible even to the illiterate people. These maps should facilitate a process of dialogue among the commoners of the society. In the process of making the social map, resource map and disaster map, different mediums/colours should be used depict the positioning of the different resources of the village/ community. This map can be used as a ready reference point for any discussion on contingency planning to face disaster. All the four maps shall give the following details of the village.

1. Geographical Map - This will show the topography and geography of the village, the physical location and demographic details of the village and its surroundings. It will show the number of houses thatched, tiled and pucca RCC houses. It will show clearly the houses of families with members of OPs, lands and fields, forest, trees, tanks, ponds, tube wells, wells. It will show the common infrastructure, burial ground, etc.

2. Hazard Map - The possible areas of the village which may be affected by the hazard, including the houses, the infrastructure and roads, etc. are shown in this map.

3. Resource Map - Safe houses, buildings, shelters, elevated and uplands, health, medical and sanitation facilities are to be identified in this map.

4. Risk Map - The presentation of the results of risk assessment on a map, shooting the levels of expected losses which can be anticipated in specific areas, during a particular time period, as a result of particular hazards.

Planning for Disaster PreparednessFarm Sector

l Initiate steps to restore agricultural land

l Steps against sand logging

l Assess damage of crops

l Lack of fodder Vegetable/ horticulture crops

l Restore and repair agricultural implements.

Non-farm sector

l Plan for marketing

l Arrange resource/ capital

l Initiate discussion for

facilitating banking support

l Develop/Activate SHG

l Help start small scale co-operatives

l Arrange fishing nets and boats etc.

Natural-resource plan

l Steps to replace loss of vegetation

l Steps to replace lost fruit trees.

l Restoration of Plantation for grazing, firewood and fodder

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Fourth Step

Looking at the capacity, age, knowledge base, practical approach and quality of the identified volunteers they can be organised into different groups who can be entrusted with the different activities during disasters. Some of the important groups are given below. These groups should work in tandem and scope will be given for replacement and skill up gradation training and exposure.

1. Warning group

2. Shelter maintenance and management group

3. Group in charge of water and sanitation

4. Search aid rescue team

5. First aid team

6. Relief team

7. Carcass Disposal and Debris clearance team

8. Counselling team

9. Reconstruction team

10. Coordination team

11. Damage Assessment Group

These groups shall look to the specific problems of the old persons and fulfil their specific needs pertaining to their area of activity. The special needs of the particular OPs must be brought out in a list that is to be finalized long before disaster strikes and updated ,if need be.

On the part of the OPs can be a part of the teams identified above and may handle the particular activities given below.

Community Based Disaster Preparedness Manual HelpAge India

During the Occurrence of the Disasters

Older Men

1. Warning

2. Advising

3. Identify safety routes and ways

4. Help in search/ rescue/ first aid

5. Supervision and reallocation of manpower

Older Women

1. Caring for pregnant women and children.

2. Supervise Cooking

3. Distribution among Women

4. Trauma Counselling

5. Help in providing first aid.

6. Collection or storage of relief materials.

1. Rehabilitation

2. Patiently make others active

3. Try to revive education and health care facilities

4. Inspect the damaged houses and decide shifting.

1. Help in reunion of family member

2. Trauma counselling

3. Address all issues of women

4. Manage the vulnerable

5. Maintain records etc.

6. Inspect the houses and decide to shift back.

After the Disaster

To prepare themselves for the potential threats from disaster the OPs should do the following:

1. Self learning on various aspects of disaster management and help others

2. Facilitate training and help create interest of senior citizens in it.

3. Advice to repair the vulnerable portions of the house/ facilities.

4. Take active interest in developing community contingency.

5. Take tips on trauma counselling, first aid and rescue/ rehabilitation.

6. Involve in Mock drill at various levels and finally at community level regularly before cyclone/ flood seasons.

7. Make a group of old people, organise it and try to make it useful.

1. Learn/ Develop life saving skills

2. Learn counselling skills to deal with PTSD patients.

3. Save the young women from social taboo and advise them to learn life saving methods like swimming, etc.

4. Involve in timely repair in houses.

5. Involve the women in developing disaster plan.

6. Involve in mock drill.

7. Identify problems of women and think of corrective measures.

8. Participate in SHGs and try to make them dynamic and useful.

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l Use family contact at a distant to relocate your family members.

Cyclone

Before the cyclone season

1. Keep watch on Radio, T.V., weather conditions. Be alert about community warning.

2. Identify route to the safest place to give you shelter.

3. Do not listen to rumours.

4. Keep an emergency kit ready.

5. Check the roof and cover it with net or bamboo. Repair house. Cover mud walls. Bind each corner of the roof with a plastic rope.

6. Trim dry tree branches, cut off dead trees, clear all debris.

7. Clear loose materials which may fly and damage.

8. Locate safe high ground to save yourself, family, animals from storm surge.

9. Keep important documents, passbook etc. in a tight plastic bag and take it with you.

10. Identify safe place to keep your eatables, water, etc. in polythene under earth.

11. Keep emergency address and phone numbers with you.

12. Update vulnerability list and amp of your area.

13. Cyclone drill with search, rescue and first aid should be conducted.

14. Stock of dry foods, medicines, shelter materials to be maintained.

When you get the cyclone warning

1. Keep drinking water/ food storage ready.

2. Keep clothing ready.

3. Prepare asset list and known persons address ready and share it with community.

4. Keep boats, bullock carts, cycles, motors ready.

5. Stay indoors with pets, close doors and windows properly.

6. Pack warm clothing; essential medicines, valuables, important papers and documents, water, dry food, water proof bags keep emergency kit ready.

7. Listen to Radio, T.V. and local warning system for latest information.

8. Take decision on shifting to earlier identified shelter in a proper route.

9. Do not venture into the sea.

10. If evacuation becomes necessary switch off electricity from main switch, gas, water etc. carry emergency kit and your required materials with you.

When the cyclone occurs

l Disconnect all electricity and gas.

l Protect yourself with a mattress, rugs, and blankets under a strong table when the house is collapsing.

l Listen to radio for update information.

l Do not return to house unless damage is essential and found safe.

l Don't come out when cyclone may recur. Beware about the 'calm eye' after which cyclone reappears.

l Beware of fallen power lines, damaged bridges, buildings, trees and do not enter the flood waters.

l Be careful about snakebite and carry a stick with you.

After the Cyclone

l Do not go outside unless declare safe.

l Check for gas leaks and fallen live electric lines.

l Listen to radio for advice and latest information.

l Do not return home until properly advised to do so.

l Do not go out and listen to warnings.

Safety Tips During Disasters

Every disaster needs separate types of preparation which shall provide safety to the individuals, families and the community. Here we describe safety tips when any of the following strikes: earthquake, cyclone, flood and heat wave.

Earthquake

Earthquake gives no warning and no time to react. It is essential to formulate a safety plan for yourself and for your family. Adopt the following safety measures.

Before the Quake

l Always keep the following things in a proper place. They are bottled drinking water, dry food, first-aid-kit, Torchlight, radio.

l Identify places in the house where to get safety during earthquake.

l Have a contact number and address of a friend in distance that can help.

l Take earthquake safety measures at home. Reinforce the foundation and frame. Kutcha buildings also can be retrofitted and strengthened.

l Check that roof top water storage tanks are properly tied with the main structure.

l Do not keep racks etc in the exit passages.

l Make a family Disaster Plan: know what to do and where to meet your family after the quake; identify one relative in another city to provide information about your safety; Make an emergency kit (torch, water, money, portable radio, first aid kit, candles, battery, food items, match stick) and replenish it once in awhile; identify emergency exit in your house and always keep it clear; hold mock drills.

During Quake

l A loud rumbling sound might signal its arrival.

l Take cover; go under a table or sturdy furniture.

l If there is no cover nearby then kneel or sit close to the floor next to a structurally sound interior wall. Place your hands on the floor for balance.

l Do not stand in door ways.

l Move away from windows, mirrors, bookcases, etc.

l Avoid touching loose electric wires.

l Switch off gas and electric connections.

l If you are living in a kutcha house, move to an open area where there are no trees, electric or telephone wires.

l If you are in the open stay there until the shaking is over. Avoid being close to high buildings, walls, power poles and other objects that could fall.

l Don't re-enter damaged buildings and stay away from badly damaged structures.

After the Quake

l Wear shoes/ chappals to protect legs from debris.

l Aftershock follow tremor, in first hours, days, weeks, months after.

l Check for fire hazards, use torch lights, not candles, etc.

l Help injured/ trapped, give first aid and ask for expert help.

l Help the elderly who require utmost care.

l Stay out of damaged buildings.

l Return home after judging the damage.

l Take care for electricity, gas leak, spilled inflammable liquids.

l Help douse fire

l Do not crowd damaged areas unless help has been requested.

l Open closet doors and cupboards cautiously.

l Use telephone only in emergency.

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l Please cooperate in taking care of the elderly.

HEAT WAVE

Safety Tips

1. Avoid going out in hot sun between 12 noon and 3 pm.

2. Take sufficient water and other soft drinks.

3. Wear light weight, light coloured, loose, porous, cotton clothes. Use protective goggles, umbrella/ hat, shoes and chappals while going out.

4. Avoid strenuous activities under hot sun.

5. Carry water with you while travelling.

6. Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee and carbonated soft drinks. These will dehydrate body soon.

7. Avoid high-protein food.

8. Use damp cloth on head, neck, face, limbs while going out.

9. If you have feeling of illness and fainting, immediately consult doctor.

10. Use ORS, home-made drinks like lassi, torani, lemon water, butter milk to re-hydrate your body.

11. Keep animals in shade and give them plenty of water to drink.

12. Keep your home cool, use curtains, shutters or sun shade and open windows at night.

13. Use fans, damp clothing and take bath in cold water frequently.

Treatment of Sunstroke Affected Person

1. Lay the person in a cool place, under a shade.

2. Wipe her/ him with a wet cloth/ wash the body frequently.

3. Pour normal water on the head.

4. Try to bring down the body temperature.

5. Give the person ORS to drink to re-hydrate.

6. Shift the person to health unit after initial management.

7. Be prompt as heat stroke can be fatal.

Floods

Before Flooding

1. Know safe route to safest place.

2. Repair your house to face flood fury.

3. Keep an emergency kit ready with portable radio, torch, water, dry food, kerosene, candle, and match boxes, polythene bags for valuables, umbrella, bamboo stick, salt and sugar.

4. First aid kit, manual, strong ropes.

5. Learn swimming and climbing trees.

On hearing flood warning

1. Tune in your TV/ radio regularly during flood season.

2. Keep vigil on flood warning by local authorities.

3. Don't panic or, hear rumours.

4. Keep dry food, drinking water, clothes ready.

5. Take bullock cart, animals to safer places and boats to strategic places.

6. Bind your thing with each other so that they will not be washed away.

7. Give proper checks to entry points of water.

During floods

1. Drink disinfected water.

2. Keep food covered, don't take heavy meals.

3. Do not take food drenched in flood water.

4. Take enough water supplements in diarrhoea.

5. Use bleaching powder and lime to disinfect the surroundings.

6. Help the officials/ volunteers distributing relief materials.

7. Take proper decision on going to a safer place.

8. Be careful of snake bites.

9. Do not allow children to go to flood water.

10. Do not use wet electrical appliances.

11. Take time to decide shifting back to home.

Community Based Disaster Preparedness Manual HelpAge India

3. Have a compassionate attitude to the physical and mental problems of the OPs.

4. Upgrade knowledge base from time to time.

5. Practise different processes during free time and with the injured in the normal times.

Role of the First Aid Provider

1. Assess the condition of the patient. Body temperature, pulse rate, breathing is to be checked. It is to be seen whether the patient is conscious or not, if in a state of shock or not. It is to be tested whether the airway is open and clear.

2. The patient is to be carefully shifted to a safer place.

3. Give immediate attention to the elderly sufferer.

4. Try to inform the professionally trained medical person to come to the site.

5. Lessen the effect of the condition and take steps not to allow it to deteriorate further. Try to bring back consciousness and stop heavy bleeding.

6. Assess the condition and decide on immediate treatment.

7. If there are several injuries, decide on the injuries to be given urgent attention.

8. Old people may loose mental equilibrium. Give proper attention to it before it aggravates.

The ABC of Resuscitation

Don't let time to go by. Vital moments can save life.

Airway (Clearing) Unlocking of the airway is very important. Restore breathing by using Head-Tilt/ Chin-Lift method. Place one hand on forehead. Place two fingers of the other hand under the chin and tilt the jaw upward while tilting the head back

A study held in disaster situation found that the elderly persons usually suffer from the following health problems/ diseases which worsen during disasters.

1. Anaemia, Asthma, TB, Malnutrition, Avitaminosis, Helimenthasis etc. (Lack of personal hygiene, Sanitation, Defecation outside)

2. Skin infection and lies infestation.

3. Gastro-enteritis, Amoebiosis

4. Arthritis and peripheral neuritis.

5. Cataract, Blindness

6. Mental depression, disorder, trauma

Apart from these diseases, OPs may suffer from minor and major injuries during the disaster. Special care and attention should be given to them. Many a times immediate first aid saves the life of the injured, it checks further injury, its aggravating impact and gives time for professional medical attention later. It is essential that the volunteers must know what to do to give immediate relief to the suffering individuals. The OPs are more vulnerable because of their physical and mental condition and weakening reflexes and already existing health related problems which are augmented during disasters.

Objectives of First Aid

1. Initiate immediate first step in the direction of treatment.

2. Check further worsening of the condition of the injured.

3. Take full care and give full attention till the patient gets professional medical attention.

Responsibility of the provider of first aid

1. To get training on various aspects of first aid.

2. Check with a doctor/ pharmacist whether the acquired knowledge is adequate.

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might indicate that there is damage inside.

Neck

Loosen clothing around neck. Take the carotid pulse, recording its rate, strength and rhythm. Run your finger down the spine, checking for irregularity and tenderness. Look for bruising.

Trunk

When the injured breathe deeply observe whether the chest expands evenly, easily and equally on the two sides. Check both collarbones and shoulders for deformity, irregularity, or, tenderness. See the ribcage and chest for any wound. Gently felt eh soft part of the abdomen to discover any wound, rigidity or tenderness. Feel both sides of the pelvic bone and gently 'rock' the pelvis to discover any sign of fracture. Note any inconsistence or bleeding.

Back and spine

Note impaired movement or sensation in the limbs, you should not move the casualty to examine the spine. Gently pass your hand under the hollow of the back and feel along the spine, checking for swelling and tenderness.

Upper limbs

Check movement and sensation in both arms. Ask the casualty to bend and straighten the fingers and elbows. Take his/ her hands see he/ she whether can feel normally? Note the colour of the finger. Look for bruising, swelling or deformity.

Lower limbs

The injured will be asked to raise each leg in turn and to bend and straighten ankles and knees, then look and feel for any wound, swelling or deformity.

Feet

Check movement and feeling in both the toes. Look at colour-blueness of the skin (cyanosis) which may indicate a circulatory disorder or cold injury.

Handling of Drowning Case

Drowning is a common happening. The old people will die in it because of suffocation. After rescuing from water take the following steps.

Community Based Disaster Preparedness Manual HelpAge India

5. Rise the feet by 6-10 inches.

6. Allow entry of fresh air to the room.

7. Try to stop bleeding.

8. Maintain temperature.

9. Don't do rough and excessive shifting.

Symptoms of Shock

1. Pulse rate rapid, pale grey skin, sweating and cold clammy skin.

2. Weakness, head reeling, thirst, rapid shallow breathing, fast irregular pulse.

3. Restlessness, anxiety, aggressiveness, yawning or gasping, unconscious, heart beating stops.

Total Examination

Go for a top-to-toe routine examination of the patient. Use both hands and don't disturb the patient much, comparing both sides of the body to find out where there is swelling.

Skull and Scalp

Running your hand over the scalp of the injured, bleeding, swelling, or any soft area may be identified. Handle the head of neck carefully.

Nose

Any sign of blood or fluid may indicate damage inside the skull. Note the colour, the temperature and the state of the skin.

Eyes

Examine the pupils of the eyes about their size. Look for any foreign body wound or bruising in the whites of the eyes. Unequal or decentred pupils indicate possible concussion or internal head injury.

Mouth

Examine the inside of the mouth. Note any odour in the mouth. See if anything is checking the airway. Examine whether denture is alright or not. Examine lips for burns of discoloration (Bluish).

Ears

Speak to the injured. Know whether both ears are working. Any blood or fluid coming out of the years

slightly. Do not jerk the neck or back because there may be closed injuries. Look for chest rise. Listen for air exchange. Feel for abdominal changes.

Breathing (Artificial Resuscitation) If there is no visible chest movement and heartbeat, start artificial ventilation immediately. Keep the casualty's head well back. Place your mouth over the casualty's mouth. Give two full breaths. Continue with one breath every five second till the casualty breathes or, medical help is available. You may place the heel of one hand on the top of the heel of the other hand just above the naval but below the breastbone. Press down on upper abdomen with six to ten quick thrusts. Continue till the casualty breathes or help arrives.

Circulation If heart stops and there is no pulse CPR can be applied with artificial ventilation (CPR can be counter productive without proper training and practice).

To stop bleeding

There are three types of bleeding as per flow of blood.

A) Arterial bleeding - Excessive bleeding leading to death (Spurting blood).

b) Bleeding from Vein results in excessive continuous flow of blood.

c) Capillary bleeding causes oozing of blood from skin surfaces.

What to do?

1. Give pressure putting a clean cloth atthe wound. Maintain compression by wrapping the wound firmly with a pressure bandage.

2. Elevate the wound above the level of the heart.

3. Put pressure on the nearest pressure point.

4. To save from a critical situation a tourniquet can be used with support of a doctor.

Treatment of an Open Wound

1. Clean the wound. Don't scrub. Use water and soap to clean.

2. Apply a dressing and bandage to help keep the wound clean.

3. You can apply pressure to stop bleeding.

4. If the bleeding is reduced then soften the bandage.

5. If there is no bleeding then remove the bandage.

6. Wound should be flushed and chocked for signs of infection over six hours. Signs of possible infection includes:-

(a) Swelling around the wound site (b) Discoloration (c) discharge (pus) from wound (d) Red striations from the wound site.

If a body part is cut off

(a) Try to control bleeding.

(B) Clean the cut off part properly and pack it in a plastic bog and keep in a cool place.

(c) Look for treatment of shock.

(d) Shift to a hospital for plastic surgery of plants.

Foreign Objects in a Body

Flying debris during disasters may enter human body.

1. Immobilise the affected body part.

2. Do not attempt to move or remove the object unless the object is blocking the airway.

3. Control bleeding without pressing the foreign object.

4. If it is fallen on the eyes don't rub the eye. Give light pres to the eye by a clean cloth.

5. Clean the wound and give a dressing around the object to keep it from moving.

6. Try to extricate the object in the hospital.

Shock Treatment

1. It needs immediate attention.

2. Don't give the patient anything to eat or drink.

3. Casualty should lie down on back.

4. Remove tight dress from the affected person's body.

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1. Keep the body little above than the head.

2. Examine whether the respiration and pulse rate is on.

3. If necessary administer artificial respiration.

4. Press the chest to bring out water from the lungs.

5. Remove the drenched cloth, give worm drinks and attend to cold.

6. Remove the patient to the hospital.

7. Don't press the lower abdomen if the air pipe is not blocked.

Treatment of Unconscious Person

Position the patient in a way that the tongue does not block the path. By keeping the head little down stop passage of water coming out of the stomach into the air passage. Head, neck and back should be kept in one line and the rest of the body to be kept little down keep the patient in a Recovery Position. Minimise movement of the head and spine.

Burn Treatment

All burn patients are divided into three types keeping in view their condition.

st1. 1 Degree burn Only outside of the skin is affected. It becomes red in colour and there is swelling.

nd2. 2 Degree burn Raw skin, blisters, becomes fatal if large area affected.

rd3. 3 Stage burn Skin appears pale, waxy or charred. Damage extends from skin to nerves, muscle and fat. Always treat for shock. Needs specialised medical treatment.

First Aid

1. Remove to a cool place. Apply cold treatment and cover body properly.

2. Remove the burnt dress from body. Cover body with clean cotton cloth.

3. Dip in cold water for 1 minute. Don't dip the 3rd stage burn in water.

4. It is important to check infection.

5. Keep the burnt region in an elevated position higher than the heart.

6. Do not use ice, which can cause hypothermia.

7. Do not apply antiseptics, ointments or other remedies.

8. Do not remove shreds of tissue, break blisters, particles of clothing.

Use caution when applying cool dressings to the old people. They are susceptible to hypothermia.

Fractures

A fracture is a complete break, a chip, or a crack in a borne. Fractures are (1) closed (2) open. A broken bone with no associated wound is closed fracture and needs splinting. An open fracture is a broken bone with some kind of wound. They are a higher priority injury.

1. Try to bring the exposed bone inside the skin.

2. Cover the injury with bandage.

3. The injury should be given a splint without disturbing the wound.

4. Cover exposed wound with moist bandage.

5. Take support of orthopaedic surgeon.

Dislocations (Injury to ligaments & around a joint.

The bones lock in their new position. The joints most commonly dislocated are fingers, shoulders, elbows, hips and ankles. Treat it like a fracture. Don't attempt to relocate the joint. Refer to trained medical staff.

Sprains and Strains

A sprain is the stretching or tearing of ligaments at a joint and is usually caused by stretching or extending the joint beyond its normal range of motion. The joints most easily sprained are the ankle, knee, wrist and fingers.

Symptoms

Tenderness of the site of the injury, Swelling and/ or bruising, restricted use or loss of use of the joint

Nasal Injuries

Control bleeding by (a) pinching the nostrils together (b) put pressure on the upper lip just under the nose (c) the patient should sit with the head slightly forward so that blood does not enter the lungs. Do not put the head back (d) keep the airway clean (e) keep the patient quiet. Anxiety will increase blood flow.

Diarrhoea and Gastroenteritis

1. Give adequate liquid supplement.

2. Get specialised medical support.

3. Wash hands after toilet with soap/ disinfectant.

4. Make sure faecal matter can not contaminate water sources.

Dehydration and Sunstroke

This may occur in very hot weather. This is very dangerous for OPs.

1. It starts with headache.

2. Dehydration occurs.

3. Patient becomes rapidly unconscious.

4. Has high temperature with no sweating.

5. The skin is dry, hot and red. Pulse is strong.

6. Give cooling treatment till temperature is normal.

Hypothermia Body temperature drops below normal. Old persons are easy victims to it when they are exposed to cold air or water, inadequate food and clothing.

Symptoms

1. Rapid Decrease in Body temperature (Below 950F)

2. Redness or blueness of the skin.

3. Numbness and shivering.

4. Slurred speech, unpredictable behaviour, listlessness.

Treatment

1. Remove wet cloth, wrap with a blanket from head and neck.

2. Protect against weather.

3. If conscious, provide warm and sweet drinks and food. Don't give alcohol or massage.

4. If unconscious, place in a recovery position.

5. Give warm bath if possible.

6. Don't allow to walk around even though recovered fully. When moving outside cover head and face.

Electrical Injuries

1. Breathing and heartbeat may stop.

2. A.C. current causes dysfunction of muscles preventing the affected person to move from the electric cable.

3. The current may cause burns at entry and exit point of the body.

4. Maintain a distance of 10 mts from the high voltage wire.

5. Don't touch the victim's body with your bare hands.

6. Use dry stick in case of low voltage wire to push the victim away.

7. Don't pour water on the affected person.

8. If necessary give artificial respiration.

9. Treat burns, associated injuries and shock.

Poisoning

Every household has poisoning substances like, bleach, petroleum products, petrol and pesticides.

1. Don't induce the victim to vomit.

2. Attend to revive respiration.

3. Identify the poison and inform doctor about it.

4. Take immediate help of doctors.

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Home Nursing for the OPs

The treatment of the OPs must be done with lot of care and sincerity as per the needs of the circumstances.

The volunteers must have

a) Adequate knowledge

b) Soft spoken and understanding

c) Patience in dealings

d) Disciplined and compassionate

e) Obey the guidance of the doctor

Their responsibility

1. Proper cleaning of environment. Ensure free movement of air and light. Avoid sound pollution. Cleaning of bed regularly. Keeping the things and dustbin in proper place.

2. Cleaning of the old person's skin, hands, legs, hair, teeth, nail, clothes and blanket. Regular cleaning of eyes and nose.

3. Dressing the wound regularly and properly.

4. Bed ridden OPs should be moved from side to side after regular intervals to allow blood circulation to the skin.

5. Older people affected by stroke should be cleaned and their limbs should be exercised.

6. Take record of body temperature, respiration, pulse rate, pain in particular limbs and discuss with the doctor to decide future steps.

7. Keeping in view the physical, mental condition and need of the body arrange balanced diet for the old patients.

Before the disaster affects your locality you should know above things and keep exercising on bandages. Arrange a first aid box with the following items.

Stretcher Sterile gauze pads

Adhesive Tape Tincture iodine

Antibiotics Torch light

Tarpaulin Disinfectant Soap

Sterile cotton White vinegar

Anti-bacterial drugs Rubber tourniquet

Blankets Normal Saline

Triangular Bandages Sodium bicarbonate

Pain relievers Scissors, Blades, Safety pins

Splints Antiseptic lotion and spirit

Roller Bandages of different widths Tetanus Toxoid

Tweezers Plaster

Sterile Adhesive Bandages Hydrogen Peroxide

Burn ointment Gentian Violet

Disposable Gloves Disposable syringes and needles

Oral Re-hydrants Water Purification tablets

Proper planning shall help in minimising loss of

human lives in general and older persons in

particular during disasters. The need of search

and rescue is urgent after any disaster but there is

risk involved in it and the community must be

prepared for this risk. Therefore, the following are

essential:

1. Take proper training for becoming a member

of the rescue team.

2. Proper tools must be kept ready for different

needs.

3. First 24 hours is the period when the injured

and trapped can be saved with 80% chances

of survival.

4. Resource planning will include the personnel

needed with proper training, equipments be

readily available at the site and tools for

lifting, moving and cutting disaster debris.

Procedure

(a) Gather facts (b) Assess situation (c) Identify

resources (d) Establish the rescue priorities (e)

Develop a rescue plan (f) Conduct the rescue (g)

Evaluate progress (h) change personnel from time

to time (i) Mark the completed task.

Safety tips

1. Always work in pairs Third person should act

as a runner.

2. Be alert for sharp objects, dust, hazardous,

materials, power lines, leaking gas, high

water, fire hazards and unstable structures.

If water is present check the depth. Never

enter rising water without proper equipment

and training.

3. Use of safety equipment Helmet, Goggles,

Whistle, torch, cloth protecting from cold,

rain, fire, etc.

4. Have back-up teams so that no one gets tired

and exhausted. Give adequate food and

drink supplements to the rescue team

members.

5. Take adequate safety measures for yourself

and save yourself from fatigue.

Evacuation

Evacuation can be planned in which first priority be

given to the old persons.

1. Determination of need of partial or total

evacuation.

2. Identify a safe area for evacuees.

3. Communicate to all the need and the safe

site for evacuation.

4. Consider and decide on alternate routes for

evacuation.

5. Make sure that the process is going on as per

plan.

6. Report to the concerned authority about the

evacuation.

What to do when rescue operation is on?

1. Give a loud call. If you get a response,

proceed in that direction.

2. Search one after the other area where the

victims might have been trapped.

3. If torch light is shown to the debris victim may

respond, to be rescued.

4. Use your belt and rope to stick to each other

and proceed one after the other.

5. Once you finish search operation in one

place give a 'X' mark so that there will be no

duplication of effort.

6. Keep record of the persons saved, killed and

trapped share the information with others.

Search and Rescue

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7. The rescuer should assess his/ her strength

before making the rescue attempt.

8. Give enough attention to one's own safety,

food, drinks, health and rest. The tired

persons themselves become victims.

9. Don't enter dilapidated houses/buildings

without assessing damage.

10. When lifting anybody try to give safety to

yourself.

a) Bend your knees and squat.

b) Keep the load close to your body.

c) Keep your back straight.

d) Push up with your legs.

Lifts and Drags

Decide the best way to lift the person when s/he

can not help him/her self.

1. One-Person Arm Carry: If you are

physically strong, you may be able to lift and

carry a victim by yourself. Reach around the

victim's back and under the knees, and lift.

The victims may be able to assist by placing

an arm around your shoulder.

2. One-Person Pack-Strap Carry: To

accomplish this :

l Stand with your back to the victim.

l Place the victim's arms over your

shoulders and grab the hands in front of

your chest.

l Hoist the victim onto your back by

bending forward slight, so his or her feet

just clear the floor.

3. Two-Person Lift:

l Rescuer-1: Squat at the victim's head

and grasp the victim from behind

around the midsection. Reach under

the arms and grasp the victim's

forearms.

l Rescuer -2: Squat between the victim's

knees, facing either toward or away

from the victim. Grasp the outside of the

victim's legs at the knees.

l Using safe lifting procedures, rise to a

standing position, lifting the victim. The

victim can then be carried to safety.

4. Chair Carry: This technique requires two

rescuers:

l Place the victim in a straight-back chair

(e.g., a wooden kitchen chair).

l Rescuer-1: Facing the back of the chair,

grasp the back uprights.

l Rescuer-2: With your back to the

victim's knees, reach back and grasp

the two front legs of the chair.

l Tilt the chair back, lift, and walk out.

5. Blanket Carry: The blanker carry requires at

least four rescuers to provide stability to the

victim, with one person designated as the

lead person.

l Lay a blanket next to the victim.

l Tuck the blanket under the victim, and

roll the victim into the centre of the

blanket.

l Roll up the blanket edges toward the

victim, to form tube-like handles on

each side of the victim.

l With two rescuers squatting on each

side and grasping the “handle,” the lead

person checks the team for even weight

distribution and correct lifting position.

l The lead person calls out, “Ready to lift

on the count of three: one, two, three,

lift.”

l The team lifts and stands in unison

keeping the victim level, and carries

away the victim feet first.

l To lower the victim, the lead person

calls out “Ready to lower on the count of

three: one, two three, lower.”

6. Improvised Stretchers: A variety of

materials can be used as improvised

stretchers, which can be carried by two

rescuers. For example, you can make a

stretcher from 2 poles and a blanket.

7. Drag: Drag the victim out of the confined

area by grasping either under the arms or by

the feet and pulling across the floor.

Remember to use safe lifting procedures.

One rescued down and grasping and edge of the

blanket, and dragging the victim across the floor.

Blanket Drag:

1. Warp victim in a blanket.

2. Squat down and grasp the edge of the

blanket

3. Drag victim across floor.

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Community Based Disaster Preparedness Manual HelpAge India

Relief distribution is to be planned for the entire area in a systematic manner with the involvement of the community. Volunteers trained for this purpose should take the lead in this case. Their responsibility will be to (1) Assessment of local community needs including special needs of vulnerable groups (2) Collection of relief material from the sources (3) Storage and guard against pilferage (4) Timely and Sagacious Distribution (5) management of other issues like health care, water, hygiene and sanitation etc. (6) Establishment of rapport with all other support providers like government departments, NGOs and UN agencies (7) Prepare a list of the worst sufferers and their urgent requirements (8) Ensure transparency and community involvement in the whole operation.

Preparation for Relief Operation

1. Assess needs of the local; community in terms of drinking water packet, food grains, dry food, medicines, torches, lanterns, kerosene, solar stoves, firewood, bleaching power, blankets, sheets, clothes and money required for urgent needs.

2. Identify storage and distribution points for the relief material.

3. Materials for temporary shelters like bamboos, ropes, plastic ropes, tarpaulins, mats, asbestos sheets and other essential things should be arranged.

4. Store fodder and medicines.

5. Help in arranging essential things at the family level.

6. Every identified shelter house should be kept ready with adequate stocks.

7. Identify persons and press them into service to transact with govt/non-govt. agencies.

8. Identify prominent helpful people in the

Government and non-government structure who can be depended upon for further support during need.

9. Receive relief materials on behalf of the community and make and maintain an inventory.

10. Keeping the local needs and availability arrange for transportation of relief materials on the basis of priority to the most vulnerable people.

11. While collecting the relief materials proper attention should be given to the needs of the OPs. They may require medicines, blankets, walking sticks, balanced diet and drinking water.

At the time of Disaster

1. Shift the materials from store houses to the shelter houses.

2. Keep a regular watch on stock and store and replenish the finished items.

3. Ensure safety of persons involved in relief distribution.

After the Disaster

1. Proper distribution of relief materials.

2. Decide on time, place and duration of distribution and inform the community beforehand to avoid confusion. Change volunteers from time to time avoid monopoly or misdistribution.

3. Choose most credible persons for the purpose of distribution. OPs are highly recommended for this job as they know the community very well and have no vested interest.

4. Receive, keep stock, mobilise and search for alternatives regarding supply of relief materials.

Relief Distribution5. Relief material that cannot be used by the

community ( excess supply or irrelevant) should be disposed off in a befitting manner so that those who may require that material can use it.

6. List of requirements for the next at least three to five days should be made and material procured. Try to avoid over supply or under supply of particular items.

7. Make specific arrangement for balanced diet and drinking water for the OPs and other vulnerable groups. Many a times the food items distributed during disasters in relief are neither palatable nor digestible for the OPs.

8. There is every chance for the older generation to suffer from asthma, cough and fever. If not given proper care, they may collapse. For this special medicines and after care should be arranged. They must get access to clean potable drinking water which may be kept ready using halogen tablets. In order to check dehydration O.R.S. packets and proper liquid supplement must given to them.

9. Immediate steps must be initiated to assess the loss and give supplementary materials for rebuilding the house. Perfect coordination must be kept with the Revenue Inspector and other revenue officials in this matter.

10. A list of all the affected persons and animals must be prepared and updated. Arrange for relief as per their needs.

11. Separate list is to be made for lost essential households' items accordingly steps to be initiated for their immediate supply.

12. A monitoring committee shall be constituted to supervise all relief activities and suggest corrective measures to be initiated.

13. Prepare a list of damage of public infrastructure to supply and coordinate with government agencies for repair and rebuilding, mobilize community support for these activities.

14. Take spot decisions on shifting of OPs and other vulnerable groups.

15. The elderly suffering from trauma should be identified and dealt with separately.

16. Food-for-work activities should be planned for the OPs separately. They should not be asked to take up arduous physical activities. They can be involved in preparing list, managing, guarding, writing letters, counselling, store keeping etc.

17. OPs must be given sustained relief over a longer time period.

18. Plan separately to meet the requirements of the OPs.

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Impact of the Earthquake

India suffered a devastating earthquake on

January 26, 2001. The loss of life and nearly all of

the destruction of physical assets took place in

western and central Gujarat, where around 20

million people lived and worked. The death toll

stood at over 20,000, and about 167,000 people

were injured. Nearly one million homes were

damaged or destroyed. Small enterprises

especially single family artisans, shopkeepers and

rural industries were also affected. Health and

education infrastructure was severely damaged,

with two district hospitals destroyed, and over

1,200 health clinics (mostly in rural areas), and

over 11,600 schools destroyed or damaged. There

was similar destruction of both rural and urban

water supply schemes. Over 240 earthen dams for

small reservoirs providing water for irrigation, rural

and urban domestic needs, and industry were also

damaged. Other infrastructure services like

electricity and telecommunications were

extensively damaged.

Although Gujarat is relatively richer and has grown

faster than other Indian states, but, the area most

severely affected by the earthquake is poor. It

includes the district of Kutch (where over 90

percent of the deaths and 85 percent of asset

losses occurred) and the districts of Jamnagar,

Rajkot, and Surendranagar. It is a sparsely

populated, resource poor, arid region, vulnerable

not only to earthquakes but also to cyclones and

drought.

The earthquake struck in the wake of two

consecutive years of drought in 1999 and 2000.

The main sources of employment are agriculture,

animal husbandry, salt mining and refining,

handicrafts, and trade. Kutch accounts for less

than 2% of industrial employment in the state and

there is little large-scale industry. Agriculture is

largely rain-fed and there are few perennial crops.

The agriculture and dairy sectors are extensive,

with little mechanization and thus low levels of

capital intensity. Although, some households

benefit from transfers from relatives working in

Mumbai and abroad, poverty is higher and social

indicators worse in the earthquake-affected areas

than in the rest of the state.

Kutch has the largest proportion of scheduled

caste people in Gujarat, 12%, compared with 7% in

Gujarat as a whole.

The economic impact of the earthquake includes:

(a) asset losses (direct damage); (b) output losses

(indirect damage); and (c) fiscal costs (secondary

effects). Destruction of private assets in the

affected districts has been massive. Of the

estimated Rs.9,900 crore ($2.1 billion) total asset

losses, Rs.7,400 crore ($1.6 billion) were private

assets. The areas where it struck, the earthquake

devastated lives, social infrastructure, and

economic foundations. Loss of output due to the

earthquake was estimated to be small, ranging

between Rs.2,300 to Rs.3,000 crore ($491 to $655

million), or 2% to 3% of Gujarat's 1999-00 gross

state domestic product in aggregate over three

years. This was due to the fact that the area most

affected by the earthquake had not been a major

contributor to overall state output.

The social fabric of the earthquake-hit areas was

devastated by the large number of human deaths

and injuries. In addition to the immediate suffering

caused, an equally large number of families were

affected by the death or serious disability of a

member. This will have long-term consequences

on the well-being of other members, particularly

widows, single parent children, orphans, and the

older persons.

Other social impacts of the earthquake include

deep insecurity among those who have lost

Community Based Disaster Preparedness Manual HelpAge India

assets, including property, and increased

vulnerability among poor, disruption of livelihoods

due to loss of productive assets, workplace,

financial services, markets, and distribution

channels. About 19,000 handicraft artisans in the

district of Kutch were the most severely affected

group. In addition, several thousand salt farmers

were faced with the collapse of their brine wells,

destruction of salt fields, and damage to their

refineries. Another important source of livelihood

in Kutch was cattle and about 20,000 cattle deaths

were reported.

Overview of Sectoral Losses

The heaviest damages resulting from the

earthquake occurred to housing and to social

infrastructure. This underscores the huge social

impacts of the disaster. Housing is the sector most

seriously affected by the January 26 earthquake.

An estimated 400,000 dwelling units collapsed,

and about 800,000 were partially damaged. Asset

losses to housing amount to a total of about Rs.

5,200 crores ($1,111 million) including the

estimated value of household goods, while the

cost of reconstruction, repair and strengthening to

improved seismic and cyclone standards would

require over Rs.5,100 crore ($1.1 billion).

Reconstruction costs exclude the replacement of

household goods.

Additional impacts include high social costs of

homelessness, underscored by psychological

trauma, poor health, fear of occupying damaged

houses, and loss of earnings for those families

whose home also doubled as a place of work. Loss

of property related documents also presents an

immediate problem for the victims, as

documenting proof of home-ownership for

compensation and reconstruction purposes may

be difficult for many. Additionally, the collapse of

many high-rise buildings precipitated, at least in

the short run, a sudden drop in the demand for

multi-story apartment units and the prices of such

properties.

In view of these staggering losses in a single,

socially highly sensitive sector, it is important to

look at the underlying causes for the huge number

of collapsed and damaged buildings in this

earthquake. The main problems are associated

with the quality of building materials used,

predominant building techniques which were not

sufficiently resistant to seismic forces, and the

institutional processes of applications and

approvals for building permits, enforcement of

building codes, and construction supervision.

Traditional, non-engineered, structures in the zone

of impact-both in the rural and in the urban areas-

are old, inadequately maintained, and feature a

wide range of disparate construction materials.

They are frequently combined in the same

structures, which by and large were built over a

long period of time. Pucca wall bearing structures,

built of local, “soft” stone with slippery surfaces,

and inadequately bonded (usually with only mud

mortar), proved to be lethal when exposed to the

lateral loads of an earthquake. Brick structures

also performed poorly, mainly due to low quality

brick and mortar, and the lack of necessary bracing

of house walls to keep the walls together. Sloping

roofs built with very sparse use of expensive and

not readily available wood, were too light to

support the weight of heavy ceramic roof tiles. In

many instances, due to lack of bracing outer walls

fell out letting the roofs cave in, and killing the

residents within.

Similarly, Kutcha houses (constructed of mud brick

and mud mortar, with bamboo and thatch roofs),

performed very poorly. More recently engineered

multi-apartment buildings also showed significant

areas of weakness. Particularly vulnerable were

reinforced concrete buildings with masonry in fill

walls, which collapsed in many cities and towns,

most notably in Ahmedabad, Anjar, and Bhuj.

Unauthorized construction of additional floors and

heavy roof gardens to four or five story high

buildings, contributed to the collapses of many

such buildings, especially those of the so called

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Disasters in Gujarat: An OverviewAnnexure–1

“soft story” type (with slender columns on the

ground floor allowing for car parking). The fast

construction process in recent years, with

relatively little building code enforcement,

combined with poor construction materials, led to

tragic consequences.

Health

The earthquake has left behind a trail of death and

disintegration of families, thousands seriously

injured and handicapped, both physically and

psychologically, and a severely damaged health

infrastructure. The number of confirmed human

deaths was over 20,000 (of which over 17,000

have been reported from Kutch alone), and the

number of persons injured was close to 167,000.

Injuries included orthopaedic and head injuries,

tissue losses, abdominal and thoracic trauma, and

amputations. A large proportion of these patients

were likely to be left permanently disabled,

requiring rehabilitation and care in the future.

There has been extensive damage to health

infrastructure causing disruption in the provision of

routine curative and preventative care, while at the

same time the sector had been called upon to

provide emergency curative (particularly surgery

and orthopaedics) and preventative care much

beyond its capacity. District hospitals, community

health centres, primary health centres (PHCs),

subcenters, Anganwadi centres, six integrated

child development services scheme (ICDS) go-

downs, chief district project officer (CDPO) offices,

dispensaries, c dispensaries were badly damaged

or destroyed. In addition, nearly all types of

facilities at different levels of health care suffered

major and minor damages.

Dam Safety and Irrigation

In Kutch, 21 earthen dams were severely affected

requiring complete reconstruction, while 164

earthen dams required major or moderate repairs

and strengthening. More recently constructed

dams, and dams for major schemes have not been

affected. The damaged dams had to be repaired

urgently as they were unsafe for impounding water

and also because these could be used for water

supply to the local population.

Rural Water Supply

Drinking water systems was affected in 1,340

villages in five districts (Banaskatha, Jamnagar,

Kutch, Rajkot, and Surendranagar), of which some

1,100 village systems suffered severe damages.

Systems in Banaskatha and Surendranagar

suffered minor damages, while the damage in the

other districts was much more severe.

Water supply in Kutch is largely groundwater

based with only the Tappar and Shivlakha dams

providing surface water sources. Affected areas in

Rajkot and Jamnagar receive water supply mainly

from surface water (the Machhu II dam) and from a

few ground water schemes. Both the surface water

schemes (dams, pumping stations, pipelines,

water treatment plants) and all the ground water

based schemes (121 regional schemes covering

693 villages, and 191 individual schemes) were

affected in varying degrees. Reinforced Cement

Concrete (RCC) underground tanks and overhead

tanks, which were designed for seismic zone V,

have largely withstood the earthquake's impact

whereas the masonry structures (pump houses,

staff quarters and village-level small tanks) have

nearly all collapsed.

The water supply service to the village

communities and bulk supplies to town residents

as well as a sizable number of industries

substantially deteriorated in terms of quantity,

quality, and reliability. This has a number of effects.

For example, the loss of in-house water receiving

and storage facilities required people to wait for

long periods of time for the delivery and collection

of water by tanker to their homes or relief camps.

Since the responsibility for water collection

typically falls on women, this affected them mainly

by reducing the amount of time they could spend

on productive activities. In addition, environmental

sanitation deteriorated and health and hygiene

suffered.

Community Based Disaster Preparedness Manual HelpAge India

Municipal and Environmental

Infrastructure

Five municipal corporations and 57 municipal

towns were affected by the earthquake.

Consequently, the urban and environmental

infrastructure components like water supply,

sewerage, sanitation, solid waste management,

municipal roads, municipal dispensaries, street

lighting, municipal administrative buildings and

other municipally owned buildings suffered.

The damage to the water systems was extensive,

followed by damage caused to the sewerage

systems, municipal roads and buildings, street

lighting, and sanitation.

Power

The power system in the Kutch region comprises

the Kutch Lignite Thermal Power Station and the

transmission system at 220kV, 132kV, and 66kV,

with the associated distribution system. Most of the

consumers in the region are from the agricultural

sector. The earthquake caused extensive damage

to the power system facilities in Kutch and nearby

districts of Banaskantha, Jamnagar, Rajkot, and

Surendranagar. The diesel generator and building

in Bhuj were also damaged.

Telecommunications

The earthquake inflicted extensive damage to the

telecommunication system. About 80,000 lines

were down due to the collapse of the telephone

exchange bu i ld ings . The co l lapse o f

telecommunications capacities seriously affected

the relief measures as no information was

available about the intensity of the earthquake,

precise locations affected, and the extent of

damage.

Agriculture and Livestock

Agriculture contributes only 20 percent to the

overall state economy and of this only a small

share is estimated to be produced in the areas

most affected by the earthquake (CMIE, 2001).

The sector still provides employment to nearly 50

percent of Gujarat's population. Agriculture has

been severely hit by two consecutive years of

severe drought, which have led to a contraction in

output of nearly 13 percent in 1997/98 and 2

percent in 1998/99. The areas most severely

affected by the earthquake were also those worst

affected by the drought.

According to estimates of the state government,

total asset losses were estimated at Rs.544 crore

($117 million). Preliminary losses of assets to the

private sector in agriculture and livestock were

estimated at Rs.512 crore ($110 million), nearly 80

percent of which was in the Kutch district. While not

very large in value, the loss of these agricultural

assets and inputs had drawn down the assets of

already poor groups of the population.

Major asset losses were concentrated in irrigation

assets, such as bore wells, pump houses,

submersible pumps and water storage tanks, as

well as storage bins, farm implements, livestock,

plant protection equipment, and stored outputs

and inputs. Output losses due to the earthquake

were estimated to be about Rs. 228($49 million).

These losses were expected to result from delay in

picking the standing crops of cotton and castor,

lack of irrigation at a critical stage, and lack of farm

storage facilities.

Industry

Industrial damages from the earthquake were

concentrated almost entirely in Bhavnagar,

Jamnagar, Kutch, Rajkot, and Surendranagar

districts which together comprise less than a

quarter of Gujarat's industrial capacity. The impact

on the earnings in Kutch was considerable,

particularly for workers in the salt and handicrafts

sectors, which were badly damaged.

Social /Community Dimension

Insecurity stemmed from the repeated tremors in

the region and the continuing drought. In spite of all

their problems, however, the Kutch community

resisted putting orphaned children up for adoption.

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Community Based Disaster Preparedness Manual HelpAge India

This demonstrated an expression of community

solidarity and mutual support in a time of need, and

was an indication of the will and ability of the

communities to organize and rebuild their lives.

Another serious consequence of the disaster was

an almost complete lack of services in the worst-hit

villages and urban areas, including education,

health, water supply, electricity, solid waste

disposal, and agricultural extension.

Environmental Impacts

Due to previous cyclones, drought, and previous

flooding the earthquake hit the region during a time

of extreme environmental vulnerability. In addition

to damage to dwellings, infrastructure and

facilities, the earthquake resulted in a number of

environmental impacts. The earthquake also had

an indirect environmental impacts associated with

debris disposal, temporary shelter set-up and the

reconstruction efforts. A number of indirect

environmental impacts were also anticipated.

The more significant indirect impacts included: (a)

poorer sanitation and waste management

practices; (b) increase in industrial pollution due to

reconstruction activities requiring millions of tons

of construction materials, and (c) changes in land

use due to need for rubble disposal sites and

potential relocation of villages.

Section II

Economic and Social Structure of the Earthquake Affected Area

The area most directly affected by the earthquake is vast. It includes the Kutch district, where over 90 percent of the deaths and an estimated 85 percent of asset losses occurred, and the districts of Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, and Surendranagar [Centre for Monitoring the Indian Economy (CMIE), 2001]. Kutch itself is sparsely populated, with a population in 1991 of 1.2 million and an area of 45,652 square km, larger than either of the states of Haryana or Kerala. Only 31

percent of the population live in urban areas. Major urban centers of Kutch include Anjar (51,000), Bhuj (121,000), and Gandhidham (104,000).

The area is relatively poor in natural resources and, as detailed in the following sections, is highly vulnerable not only to earthquakes, but also to other hazards including both drought and cyclones. The main economic activities in the area are agriculture including livestock and rain-fed cultivation, industries including handicrafts, salt production and refining, and services, largely trade.

As far as industrial production is concerned, the earthquake damage was almost entirely limited to Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Kutch, Rajkot, and Surendranagar. These five districts include almost 75 percent of India's salt production, and a range of small-scale manufacturing sub-sectors including chemicals, textiles, ceramics, diamond cutting and polishing, and handicrafts. Across the sectors, these districts accounted for 23 percent of Gujarat's overall industrial employment. Kutch, where over half of the industrial damage took place, accounted for less than 2 percent. Across the five districts, 45 percent of industry is in rural areas. Even 42 percent of manufacturing is rural. Kutch has a very strong crafts tradition, with many thousands of women in rural villages engaged in embroidery, patchwork, vegetable dying, batik, and other cottage industries.

Climatically, the areas most severely affected by the earthquake are arid and semiarid. Agriculture is largely rain-fed (the gross irrigated area in Kutch as a percentage of gross cultivated area is 19 percent compared with 34 percent for Gujarat as a whole) and there are few perennial crops. The agriculture and dairy sectors are extensive (the average size of holding in Kutch is 5.1 ha compared with a Gujarat average of 2.9 ha), with little mechanization and thus low levels of capital intensity. The region has been severely affected by two consecutive years of drought, with production already depressed at the time of the earthquake.

With more than 20 percent of the country's trade being handled through the 40 large and small ports

located in Gujarat, transport and communication is the third biggest service sector employer in the affected region. Many of the workers in the port areas, especially in Kandla port, are migrant labourers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Besides earned income, remittances to households, both from family members working abroad and in other parts of India, are high. This is reflected in the low credit-deposit ratio: 10.9 in Kutch, versus 85.7 in Ahmedabad, for instance (CMIE, 2001). This serves as an important source of income and as a safety net for households in the earthquake affected area.

Poverty

The earthquake affected areas are among the poorest in the state. Reliable consumption-based measures of poverty incidence are available from the National Sample Survey. The bulk of the earthquake damage was in the “dry areas” region which comprises Kutch, Surendranagar, and Banaskantha. In 1993/94, the percentage of households below the poverty lines in these dry areas as a whole was 26 percent; higher than the Gujarat average. The earthquake-affected areas are also worse off than the rest of Gujarat in terms of social indicators. Literacy rates in Kutch are 53 percent overall, and 41 percent for femalesonly slightly above the India averages. Kutch has the largest proportion of scheduled caste people in Gujarat, 12 percent of the population of Kutch are scheduled castes, compared with 7 percent in Gujarat as a whole.

Gujarat appears to have fewer village-level organizations than some other parts of India. The earthquake affected areas, and Kutch in particular, do not have many of the producer (e.g., dairy) cooperatives for which the state is renowned, and sectoral associations and committees, such as water users' associations, forest management committees, and village education committees also appear to be less developed than in many other states. In addition, the Panchayati Raj structure is currently missing its most important layer, the village-level Gram Panchayats.

However, there are large numbers of community, religious or secular philanthropic organizations, and service or development oriented NGOs in the state.

Most urban and rural settlements contain a mix of communities, with the range of socioeconomic levels and average being determined largely by the quality of natural resources (primarily land) and the degree of development of infrastructure ("access"). Among the earthquake-affected areas in the state, Kutch is more remote, more poorly endowed, and hence poorer in the aggregate, although it is also home to a sizeable, wealthy business community that has social networks in other parts of the state, in Mumbai, and indeed in many parts of the world. This social capital has proved invaluable in the aftermath of the earthquake and will continue to be important in the reconstruction period. Even among poorer communi t ies, inc luding some nomadic pastoralists, for example, family and clan ties are reputed to be extensive and strong.

Environment, Natural Hazards and Vulnerability

The state of Gujarat can be divided into three broad regions based on geographical position and drainage characteristics: south Gujarat, north, and central Gujarat (mainland), and Kutch and Saurashtra. Most of the earthquake affected area is classified as seismic zone V (very high risk) or zone IV (high risk) (Table 2). The affected area is located in arid and semiarid agro-climatic zones where water resources are limited, even scarce. The state is exposed to hydrometeorological and geophysical hazards.

Given the region's geography and geology, extreme events arising from all four of the hazards are inevitable. As population, economic development and environmental stresses grow; annual negative impacts from one or more of these hazards may be expected due to the vulnerability of exposed people, dwellings, infrastructure and economic activities. The following overview describes the major hazards in Gujarat, their

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Community Based Disaster Preparedness Manual HelpAge India

causes, vulnerability and vulnerability-reduction factors.

Cyclones

In the past 25 years, severe cyclones affecting Gujarat killed nearly 3,000 people and over 350,000 livestock, and left over a million dwellings partially damaged or totally collapsed. The 1998 cyclone also damaged port facilities, ships, and power transmission infrastructure. Cyclone frequency is highest during October and November. Cyclone damage is caused by wind, heavy rains and associated flooding. In coastal areas, one of the most destructive aspects of cyclones are storm surgesocean water that is pushed and dragged onto the coast by low pressure and winds, generating storm surges with waves 5 to 10 meters high. Five to six cyclones form annually in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, not all of which affect Gujarat, but two to three of which may be severe.

Cyclone damage risks are generally higher closest to the coast. The vulnerability of structures can be reduced through cyclone resistant design measures such as roof straps, storm shutters, and other reinforcements. Loss of life can be reduced with evacuation planning, cyclone tracking and early warning alerts.

Drought

Seasonal rainfall amounts vary however, depending on the strength and persistence of the seasonal monsoon. The monsoon normally begins in June/July and ends in September/October, with little if any rainfall occurring during other months. In the past two years monsoon rainfall was near average for all of India but low in Gujarat (in 1999 it was 123 mm), contributing to a current drought emergency.

Drought affects agricultural production, water supplies, human health, and animal fodder, and can lead to human migration in search of water, food, and livelihood. Many drought-reduction measures are already in place in Gujarat, including drought codes that are reviewed annually, pre-

monsoon seasonal long-lead rainfall forecasts, surface water catchment dams, and water harvesting at the level of individual sub-catchments, farms, and households. Agriculture is a heavy sectoral water user in Gujarat, however, and water is being pumped from the aquifers at a rate far in excess of their recharge. Falling water tables put added stress on crops and water supplies.

Floods

Since 1953, floods have affected an average of over 300,000 hectares annually, with the heaviest flooding occurring in 1988, when some two million ha were flooded. Annual average damages include 37,000 houses damaged, 135 lives lost, and nearly two million people affected. Cattle losses average 13,000 annually. Damages caused by extreme events can be 10 times these averages.

Flooding is largely confined to the areas along large rivers such as the Mahi, Narmada, and Sabarmati. Flooding occurs seasonally in years when large quantities of rainfall enter a river basin. Disaster prevention largely depends on appropriate land use and timely warning and evacuation. Appropriate operational and flood management plans for basin management, and use of water harvesting techniques and water storages, including dams, can reduce flood risks. Houses can also be designed to withstand moderate flooding.

Earthquakes

Gujarat is located in the Himalayan collision zone where the Indo-Australian tectonic plate slides under the more northern Eurasian plate in a predominantly northern direction at a rate of one to two centimetres per year. The area worst affected by the current earthquake (Kutch district) is classified predominately as zone V in the Seismic Zoning Map of India, 1998. This is the highest risk zone and areas so classified are at very high damage risk. Ahmedabad lies in zone III (moderate damage risk). Zones III, IV, and V

correspond to VII, VIII, and IX (out of XII) on the Modified Mercalli (MM) intensity scale.

Vulnerability reduction measures include anti-seismic structural reinforcement measures and appropriate designs, restricting inappropriate land uses in micro-zones of highest risk, and preparedness measures.

Rescue Relief and Reconstruction

The Government of Gujarat, as well as a large number of nongovernmental organizations including philanthropic groups, development agencies and private businesses stepped in to provide food, medical services, clothes, blankets, utensils, basic supplies, and tents in the immediate aftermath of the quake and later provided support to rebuild houses and sources of livelihood.

The government mobilised medical personnel, engineers, paramilitary and police personnel, senior administrative officers, 11,000 employees from different departments along with technical equipments like excavators, bulldozers and trucks for debris removal and transporting relief supplies. The local administration's capacity for quick response is hampered by the fact that its infrastructure and people are directly affected by the disaster.

The relief effort is centrally coordinated by the Natural Disaster Management Control Room, which works closely with the concerned state government. The central Government has also set up a high-level Disaster Management Task Force to advise the Government on relief and reconstruction policy and activities.

In any disaster situation the local community is the best source of help for it is available on the spot at the moment. The neighbours can help extricate people and useful material from under the rubble, provide immediate first aid and help organise immediate relief.

The other organised efforts to deal with the dire s i t u a t i o n a f t e r t h e d i s a s t e r a r e t h e nongovernmental organization (NGO). The network in Gujarat, which quickly rallied to support community efforts. Several well known local and national NGOs such as the Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA) are active in the area and are helping people restore livelihoods and meet other needs. Kutch Navnirman Abhiyan (Abhiyan), a local NGO network, was nominated as the coordinator of NGO activities and has developed a plan for reconstruction based on “a fundamental belief in self-help….” The Abhiyan has set up 22 local subcenters in Kutch to coordinate information and assistance, with encouragement and formal endorsement from the Government.

Cooperation between international and national NGOs has also been extensive. The state Government has encouraged partnerships between international and local NGOs in order to leverage resources and better respond to disaster relief needs. Many of the international NGOs had existing relationships with Indian NGOs. The assessment team found that collaboration among these agencies was excellent during the relief phase.

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Community Based Disaster Preparedness Manual HelpAge India

HelpAge India's Intervention

In response to earthquake of January 2001, HelpAge India carried out extensive emergency relief and rehabilitation programme (R&R) in the earthquake affected areas of Gujarat state; reaching almost 12,500 older people and their families with support provided by HelpAge International, Help The Aged, DFID, DEC, European Union, Corporate sector and individuals.

Highlights of the R&R Programme

l Gujarat based MMU team started rescue services in the earthquake affected areas and four MMUs ,hitherto working in other parts of the country reached Kutch and provided Medical Services to the affected people of the district.

l 6 Health Camps were organized at various locations and 76,725 patients benefited from the medical aid.

l A team headed by the experts of Sayaji University, Baroda carried out immediate need assessment so that appropriate aid could be provided to the victims.

l Provided kits of dry food commodities comprising of 60 days food to 10,500 families of older persons which benefited 52,500 persons.

l With the help of six local organizations, HelpAge India provided tarpaulin sheets and articles of utility like stove, hurricane lantern, torch with cells, blankets, cotton bed-sheets, water tanks, etc. to 7500 older people seeking shelter soon after the earthquake.

l They were also provided with cooking and storage utensils.

l 4000 modified tents were distributed in three districts of the state.

l During the late relief phase 2375 families of older people were provided with income generation support to regenerate their

income source through various Income Generation Activities. This included handicraft, embroidery, agriculture, petty trades, carpentry, vegetables vending, goat rearing and milch cow in 7 blocks of three most affected districts Kutch, Rajkot, Surendranagar.

l 597 older persons were provided with additional support of goat rearing.

l HelpAge India with support of DEC, provided permanent houses to 2375 older persons who lost there houses.

l HelpAge India with the support from Pfizer India Ltd, supported Kutch Vikas Trust for rebuilding and upgrading its damaged Eye hospital.

l With the intention to prepare the community against any such disaster and sensitize the community regarding needs and role of the older people, 60 trainings sessions were organized to train village level volunteers and rescue kits were distributed to them.

l In the rehabilitation project supported by European Union 4001 destitute older people were identified and provided with various most feasible and sustainable income generation support.

l Under the Micro Finance project 1010 older women have come together in 71 Self Help Groups (SHGs). These SHGs provide opportunity to get easy finance to support or initiate income generation ventures, besides empowering them and making them aware of their rights.

l Under the comprehensive disaster preparedness initiative, HelpAge along with its partner agencies carried out a thorough vulnerability analysis with a special focus on older people by collecting relevant data from 150 vulnerable villages.

l 40 village level awareness camps on disaster preparedness with a special focus on the

needs and issues concerning older people were organised. The idea behind organizing such camps was to increase the general level of sensitivity towards issues concerning older persons and specifically to deal with disasters. The need for developing a Community Based Disaster Preparedness strategy focusing on the needs and possible role of older people in disaster management was emphasized during this progarmme.

l With an objective to develop a common understanding and awareness among Government and Non Government Organizations on Community Based Disaster Preparedness;three district level workshops were organised in Kutch, Surendranagar and Rajkot districts.

l At the state level, a Gujarat state level workshop on disaster preparedness involving all relevant stakeholders including government, especially Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA) was organized to influence the decision makers at the district level towards the needs of older persons during disaster so as to prepare relevant action plans.

Local industries donated equipment and personnel for the search and rescue operation. The state Government has also received a number of offers from private companies willing to “adopt” towns and villages for the reconstruction phase (local communities have expressed their preference for the term “partner with”).

International Community's Response

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) sent a five-member UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination team The UN

Disaster Management Team (UNDMT), boosted with staff from the United Nations Development

Programme (UNDP) Emergency Response Division, was also deployed immediately to coordinate the UN response. The team established an On-Site Operations Coordination Centre (OSOCC) within the District Collector's compound in Bhuj. The OSOCC includes a World Health Organization (WHO) Disease Surveillance desk to monitor outbreaks of illness.

The World Food Programme (WFP) initiated an emergency operation of more than Rs. 19 crore ($4 million) to provide relief food rations to 300,000 people for four months. All other UN organizations sent assessment teams to the affected area. For the rehabilitation and recovery phase, UNDP acted as the focal agency for the UN system.

A number of countries sent search and rescue (SAR) teams and equipment to assist the search and rescue operation. In addition, many countries provided cash and in-kind contributions on a bilateral basis, through NGOs, or the UN system. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) established a team in the town of Anjar and an emergency response unit hospital in Bhuj. The IFRC also issued an appeal for more than Rs. 70 crore ($15 million) to address the immediate needs of affected communities, including shelter, medical services and supplies, and water and sanitation equipment.

A number of donors and multilateral institutions have also pledged support to the longer-term recovery efforts. This joint assessment, conducted jointly by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in partnership with the governments of India and Gujarat, is a preliminary contribution to helping the development of a comprehensive recovery strategy.

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The Sphere Project's Humanitarian Charter of 2000 reflects the rights and duties enshrined in international law, and the principles which guide agencies' emergency response. The Project's Minimum Standards in Disaster Response seek to establish baseline requirements in the essential sectors of humanitarian assistance, such as sanitation, healthcare and shelter.

The 2004 revision of the Minimum Standards contains a number of important cross-cutting issues, including HIV/AIDS, children, disabled people, gender, protection and older people. Older people are now covered in any reference in Sphere to 'vulnerable groups'. Where specific issues affect older people, for example the preparation and consumption of food aid, then they are referred to explicitly. However, the level of detail in Sphere regarding older people is minimal, and their inclusion does not appear to have stimulated much new thinking within humanitarian agencies.

Common Standards:

Representation of all Groups: the participation of disaster-affected people in decision-making throughout the project cycle (assessment, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation) helps to ensure that programmes are equitable and effective.

Communication and Transparency: the sharing of information and knowledge among all those involved is fundamental to achieving a better understanding of the problem and to providing coordinated assistance.

Local Capacity: participation in the programme should reinforce people's sense of dignity and hope in times of crisis

Long-term Sustainability: A disaster response programme should support and/or complement existing services and local institutions in terms of

structure and design and be sustainable after the external assistance stops.

Initial Assessment

The assessment considers all technical sectors and the physical, social, economic, political and security environment: through consultation, the assessment takes into account the responses of the local and national authorities and other actors and agencies; identify local capacities and strategies to cope with the disaster of the affected population and the surrounding population; whenever feasible, collection of data are disaggregated by sex and by age; an analysis of the operating environment, including factors affecting the personal safety and security of the affected population and of humanitarian staff; assessment results are made available to other actors as well.

Response

Where people's lives are at risk as a result of disaster, programmes prioritise life-saving needs; designing and implementing programmes and projects to support and protect the affected population and to promote their livelihoods, ensure effective coordination and exchange of information among those affected by or involved in the disaster response

Targeting

Humanitarian assistance or services are provided equitably and impartially, based on the vulnerability and needs of individuals or groups affected by disaster

Monitoring

The effectiveness of the programme in responding to problems is identified and changes in the broader context are continually monitored, with a

view to improving the programme, or to phasing it out as required.

Evaluation

There is a systematic and impartial examination of humanitarian action, intended to draw lessons to improve practice and policy and to enhance accountability.

Aid Worker's Competencies and Responsibilities

Aid workers possess appropriate qualifications, attitudes and experience to plan and effectively implement appropriate programmes

Supervision Management and Support of Personnel

Aid workers receive supervision and support to ensure effective implementation of the humanitarian assistance programme.

Source:http://www.sphereproject.org/handbook/hdbkpdf/hdbk_c1.pdf

Specific Standards

Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion

Water and sanitation are critical determinants for survival in the initial stages of a disaster. People affected by disasters are generally much more susceptible to illness and death from disease, which are related to a large extent to inadequate sanitation, inadequate water supplies and poor hygiene.

For ensuring this standard: identify key hygiene risks of public health importance; representative and participatory inputs from all the users for design and use of the facilities; equitable access to all groups within the population to the resources or facilities needed to continue or achieve the hygiene practices; hygiene promotion messages and activities should address key behaviours and misconceptions and are targeted for all user groups. Representatives from these groups participate in planning, training, implementation, monitor ing and evaluat ion; users take responsibil i ty for the management and

maintenance of facilities as appropriate, and different groups contribute equitably.

Access and Water Quantity and Quality

All people have safe and equitable access to a sufficient quantity of water for drinking, cooking and personal and domestic hygiene. Public water points are sufficiently close to households to enable use of the minimum water requirement.

Ensure supply of average 15 litres per person per day for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene; the maximum distance from any household to the nearest water point should be 500 metres; queuing time at a water source should not be more than 15 minutes; water sources and systems should be maintained so that appropriate quantities of water are available consistently or on a regular basis; water should be palatable; ensure minimisation of post delivery contamination.

Excreta Disposal: Access to and Numbers of Toilets

People have adequate numbers of toilets, sufficiently close to their dwellings, to allow them rapid, safe and acceptable access at all times of the day and night.

A maximum of 20 people use each toilet; use of toilets is arranged by household(s) and/or segregated by sex; shared or public toilets should be cleaned and maintained in such a way that they are used by all intended users; toilets should not be more than 50 metres from dwellings.

Construction and Use of Toilets

Toilets are sited, designed, constructed and maintained in such a way as to be comfortable, hygienic and safe to use.

Vector Control : Individual and Family Protection

All disaster-affected people have the knowledge and the means to protect themselves from disease and nuisance vectors that are likely to represent a significant risk to health or well-being.

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Sphere Guidelines

physical access to operating markets, which have a regular supply of basic items, including food at affordable prices; minimise adverse effects of food security responses on local markets and market suppliers; increased information and local awareness of market prices and availability.

General Nutrition Support to All Groups

The nutritional needs of the population are met.

To ensure this: There is access to a range of foods staple (cereal or tuber), pulses (or animal products) and fat sources that meet nutritional requirements; access to vitamin A-, C- and iron-rich or fortified foods or appropriate supplements, iodised salt for the majority (>90%) of households, additional sources of niacin (e.g. pulses, nuts, dried fish) if the staple is maize or sorghum, additional sources of thiamine (e.g. pulses, nuts, eggs) if the staple is polished rice.

General Nutrition Support for 'At-risk' Groups

The nutritional and support needs of identified at-risk groups are met.

Infants under six months in exceptional cases, have access to an adequate amount of an appropriate breast milk substitute; children aged 6-24 months have access to nutritious, energy-dense complementary foods; pregnant and breastfeeding women have access to additional nutrients and support.

Older people can be particularly affected by disasters. Nutritional risk factors which reduce access to food and can increase nutrient requirements include disease and disability, psychosocial stress, cold and poverty. These factors can be exacerbated when normal support networks, either formal or informal, are disrupted. While the average planning figures for general rations take into account the nutritional requirements of older people, special attention should be paid to their nutritional and care needs. Specifically:

- older people should be able to easily access food sources (includingrelief food);

- foods should be easy to prepare and consume;

- foods should meet the additional protein and micronutrient requirements of older people.

Older people are often important care givers to other household members and may need specific support in fulfilling this function.

From the outset, clearly defined and agreed objectives and criteria for set-up and closure of the programme to be established. Coverage is >50% in rural areas, >70% in urban areas and >90% in a camp situation. More than 90% of the target population is within <1 day's return walk (including time for treatment) of the distribution centre for dry ration supplementary feeding programmes and no more than 1 hour's walk for on-site supplementary feeding programmes. The proportion of exits from targeted supplementary feeding programmes who have died is <3%, recovered is >75% and defaulted is <15%. Admission of individuals to be based on assessment against internationally accepted anthropometric criteria.

Targeted supplementary feeding programmes to be linked to any existing health structure and protocols are followed to identify health problems and refer accordingly. Supplementary feeding to bee based on the distribution of dry take-home rations unless there is a clear rationale for on-site feeding. Monitoring systems are in place.

Correction of Malnutrition: Severe Malnutrition

Severe malnutrition is addressed.

To ensure this: from the outset, clearly defined and agreed criteria for set-up and closure of the programme to be established; coverage is >50% in rural areas, >70% in urban areas and >90% in camp situations; the proportion of exits from therapeutic care who have died is <10%, recovered is >75% and defaulted is <15%.

Community Based Disaster Preparedness Manual HelpAge India

Solid Waste Management: Collection and Disposal

People have an environment that is acceptably uncontaminated by solid waste, including medical waste, and have the means to dispose of their domestic waste conveniently and effectively.

Drainage Works

People have an environment in which the health and other risks posed by water erosion and standing water, including stormwater, floodwater, domestic wastewater and wastewater from medical facilities, are minimised.

Source:http://www.sphereproject.org/handbook/hdbkpdf/hdbk_c2.pdf

Food Security, Nutrition and Food Aid

Access to food and the maintenance of adequate nutritional status are critical determinants of people's survival in a disaster. Malnutrition can be the most serious public health problem and may be a leading cause of death, whether directly or indirectly.

Assessment and analysis: Food Security

Where people are at risk of food insecurity, programme decisions are based on a demonstrated understanding of how they normally access food, the impact of the disaster on current and future food security, and hence the most appropriate response.

Assessments and analyses to examine food security in relevant geographic locations and livelihood groupings, distinguishing between seasons, and over time, to identify and prioritise needs.

Assessment and Analysis : Nutrition

Where people are at risk of malnutrition, programme decisions are based on a demonstrated understanding of the causes, type, degree and extent of malnutrition, and the most appropriate response.

To ensure this: analyse and report information on

the underlying causes of malnutrition (food, health and care) highlighting the nature and severity of the problem(s) and those groups with the greatest nutritional and support needs; seek opinion of the community and other local stakeholders on the causes of malnutrition; anthropometric surveys based on national and international guidelines; determine micro-nutrient deficiencies; respond accordingly based on an approach that complement local capacities in a coordinated manner

Food Security: General Food Security

People have access to adequate and appropriate food and non-food items in a manner that ensures their survival, prevents erosion of assets and upholds their dignity.

To ensure this: where people's lives are at risk through lack of food, responses prioritise meeting their immediate food needs; measures to support, protect and promote food security; responses to be based on sound analysis, in consultation with the disaster-affected community; develop and publicise transition and exit strategies for all food security responses; all groups to have access to appropriate support, including necessary knowledge, skills and services in case of development of new or alternative livelihood strategies; food security responses to have the least possible degrading effect on the environment; monitor the numbers of beneficiaries to determine the level of acceptance and access by different groups in the population and to ensure overall coverage of the affected population without discrimination; monitor the effects of responses on the local economy, social networks, livelihoods and the environment are monitored, in addition to ongoing monitoring linked to programme objectives.

Food Security: Access to Markets

People's safe access to market goods and services as producers, consumers and traders is protected and promoted.

Producers and consumers to have economic and

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Correction of Malnutrition: Micronutrient Malnutrition

Micronutrient deficiencies are addressed.

To ensure this: all clinical cases of deficiency diseases to be treated according to WHO micronutrient supplementation protocols; procedures to be established to respond efficiently to micronutrient deficiencies to which the population may be at risk; health staff are trained in how to identify and treat micronutrient deficiencies to which the population is most at risk.

Rations for General Distribution

Rations for general food distributions are designed to bridge the gap between the affected population's requirements and their own food resources.

To ensure this: rations for general distribution to be designed on the basis of the standard initial planning requirements for energy, protein, fat and micronutrients, adjusted as necessary to the local situation; the ration distributed reduces or eliminates the need for disaster-affected people to adopt damaging coping strategies; when relevant, the economic transfer value of the ration is calculated and is appropriate to the local situation.

Food Aid Planning: Appropriateness and Acceptability

The food items provided are appropriate and acceptable to recipients and can be used efficiently at the household level.

To ensure this: consult people during assessment or programme design on the acceptability, familiarity and appropriateness of food items, and results are factored into programme decisions on the choice of commodities;_ When an unfamiliar food is distributed, instructions on its preparation in a locally palatable manner, with minimum nutrient loss, to be provided to women and other people who prepare food, preferably in the local language; people's ability to access cooking fuel and water, and the duration of cooking times and

requirements for soaking, are considered when selecting commodities for distribution; when a whole grain cereal is distributed, recipients either should have the means to mill or process it in a traditional home-based manner or have access to adequate milling/processing facilities reasonably close to their dwellings.

Food Aid Planning: Food Quality and Safety

Food distributed is of appropriate quality and is fit for human consumption.

To ensure this: food commodities should conform to national (recipient country) and other internationally accepted standards; all imported packaged food has a minimum six-month shelf life on arrival in the country and is distributed before the expiry date or well within the 'best before' period; there are no verifiable complaints about the quality of food distributed; food packaging is sturdy, convenient for handling, storage and distribution, and is not a hazard for the environment.

Food Aid Management Standard: Food Handling

Food is stored, prepared and consumed in a safe and appropriate manner at both household and community levels.

To ensure this: there should be no adverse health effects resulting from inappropriate food handling or preparation at any distribution site; recipients of food aid to be informed about and understand the importance of food hygiene; there are no complaints concerning difficulties in storing, preparing, cooking or consuming the food distributed; every household to have access to appropriate cooking utensils, fuel and hygiene materials; individuals who cannot prepare food or cannot feed themselves should have access to a carer who prepares appropriate food in a timely manner and administers feeding where necessary; where food is distributed in cooked form, staff should have received training in safe

storage, handling of commodities and the preparation of food and understand the potential health hazards caused by improper practices.

Food Aid Management: Supply Chain Management

Food aid resources (commodities and support funds) are well managed, using transparent and responsive systems.

To ensure this: food aid resources should reach the intended beneficiaries; an assessment to be made of local supply chain management (SCM) capabilities and logistics infrastructure and a co-ordinated, efficient SCM system to be established, using local capacity where feasible; the assessment should consider the availability of locally sourced food commodities; the award of contracts for SCM services should be transparent, fair and Open; staff at all levels of the SCM system should be adequately trained and observe procedures relating to food quality and safety; appropriate inventory accounting, reporting and financial systems to be in place to ensure accountability at all levels of the SCM system; take steps to minimise losses, including through theft, and all losses are accounted for; the food pipeline to be monitored and maintained in such a way that any interruption to distribution is avoided; information on the performance of the supply chain to be provided to all stakeholders on a regular basis.

Food Aid Management: Distribution

The method of food distribution is responsive, transparent, equitable and appropriate to local conditions.

To ensure this: recipients of food aid to be identified and targeted on the basis of need, by means of an assessment carried out through consultation with stakeholders, including community groups; efficient and equitable distribution methods to be designed in consultation with local groups and partner organisations, and involve the various recipient groups; the point of distribution should be as close as possible to recipients' homes to ensure

easy access and safety; recipients to be informed well in advance of the quality and quantity of the food ration and the distribution plan; the performance and effectiveness of the food aid programme to be properly monitored and evaluated.

Older people

There is currently no agreed definition of malnutrition in older people and yet this group may be at risk of malnutrition in emergencies. WHO suggests that the BMI thresholds for adults may be appropriate for older people aged 60-69 years, but these are subject to the same problems as in younger adults. In addition, accuracy of measurement is problematic because of spinal curvature (stooping) and compression of the vertebrae. Arm span or demi-span can be used instead of height, but the multiplication factor to calculate height varies according to the population. MUAC may be a useful tool for measuring malnutrition in older people but research on appropriate cut-offs is currently still in progress.

Source:http://www.sphereproject.org/handbook/hdbkpdf/hdbk_c3.pdf

Minimum Standards in Shelter, Settlement and Non-Food Items

Shelter and Settlement : Strategic Planning

Existing shelter and settlement solutions are prioritised through the return or hosting of disaster-affected households, and the security, health, safety and well-being of the affected population are ensured.

To ensure this: affected households return to the site of their original dwellings where possible; affected households who cannot return to the site of their original dwellings settle independently within a host community or with host families where possible; affected households who cannot return to the site of their original dwellings or who cannot settle independently within a host

Shelter and Settlement: Physical Planning

Local physical planning practices are used where

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possible, enabling afe and secure access to and use of shelters and essential services and facilities, as well as ensuring appropriate privacy and separation between individual household shelters.

To ensure this: area or cluster planning by family, neighbourhood or village groups as appropriate supports existing social networks, contributes to security and enables self-management by the affected population; all members of the affected population have safe access to water, sanitary facilities, health care, solid waste disposal, graveyards and social facilities, including schools, places of worship, meeting points and recreational areas; temporary planned or self-settled camps to be based on a minimum surface area of 45m2 for each person; the surface topography is used or augmented to facilitate water drainage, and the ground conditions are suitable for excavating toilet pits where this is the primary sanitation system; there are roads and pathways to provide safe, secure and all-weather access to the individual dwellings and facilities; mass shelters should have openings to enable required access and emergency evacuation, and these openings are positioned so that access is well supervised and does not pose a security threat to the occupants; vector risks should be minimised.

Shelter and Settlement: Covered Living Space

People have sufficient covered space to provide dignified accommodation. Essential household activities can be satisfactorily undertaken, and livelihood support activities can be pursued as required.

To ensure this: the initial covered floor area per person should be at least 3.5m2; the covered area should enable safe separation and privacy between the sexes, between different age groups and between separate families within a given household as required; essential household activities can be carried out within the shelter; key l ive l ihood suppor t act iv i t ies could be accommodated;

Shelter and Settlement : Design

The design of the shelter is acceptable to the affected population and provides sufficient thermal comfort, fresh air and protection from the climate to ensure their dignity, health, safety and well-being.

To ensure this: the design of the shelter and the materials used should be familiar where possible and culturally and socially acceptable; the repair of existing damaged shelters or the upgrading of initial shelter solutions constructed by the disaster-affected population should be prioritised; alternative materials required to provide temporary shelter should be durable, practical and acceptable to the affected population; the type of construction, materials used and the sizing and positioning of openings provides optimal thermal comfort and ventilation; access to water supply sources and sanitation facilities, and the appropriate provision of rainwater harvesting, water storage, drainage and solid waste management, complement the construction of shelters; vector control measures to be incorporated into the design and materials are selected to minimise health hazards.

Shelter and Settlement: Environmental Impact

The adverse impact on the environment is minimised by the settling of the disaster-affected households, the material sourcing and construction techniques used.

To ensure this: the temporary or permanent settling of the affected population to consider the extent of the natural resources available; natural resources should be managed to meet the ongoing needs of the displaced and host populations; the production and supply of construction material and the building process minimises the long-term depletion of natural resources; trees and other vegetation to be retained where possible to increase water retention, minimise soil erosion and to provide shade; the locations of mass shelters or temporary planned camps are returned to their original

condition, unless agreed otherwise, once they are no longer needed for emergency shelter use ;

Non-food Items: Clothing and Bedding

The people affected by the disaster have sufficient clothing, blankets and bedding to ensure their dignity, safety and well-being.

To ensure this: women, girls, men and boys should have at least one full set of clothing in the correct size, appropriate to the culture, season and climate. Infants and children up to two years old also have a blanket of a minimum 100cmx70cm; people have access to a combination of blankets, bedding or sleeping mats to provide thermal comfort and to enable separate sleeping arrangements as required; those individuals most at risk have additional clothing and bedding to meet their needs; culturally appropriate burial cloth is available when needed.

Clothing, blankets and bedding materials meet the most personal human needs for shelter from the climate and the maintenance of health, privacy and dignity. Basic goods and supplies are required to enable families to meet personal hygiene needs, prepare and eat food, provide thermal comfort and build, maintain or repair shelters

Non-food Items: Personal Hygiene

Each disaster-affected household has access to sufficient soap and other items to ensure personal hygiene, health, dignity and well-being.

To ensure this: each person has access to: 250g of bathing soap per month; 200g of laundry soap per month; women and girls have sanitary materials for menstruation; infants and children up to two years old have 12 washable nappies or diapers where these are typically used; additional items essential for ensuring personal hygiene, dignity and well-being can be accessed.

Non-food Items: Cooking and Eating Utensils

Each disaster-affected household has access to cooking and eating utensils.

To ensure this: each household should have access to a large-sized cooking pot with handle and a pan to act as a lid; a medium-sized cooking pot with handle and lid; a basin for food preparation or serving; a kitchen knife; and two wooden serving spoons; two 10- to 20-litre water collection vessels with a lid or cap (20-litre jerry can with a screw cap or 10-litre bucket with lid), plus additional water or food storage vessels; each person should have access to a dished plate, a metal spoon and a mug or drinking vessel.

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Community Based Disaster Preparedness Manual

Hazard

An event, occurrence or condition that has the potential to cause harm to life and damage property and the environment.

Disaster

Serious disruption of the functioning of community life, causing widespread human, material or environmental losses, which exceed the ability of affected community to cope through its own resources.

Mitigation and Preparedness

Mitigation

Any action taken to minimize the extent of a disaster or potential disaster. Mitigation can take place before, during or after a disaster, but the term is most often used to refer to actions against potential disasters. Mitigation measures are both physical and structural (such as flood defences or strengthening buildings) and non-structural (such as training in disaster management, regulating land use and public education).

Preparedness

Specific measures taken before disasters strike, usually to forecast or warn against them, take precautions when they threaten and arrange for the appropriate response (such as organizing evacuation and stockpiling food supplies). Preparedness falls within the broader field of mitigation.

Simply put, preparedness means the condition of being ready to deal with a disaster event. It entails:

Developing an Action Plan for the Following Activities:

l The issuance of timely and effective early warnings

l Temporary removal of people and property from a threatened location

HelpAge India

l Suitable arrangements for living at the safe location (flood shelters or cyclone shelters)

l Stockpiling of emergency supplies

l Securing critical infrastructure

l Initiatives taken for effective emergency response during event (including advocacy to relevant institutions)

l Preparatory measures taken to ensure the return to normalcy.

Preparedness Planning Requires:

l Knowing hazards and risks in your region

l Knowing your beneficiaries, their physical, social and economic vulnerabilities & location

l Common and special ‘recovery’ needs (speed vs. relevance)

l Expected impediments in responding to elderly needs and strategy for mitigation

l Knowing your capacities and resources

l Identifying roles and responsibilities

l Identifying action.

Disaster Preparedness can include:

l Predicting hazards by identifying and mapping key threats

l Assessing the geographical distribution of areas vulnerable to seasonal threats

l Defining which groups and communities who are most at risk

l Assessing the strengths and coping mechanisms of vulnerable groups and their capacity to respond to local hazards

l Determining the other players in disaster preparedness and response and developing a network to support a comprehensive programme

l Assessing the capacity of communities to mitigate and respond to disaster threats

l I d e n t i f y i n g g a p s i n g o v e r n m e n t preparedness plans and advocating with policy makers to ensure that plans are developed to reduce the impact of disasters on vulnerable communities.

The team should address the following urgent needs of the affected population:

1. Appropriate measures to protect life and property from disaster

2. Create a knowledge base that will help individual, family and community to respond to the situation properly

3. Develop life saving skills so that response can be immediate

4. Learn skills to safeguard and protect from further injury/ damage

5. Build on the local coping mechanism to make it foolproof

6. Reduce the response time to the minimum and develop the first set of responders locally

7. Initiate post-disaster strategy to allow the community to regain normalcy in minimum possible time.

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Definitions