ICT Approaches in Disaster Management: Public Awareness, Education and Training, Community Resilience in India

Introduction

We live in a world where there are potential sources of disasters with a potential to cause a loss all around us. We could be living close to a coastline that is prone to cyclones or mountainous region vulnerable to earthquakes. On the other hand we may be living close to an industry which could be dangerous or there may be communal tension prevailing in the area we live in (Arnold J.P, 2006). Whatever is the area we live in; we need to be aware of our vulnerability to hazardous events. Better awareness about various hazards, proper education, training and preparedness will enhance the community resilience. Information and communication technologies in the form of audio and video (community radio, village information centres, video awareness programmes through DVDs) play a vital role in creating public awareness, giving education and training to vulnerable communities. Before discussing the ICT initiatives taken in the coastal districts of India, it is important to have a clear understanding on the natural disaster profile of India.

An event or hazard is called a disaster when it threatens property and lives and is unforeseen and often sudden. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines a disaster as ‘A severe disruption, ecological and psychological, which greatly exceeds the coping capacity of the affected community’ (World Health Organization, 1992). It causes great damage, destruction and human suffering. A disaster is a very complex multi dimensional phenomenon and along many dimensions like social, economic, material, psychological or social, but unlikely to be one along all of these in a specific direction. Often the number of human lives lost is an important criterion for defining a disaster (Arnold J.P, 2006). Disaster is a sudden, calamitous event bringing great damage, loss, and destruction and devastation to life and property. The damage caused by disasters is immeasurable and varies with the geographical location, climate and the type of the earth surface/degree of vulnerability. This influences the mental, socio-economic, political and cultural state of the affected area. It may also be termed as “a serious disruption of the functioning of society, causing widespread human, material or environmental losses which exceed the ability of the affected society to cope using its own resources.” (UNDHA, 1992).

India’s increase in the vulnerability to disasters, in recent years has been serious threat to the overall development of the country. Around 57% of the land vulnerable is to earthquakes, 28% is vulnerable to droughts, 12% is vulnerable to floods and 8% of the land is vulnerable to cyclones. Subsequently, the development process itself has been a contributing factor to this susceptibility. Coupled with lack of information and communication channels, this had been a serious impediment in the path of progress. Figuratively speaking, around one million houses are damaged annually, compounded by human, economic, social and other losses (Anil K. Sinha, 2003).