Sphere India jointly with NIDM organises workshop to commemorate International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
Six Handbooks on Multi-Sector Coordination for Emergency Response released during a workshop organized to commemorate International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR Day). The event witnessed release of six handbooks on the topics including Shelter, Health, Food & Nutrition, Education, Protection, Water and Sanitation. Compiled after comprehensive research with the support of several agencies active in the field of disaster risk education, these handbooks are the operation manuals for the stakeholder coordination in times of various emergencies. The workshop was organized by Sphere India in collaboration with the NIDM.
The event witnessed who’s who of the industry deliberating over various issues concerning efficient disaster risk mitigation and management during any crisis like the Covid 19 pandemic. Speaking on the occasion Major General Manoj K Bindal, Executive Director, National Institute of Disaster Management, shared his views on the critical role of a flexible and participatory coordination mechanism for this purpose. Dr. Rajat Jain President, Doctors for You, Co-Lead Health Committee said for any disaster like situation, proper coordinated effort is required.
On the launch of the handbooks, Vikrant Mahajan, CEO Sphere India, said, “It’s a big step towards translating global goals at the national as well as local levels.” Prof. Santosh Kumar, NIDM stressed on community engagement at the inception of any program, especially in DRR to ensure that the needs of the community are met and its risks and vulnerabilities are mitigated. Lee Macqueen, Sr Program Manager, NCDHR; Prof Anil K Gupta, Head ECDRM, NIDM; Justin Jebakumar, Director of Government Relations, Habitat for Humanity India also spoke on the occassion. Dr Henna Hejazi, Sr Program Manager, Sphere India and Dr Sweta Baidya, Consultant, NIDM coordinated the event.
Prof Anil Kr. Gupta, Head ECDRM, NIDM, mentioned that the efforts for developing these handbooks started before the pandemic and that these handbooks are a culmination of almost two years of efforts by Sphere India and NIDM with over 20 consultative meetings and COVID-19 Academy webinars.
Lee Macqueen, Sr.Program Manager, NCDHR and Vice Chair Sphere India and Lead Protection Committee briefly explained about all aspects of the Handbooks with practical guidance and advice on how different stakeholders and sector actors like NGOs, CSOs, Government at all levels, UN agencies, and media can come together and strategise a collective response and preparedness during emergencies, prior to emergencies and post emergencies which are based on key humanitarian principles on needs, without discrimination.
Shruti Misra Co-Lead, DRR, HCL Foundation said there should be comprehensive Risk Management Technology for predicting the vulnerability loss bad risk assessment. She said we need to educate CSR and its Impact to masses and corporate houses. Justin Jebakunar, Director of Government Relations, Habitat for Humanity India, Lead Shelter Committee talked about the shelter sector which stays for too long in disaster cycle. He said we need to engage the community in the process.
