Corporate Disaster Resource Network (CDRN), launched under the Auspices of the Corporate Task Force, National Disaster Management Authorit (NDMA), and an initiative of CSO Partners and Aidmatrix, held its Orissa State launch on 29thApril, 2009 in Orissa, India. The objective of the launch was to address the need for an information sharing mechanism to match needs in order to provide and supply Right Aid to Right people at the Right Time.
This interaction encouraged and empathized on the role of CDRN as a crucial link between the government, relief agencies and corporates for times of Disaster. Further this saw the participation of representatives from various Private companies and Non- Governmental Organization.
The focal point of discussion was that there is a need for an efficient system that provides right information to minimize loss and aftermath of disasters. Some of the key issues highlighted were :
Governor Scott MaCallum-, CEO Aidmatrix- began his speech by mentioning that Aidmatrix is a Non- profit technology organization making it easier to get the right products, right volunteers or cash where it is needed for disasters. Through these technologies needs can be shared with business and private sector. He further mentioned that government, private sector and relief agencies alone cannot provide help in the time of disaster but communities working together are best able to provide the required response. He mentioned that the community involvement is the best resilience for a disaster.
He thanked NDMA and OSDMA for having a great foresight and serving as an example for the rest of the world as how they are empowering the local communities. He mentioned that OSDMA has taken in the past aswell the leadership position and understands the modern tools for Disaster Management. It is not longer one agency, one business or one person that can provide relief but it requires collaboration of private sector working with government, working with relief agencies and with communities to be able to provide Right Aid to Right People. He also mentioned that Aidmatrix as a system used in thewhole of US and 64 countries in different forms but what is done in India is unique by collaborating with private sector. This collaboration will serve as a model which will be adopted by other countries.
Mr. Nikunja K. Sundaray, MD Orissa State Disaster Management, highlighted the evolution and role of Orissa State Disaster Authority (OSDMA) and highlighted that Orissa State Disaster Authority is one of the first authority of its kind in Asia and their unique selling point is the speed at which they are able to move and provide relief. Orissa is a leading state which can uniquely respond for Night Time Disaster response, which helps to start the relief process immediately and move the affected and injured people to hospitals which is required by the community at the time of disasters.
He further mentioned that Orissa Disaster Management Authority is self sufficient in Disaster Management, however there are certain things that need to be worked on:
Firstly, to organise network of Ambulances so that affected people can be moved to hospitals immediately.
Secondly, the need to develop Media and communication Managements Skills so that we are able to share experiences both with National and International Media. This suffering and learnings from their experiences can be highlighted.
He concluded by saying that he was certain that more and more industrial houses will come up as they have the all the equipment, products and expertise etc.
Prof Radhamohan, Ex RTI Commissioner, mentioned that disaster can take many forms like floods, earthquake, cyclone, super cyclone for which there is a lack of preparation. He added that corporate world have a very important role to play, since market economy is changing, money is concentrated more and more in the hands of the corporates. Thus they have a social responsibility to reduce the consequences and impact of disasters like drought, floods etc. He further mentioned that it is great that NDMA and Aidmatrix and CSO Partners have come together to mitigate the impact of disaster. He maintained that corporates have a much bigger and larger role to play in order to reduce the impact and consequences of disaster.
Dr Bhagban Prakash, highlighted that there is a diverse and very wide difference in the allocation of resources by corporate sector in different parts of the world. The kind of resources that were used in Katrina compared to the ones which came to Kosi are very different.
He highlighted that total cost of damage in 1950s was around 90 million dollars and today the total cost of damage is around three hundred billion dollars. In 1950s there were around fifty disasters in a year, whereas in year 2001- 07 we had seven hundred disasters both big and small. He also added that Corporate Disaster Resource Network, CDRN should take a decision on how much we should spend on knowledge creation, resource development management and on research. He highlighted that in India as well as world expenditure on research is extremely low and without a knowledge management and technological innovation system we will not be able to face disasters in our country.
He mentioned that 2 % of our GDP is spent in cost of disaster support, both manmade and natural, however we need to decide how much out of this should be spent in disaster prevention. This is one area which can be taken up by Corporate Disaster Resource Network (CDRN).
He invited corporate involvement in disaster management as it makes good economical sense for them aswell, since the economy in areas where industries and corporates are located become fragile if people migrate or are dislocated. So getting involve in such activity makes good economical sense for the private sector. He asked corporates to consider it as a profit exercise because if area is economically, socially, environmentally stable it will inturm help them.
Mr Jyoti Kumar Sinha, Honourable Member, National Disaster Management Authority, Chaired the Session and highlighted that it is crucial for corporates in getting involved in disaster management and response, its like a business continuity activity for them. He mentioned that Orissa is a pioneer in disaster response and management in India. They have very practical approach and are getting better and better every year. Disaster response and management involves number of activities from preparedness to mitigation to rehabilitation and the most important activity in disaster management is getting Right things to Right people at the Right time. This is one the major and core concept behind Corporate Disaster Resource Network ( CDRN).
He also highlighted that information is vital and useful as it brings direction and power to people and CDRN helps in delivering the right information thus enabling government, civil society to response better before, during and after the disaster.
He cited examples to show how lack of information can delay the relief process, like the recent Kosi floods where there was a need for water purification plants and these plants had to be operated on electricity which was not available in most districts; thus the lack of information created confusion and delayed the relief process. Mr. Sinha laid emphasis on how we need a mechanism in place which provides information which is just a click away with all necessary details regarding pricing, specifications etc.
He mentioned that government has started India Disaster Resource Network which has all the information regarding all the resources, products, services needed at the time of disaster which could be accessed by the states. Thus NDMA decided if we could create a similar database in the corporate world in the public domain this would be very useful for the time of disasters. He requested the businesses and other stakeholders to join hands with CDRN to deliver a better response in the time of need.
Concluding Mr Sinha, mentioned that CDRN is a network not owned by anybody but each individual and companies have an important role to play. It is not a governmental plan but a plan that belongs to corporates and relief agencies and will be run by the users. It is a product for the users and that's the spirit behind it. It is a great platform and corporates have to think of the means to run it.
Delegates registered for conference:
Jindal Stainless ltd - Rourkela Steel Plant - POSCO India- Lutheran World Service( India)- Speck Systems Ltd - A.K Sabal and Co. Chartered Accountant – BISWA - Concern Worldwide- UNDP – Udyama - sabal and co. - Civil Defence – CARE - The Financial G- OSDMA - The Pioneer – SAMBAD – VJSS - City Mangers Association Orissa - Vigyan'O' Paribesh Vikash Samiti - Orissa Forestry Sector Project – RCDC - Indian Institute of youth and development - PG Dept of Geography Utkal University – FIEO – CYSD - World Food Programme - A.K Sabat and Co. - DRUSHTI – PRAGATI,Puri - Centre for World solidarity-Orissa Resource Centre – Parivarttan – Pallishree - Centre for World solidarity-Orissa Resource Centre – SWATI,Pabura – OPDSC - WaterAid- BBSR – Swayamshree – PLAN- Gram-Utthan – MANI – SWARAJ - Holy Home – OFSDP – AMARJYOTI - Gania Unnayan Committee - DSRD-Digha Society for Social Research and Development - DEEP(Development of Educatuion and environment project) – VARASA - Sahadapur Shanti Jubak Sangha – SECURE – FREEDOM – ABLE – Udayan - HRDC,Human Resource Development Sector - Sewa Mahila Mandal – NABAPALLAV - Odisha Adivasi Pratisthan - SSS, Badabanki - Amruta Vision - Gramina Bikash Sangathan – SURYA - United Artists Association - J.P Foundation -PAHAD(Peoples organisation and Hilly area development)- Pragati Jubak Sungha(PJS)- WOSCA - KAS Foundation – CRS – APOWA - SSUD(Society for social unity and development)
The Statesman - Times of India - Kanak TV – OTV - ETV News - The New Indian Express- The Hindu – Indrailal- Orissa Bhaskar
No comments:
Post a Comment