Question.
What is the role of government in Disaster Management? Will it be appropriate to train local citizens for this? Give reasons in support of your answer.
( UPPSC, UP PCS Mains General Studies-III/GS-3 2022)
Answer.
The government's role in disaster management includes prevention planning, preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery efforts. So, the role of government in disaster management is critical.
The following are Nodal Agencies for disaster management -
- Nuclear disaster; Department of Atomic energy
- Earthquakes and cyclones disaster; Indian metrological department.
- Floods disaster; Ministry of Water Resources, and Jal Shakti Mantryalaya.
- Fire disaster; Ministry of home affairs.
- Chemical disaster; Ministry of Environment of forests.
- Industrial disasters; Ministry of Labour.
The following are the roles of government in disaster management in detail -
Prevention planning; The government has the responsibility to develop disaster management plants in a specific region for a particular disaster. This includes identification of potential hazards, assessing risk, and developing strategies to mitigate the risk of disaster.
Preparedness; Government has the responsibility to ensure the necessary infrastructure and resources like shelters, medical facilities, and emergency supplies are in place and ready to use when needed.
Response; Government has the responsibility to provide an effective and coordinated response to disasters. It includes mobilizing emergency services like medical personnel, disaster rescue personnel, police, fire team, etc in providing support o affected communities.
Recovery; The government should provide support for the recovery and restructuring efforts after disasters. Recovery includes financial assistance, rebuilding infrastructure, and restoring essential services.
Government has the main role in disaster management, however, local citizens can also play an essential role as local citizen has many traditional and deep knowledge about disasters since they were dealing with such disasters when the government has not existed. However local citizens need to be trained with modern knowledge of disaster preparedness. So, local citizens need to train in disaster management as trained citizens can provide immediate assistance to those in need. Knowledge and skills of local citizens and the efforts of the government will strengthen overall disaster management.
Trained citizens can help in building a culture of preparedness and resilience in the community.
In conclusion, the government has the main role in disaster management but local citizens can also make a significant contribution. Local citizens can complement the efforts of government agencies.
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