NDMA & NDRF Framework — Set 13

Correct Answer: C. Both Bhuj Earthquake 2001 and 2004 Tsunami

The Disaster Management Act 2005 was inspired by the lessons learned from both the Bhuj Earthquake of 2001 and the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. The Bhuj earthquake exposed the inadequacy of the disaster management framework, leading to the High Powered Committee on Disaster Management. The 2004 tsunami accelerated the legislative process resulting in the enactment of the DM Act in December 2005.

Correct Answer: B. Multi-sectoral assessment of disaster damage and recovery needs to guide response

A Joint Rapid Needs Assessment is a multi-sectoral evaluation conducted immediately after a disaster to determine the extent of damage and identify priority needs for response and early recovery. It covers housing, livelihoods, health, water and sanitation, education, and other sectors to provide a comprehensive picture of the situation. The assessment guides resource allocation, prioritization of response activities, and international assistance requests.

Correct Answer: B. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is the lead agency for coordinating health emergency response within the NDMA framework. It operates the Emergency Medical Relief (EMR) division which coordinates health sector response during disasters. The Health Ministry works closely with NDMA for health preparedness, including pre-positioning of medicines, deploying medical teams, and setting up field hospitals during major disasters.

Correct Answer: B. Through voluntary public-private partnerships for preparedness and response

NDMA coordinates with the private sector through voluntary public-private partnerships for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Private sector entities can contribute expertise, technology, resources, and financing for disaster management through CSR activities and formal partnerships with NDMA. The private sector's role in business continuity planning, critical infrastructure resilience, and supply chain management is also increasingly recognized in NDMA's framework.

Correct Answer: B. To test response plans, identify gaps, and improve coordination before actual disasters

Disaster preparedness drills under the NDMA mandate serve to test response plans, identify gaps, improve inter-agency coordination, and familiarize personnel with emergency procedures before actual disasters occur. NDMA requires regular mock drills at national, state, and district levels for various hazard types. These exercises help build institutional memory, improve response times, and identify equipment and training deficiencies.

Correct Answer: C. Man-made industrial accidents (post COVID-19 addition of pandemics)

Man-made industrial accidents are generally not covered under SDRF (State Disaster Response Fund) norms for financial assistance, as these are handled through different legal frameworks like the Public Liability Insurance Act. SDRF primarily covers natural disasters such as floods, droughts, earthquakes, cyclones, and landslides. However, the pandemic COVID-19 was added as a permissible category in SDRF norms as a special one-time measure.

Correct Answer: B. Reaching the 'last mile' with disaster warnings before impact

Warning Dissemination systems in India serve the critical function of reaching the 'last mile' — the most vulnerable communities — with timely disaster warnings before impact. Systems like the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP), Cell Broadcast, and community-level sirens and loudspeakers are used for rapid dissemination. The effectiveness of early warnings in saving lives depends critically on the last-mile reach to people who need to take protective action.

Correct Answer: C. When disasters require inter-ministry coordination at Cabinet Secretary level

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) is activated during major disasters that require coordination across multiple ministries at the Cabinet Secretary level. The NCMC meetings bring together secretaries from key ministries to review the situation, coordinate deployment of national resources, and make high-level decisions on disaster response. NCMC activation typically occurs for very large-scale disasters or those with complex multi-sectoral impacts.

Correct Answer: B. World Bank

The National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) was funded by the World Bank to reduce vulnerability of coastal communities in India to cyclones. The project focused on the most vulnerable states — Andhra Pradesh and Odisha in Phase I, and other coastal states in subsequent phases. Activities included construction of cyclone shelters, early warning systems, and coastal connectivity for evacuation.

Correct Answer: C. Section 18

Section 18 of the Disaster Management Act 2005 specifies the functions of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). These functions include laying down policies and plans for disaster management in the state, coordinating their enforcement, reviewing vulnerability assessment, recommending fund allocation, and reviewing developmental plans for integration of prevention and mitigation measures. The SDMA works under the overall supervision of NDMA.