Preparedness & Response — Set 6

Correct Answer: B. Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 is the primary international framework that guides India's disaster management policies, providing seven global targets and four priorities for action including understanding disaster risk, strengthening governance, investing in resilience, and enhancing preparedness for effective response and recovery. India aligned its National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) 2016 with the Sendai Framework targets. India was actively involved in the negotiations for the Sendai Framework at the 3rd UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan in March 2015.

Correct Answer: B. The critical first 60 minutes during which rapid medical intervention can save lives

The 'Golden Hour' refers to the critical first 60 minutes following a traumatic injury or medical emergency during which rapid medical intervention can dramatically improve survival outcomes. In mass casualty incidents, the golden hour concept drives the urgency of triage, initial stabilisation, and rapid evacuation to definitive medical care. The '72-hour window' is the equivalent concept for earthquake rescue — the probability of extracting living survivors drops sharply after 72 hours, making rapid SAR deployment critical.

Correct Answer: B. Substantially reducing disaster mortality and economic losses globally by 2030

The Sendai Framework 2015–2030 has seven global targets, including substantially reducing global disaster mortality, the number of affected people, direct economic losses, and disaster damage to critical infrastructure by 2030. It also aims to substantially increase the number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies and to enhance international cooperation. India's National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) 2016 maps national priorities against each Sendai target and monitors progress.

Correct Answer: C. Policy formulation for disaster management

Policy formulation for disaster management is the function of NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority), not NDRF (National Disaster Response Force). NDRF's functions are operational — search and rescue, medical first response, CBRN response, and USAR operations. NDRF comprises 16 battalions drawn from paramilitary forces (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB) and is the world's largest dedicated disaster response force, deployed domestically and internationally.

Correct Answer: C. 16

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) currently has 16 battalions positioned strategically across India to provide rapid response to any disaster within their deployment zone. Each battalion comprises approximately 1,149 personnel trained in various specialised rescue skills including USAR, flood rescue, medical first response, and CBRN operations. NDRF battalions are drawn from six central armed police forces: BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, and NSG.

Correct Answer: B. Build Back Better (BBB)

Build Back Better (BBB) is the principle that post-disaster recovery should not merely restore pre-disaster conditions but should use the recovery opportunity to reduce future risk, improve infrastructure resilience, and strengthen community capacities. BBB was formally endorsed in the Sendai Framework and is a key pillar of India's recovery planning through the NDMP 2016. Practical BBB measures include upgrading building standards, relocating settlements from hazard-prone zones, and incorporating green infrastructure in reconstruction.

Correct Answer: B. Sendai Framework for DRR 2015–2030

The National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) 2016 is explicitly aligned with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, incorporating the Framework's four priority areas and seven global targets into India's national planning architecture. NDMP 2016 replaced the earlier National Disaster Management Policy 2009 and provides a comprehensive, all-hazard, multi-stakeholder framework for disaster risk management in India. The plan mandates all central ministries and departments to prepare Disaster Management Plans aligned with NDMP.

Correct Answer: B. A potentially damaging natural or man-made event or condition

A hazard is a potentially damaging physical event, phenomenon, or human activity that may cause loss of life, injuries, property damage, social disruption, or environmental degradation. Hazards are distinguished from disasters by the concept of exposure and vulnerability — a hazard becomes a disaster only when it exceeds the capacity of an exposed and vulnerable community to cope. The Sendai Framework defines hazard as 'a process, phenomenon or human activity that may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, social and economic disruption or environmental degradation.'

Correct Answer: B. The conditions that make people or assets susceptible to damage from hazards

Vulnerability refers to the conditions determined by physical, social, economic, and environmental factors that increase susceptibility of a community, individual, or system to the impacts of hazards. High-vulnerability conditions include poverty, substandard housing, lack of risk awareness, social marginalisation, and location in hazard-prone areas. Disaster risk is a product of hazard, exposure, and vulnerability — reducing any one of these factors reduces overall disaster risk.

Correct Answer: B. The ability of a system to absorb a disaster, adapt, and recover while maintaining essential functions

Disaster resilience is the ability of a system — a community, city, or nation — to absorb shocks, adapt to hazardous events, and recover quickly while maintaining or improving essential functions and structures. Building resilience involves reducing exposure and vulnerability, strengthening coping capacities, and establishing adaptive mechanisms. India's disaster management policy emphasises resilience building as the overarching goal — moving from a reactive response culture to a proactive risk reduction and resilience culture.