Preparedness & Response — Set 8

Correct Answer: B. Sendai Framework 2015–2030

The Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) 2005–2015 was the international disaster risk reduction framework that preceded the Sendai Framework 2015–2030. HFA was adopted at the World Conference on Disaster Reduction in Kobe, Japan in 2005 and provided five priorities for disaster risk reduction over the 2005–2015 period. The Sendai Framework built upon and strengthened HFA, with more specific targets, clearer accountability, and broader stakeholder engagement.

Correct Answer: B. Preparedness

An evacuation plan is a critical component of disaster preparedness — developed before a disaster to ensure that when a disaster threatens, people can be rapidly and safely moved out of harm's way through pre-designated routes to pre-identified shelters. India's NDMA has issued guidelines for cyclone, flood, and earthquake evacuation planning for all vulnerable coastal and river-basin districts. Effective evacuation planning combined with early warning has been the key factor in reducing cyclone mortality in India from tens of thousands to hundreds.

Correct Answer: D. International diplomatic relations

A Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) covers the full range of disaster impacts including housing, infrastructure (roads, bridges, utilities), health and nutrition, education, livelihoods and agriculture, and social sectors — but does not cover international diplomatic relations, which is outside its scope. PDNAs provide the evidence base for recovery planning, budget allocation, and international aid mobilisation. The PDNA methodology was jointly developed by the EU, World Bank, and UN and is the global standard for post-disaster damage and needs quantification.

Correct Answer: C. Enforcing building codes and land use regulations

Non-structural mitigation measures are policy, legal, and institutional measures that reduce disaster risk without physical construction — including building code enforcement, land use zoning, insurance, environmental management, and public education. Enforcing building codes that require earthquake-resistant design is a key non-structural measure that reduces seismic vulnerability. Non-structural measures are often more cost-effective than structural measures and are central to India's National Disaster Mitigation Policy.

Correct Answer: C. Meeting the expenses for emergency response and relief in the event of a threatening disaster

The National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) is a statutory fund under the Disaster Management Act 2005 that provides financial resources for emergency response, relief, and rehabilitation when a disaster threatens or has occurred, and when it is beyond the coping capacity of a state's own SDRF. NDRF is maintained by the Central Government and can be released on recommendation of the Inter-Ministerial Central Team after damage assessment. It is distinct from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) which funds long-term mitigation projects.

Correct Answer: B. A function of hazard, exposure, and vulnerability

Disaster risk is a function of three interacting elements: Hazard (the natural or man-made threatening event), Exposure (people, assets, and systems in hazard-prone areas), and Vulnerability (the conditions that make exposed elements susceptible to damage). This relationship is often expressed as: Disaster Risk = Hazard × Exposure × Vulnerability ÷ Capacity. Disaster risk reduction focuses on reducing any one or all of these factors to lower the potential for disaster impacts.

Correct Answer: C. Floods (and general disaster response)

Aapda Mitra community volunteers are primarily trained for flood disaster response — the most frequent and widespread disaster in India — though the programme covers general disaster response skills applicable to multiple hazards. The programme targets flood-prone districts identified by NDMA, providing training in water rescue, first aid, and evacuation assistance. Flood response training is most relevant given that floods affect millions of people across India's Indo-Gangetic Plain, Brahmaputra Valley, and coastal areas every monsoon season.

Correct Answer: C. Ministry of Home Affairs

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The Director General of NDRF reports to MHA, which coordinates NDRF deployment during disasters in consultation with NDMA. MHA also oversees the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) from which NDRF battalions are drawn — BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, and NSG — ensuring close integration between NDRF and paramilitary capabilities.

Correct Answer: B. To provide timely information enabling people and organisations to take protective action

Early warning systems provide timely, accurate, and actionable warnings to enable at-risk populations and authorities to take protective actions — such as evacuation, sheltering, or pre-positioning resources — before a hazard strikes. An effective early warning system has four components: risk knowledge, monitoring and warning service, dissemination and communication, and response capability. India's investment in early warning for cyclones, floods, and tsunamis has dramatically reduced disaster mortality over the past two decades.

Correct Answer: B. The recommended number of subordinates one supervisor can effectively manage

Span of Control in ICS refers to the recommended number of subordinates (typically 3–7, ideally 5) that one supervisor can effectively oversee and manage during an emergency response. Exceeding optimal span of control leads to confusion, communication failures, and reduced effectiveness. ICS ensures optimal span of control by adding supervisory layers (Groups, Branches, Divisions) as an incident grows in complexity and the number of responding personnel increases.