Q. What is disaster resilience? How is it determined? Describe various elements of a resilience framework. Also mention the global targets of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030).

Model Answer:

Disaster resilience is the ability of a community or system to resist, absorb, adapt to, and rapidly recover from hazard impacts effectively (UNDRR).

1. Determinants of Disaster Resilience

• Social Capital: Community cohesion, hazard awareness, and demographic vulnerabilities (Odisha’s community-level cyclone preparedness).
• Economic Capacity: Availability of contingency funds, livelihood diversification, and insurance penetration.
• Institutional Governance: Effective regulatory enforcement, decentralization, and accountability (NDMA/SDMA frameworks).
• Physical Infrastructure: Structural robustness and adherence to building codes (CDRI guidelines for critical lifelines).
• Ecological Health: Preservation of natural environmental buffers (Mangroves mitigating coastal storm surges).

2. Elements of a Resilience Framework

• Risk Identification: Multi-hazard mapping, vulnerability profiling, and micro-zonation assessments.
• Risk Reduction: Implementing structural (embankments) and non-structural (land-use zoning) mitigation measures.
• Preparedness Readiness: Capacity building, stockpiling, and Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS).
• Financial Protection: Establishing risk transfer mechanisms, catastrophe bonds, and dedicated disaster response funds.
• Resilient Recovery: Ensuring post-disaster rehabilitation strictly adheres to the “Build Back Better” principle (Bhuj earthquake reconstruction).

3. Global Targets of Sendai Framework (2015–2030)

Key Reductions:

1. Mortality: Substantially reduce global disaster mortality per 100,000 population.
2. Affected People: Reduce the number of affected people globally.
3. Economic Loss: Reduce direct disaster economic loss in relation to global GDP.
4. Infrastructure Damage: Reduce damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services (health/education).

Key Increases:

5. DRR Strategies: Increase the number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies.
6. International Cooperation: Enhance cooperation/support to developing countries for implementation.
7. Early Warnings: Increase availability and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and risk assessments.

Mainstreaming resilience into overall developmental planning, championed by platforms like CDRI and NDMP 2019, is imperative for securing sustainable, disaster-proof economic growth.