Maverick Musings #10

“All countries must respond and protect their people from the searing heat, fatal floods, storms, drought and raging fires.” - António Guterres

Welcome to the 10th chapter of Maverick Musings. Today, we deep dive into the topic of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).

With October 13th marked as the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, it’s imperative for us to grasp the profound significance of DRR in today's rapidly changing world.

Disasters are no longer just natural occurrences. They are deeply intertwined with the existing inequalities in our societies. The most vulnerable among us often bear the brunt of calamities, as unequal access to services and resources makes them easy targets. And when disasters strike, the aftermath magnifies the existing inequalities, pushing the most at-risk communities further into poverty.

To paint a clearer picture: most nations at the pinnacle of disaster risk are also those with the majority of their population living in poverty. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) aptly phrases it as the "brutal inequality of disasters". This year, the UNDRR emphasizes that we need to "fight inequality for a resilient future", the chosen theme for the 2023 observance.

But why the urgency? Why now?

The UNDRR's call to action is not just about addressing the immediate aftermath of disasters. It's about breaking the recurrent cycle of disaster and growing inequality. The global strategy underpinning these efforts is the Sendai Framework. An international accord, it aspires to prevent and reduce losses, whether in lives, livelihoods, or economies. Boasting seven global targets and 38 indicators, it measures our collective progress towards a world less susceptible to the devastating impacts of disasters. And not just standing alone, the Sendai Framework complements the Paris Agreement on climate change, intricately weaving both agendas to achieve the overarching Sustainable Development Goals.

In essence, the narrative of DRR is also about proactively building resilient communities that can withstand adversities, ensuring that the devastating cycle of disaster and inequality is broken once and for all.

For a world that's safer, more equal, and resilient, understanding and implementing DRR is not an option but a necessity.

Here’s a closer look at how DRR could be orchestrated in the Indian scenario, drawing insights from the state of Kerala, which often finds itself at the receiving end of nature’s fury:

• Community Engagement: Engage local communities in disaster preparedness and response initiatives.

• Early Warning Systems: Establish advanced early warning systems to provide timely alerts. A robust weather forecasting and monitoring network can be pivotal in ensuring readiness.

• Infrastructure Resilience: Invest in resilient infrastructure that can withstand the onslaught of natural calamities. For instance, constructing flood-resistant housing and enhancing drainage systems.

• Education and Awareness: Conduct awareness campaigns and educational programs to foster a culture of disaster understanding and readiness among the populace.

• Land use management Practices: Promote sustainable land use and environmental management practices to mitigate the risks associated with landslides and floods.

• Legislative Framework: Enact and enforce stringent building codes and land use policies, ensuring a holistic approach to DRR.

• Technology and Innovation: Leverage technology to improve disaster prediction, response, and recovery. For instance, harnessing GIS (Geographic Information Systems) for real-time monitoring and analysis.

• Transparency and Accountability: Regularly report and evaluate DRR measures to ensure effectiveness and continuous improvement.

• Financial Preparedness: Establish dedicated funds and insurance schemes to aid recovery and reconstruction efforts post-disaster.

Advancing Your Green Skillset

As an aspiring young learner eager to enhance your capabilities, it's crucial to acquire skills that align with the requirements of professional organizations in disaster risk reduction. Here's a list of skills that are both valuable and attainable through self-learning.

Skill 1: Community Engagement and Awareness Building

Educating and engaging the community is essential for fostering a culture of disaster resilience. This skill is about developing and delivering educational campaigns to raise awareness about disaster risks and promoting proactive measures.

Here’s how to get started:

Organise community meetings or workshops to share the hazard identification and risk assessment findings. Use simple and clear language to explain the risks and demonstrate proactive measures like creating family emergency plans or assembling emergency kits. Engage the community in disaster preparedness drills to practice evacuation routes and emergency procedures. This skill is instrumental in actively empowering the community to participate in disaster risk reduction efforts.

Skill 2: Emergency Response Planning

Creating a well-thought-out emergency response plan is crucial for minimising the impact of disasters when they occur. This skill involves developing, testing, and refining emergency procedures to ensure a coordinated and effective response during a crisis.

Here’s a step-by-step approach:

Form a committee with representatives from different community sectors to draft an emergency response plan. This plan should detail the roles and responsibilities, communication channels, and resources required during an emergency. Conduct regular drills to test and refine the plan, ensuring everyone knows what to do and who to contact during a disaster. Your mastery of emergency response planning can significantly contribute to the community’s resilience and recovery capacity.

Skill 3: Resource Mobilization and Management

Effective resource mobilisation and management ensure that necessary supplies, equipment, and human power are available and well-coordinated during disaster response and recovery phases.

Here's how to hone this skill:

Identify potential resources within and outside the community, including local businesses, NGOs, and government agencies. Establish agreements and networks for mobilising these resources swiftly during a disaster. Develop an inventory management system to track resources, ensuring their optimal utilisation during emergency response and recovery efforts. Y

Seizing Opportunities

The Anant Fellowship for Climate Action offers a 9-month global program focusing on mentoring and equipping individuals to address climate change. It promotes cross-sectoral collaboration, ensuring diverse ideas and expertise are shared among its community of climate change pioneers.

Ideal Candidates:

Those actively involved in climate change mitigation or aspiring to utilise their skills for this cause.

Apply continuously for the 2024 cohort at?

https://anu.edu.in/programme/anant-fellowship/

Yale Fellowship?

The Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship is a six-month initiative to upskill 16 young climate and clean energy practitioners from the Global South. Hosted at Yale's International Leadership Center, it seeks to enhance technical skills, foster professional networks, and facilitate dialogue with global climate leaders.

The fellowship commences with a week-long orientation at Yale University from April 14-20, 2024.

Environment in News

• Study shows a link between domestic violence cases and the climate crisis in India. A recent study reveals a correlation between rising temperatures and increased intimate partner violence (IPV) in South Asian nations like India, Nepal, and Pakistan. With a one °C temperature rise, IPV incidents surged, notably in India, with physical violence rising by 8% and sexual violence by 7.3%. By 2090, IPV in India could escalate by 23.5% due to climate change. The study, analysing data from 2010-2018 across these countries, underlines the gendered climate crisis impact exacerbated in patriarchal societies. It advocates for a gender-informed approach in climate action to address these intertwined issues, underscoring the urgency to mitigate climate change and social injustices.
• Amid the escalating impacts of climate change and environmental degradation, disasters are intensifying, hitting women and girls hardest. Their inherent vulnerability, shaped by unequal access to resources and increased dependency on natural assets, exacerbates their challenges during disasters. Added to this, they are at a heightened risk of gender-based violence post-disaster. Yet, the untapped potential of women's leadership in bolstering collective resilience remains overshadowed. [Read more...]

Youth Initiatives

1. The Water Youth Network (WYN) is a global network of young people working on water and climate change issues. WYN's DRR work focuses on building the resilience of communities to water-related disasters, such as floods and droughts.
2. YouthMappers is a global network of students and volunteers who use open-source mapping to support humanitarian and development organizations. YouthMappers' DRR work focuses on mapping and assessing disaster risks, as well as developing and implementing mapping-based solutions to reduce disaster risk.
3. Sustera Foundation has been leading disaster risk reduction-based work along with various youth groups across India. Some of the major initiatives include community-led mangrove restoration efforts and providing disaster relief to communities in the wake of disasters. Email [email protected] to know more.

A few insights from our CEO

Let me introduce you to a young changemaker from Kerala. Fahad has been working as a Hazard Analyst at the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority. But Fahad isn't just a colleague; he's a close friend whose dedication to local-level climate #adaptation & #resilience building is nothing short of inspiring. Read more below!

Conclusion

In the eye of these mounting challenges, the role of the youth emerges as not just essential but transformative. The young generation, with their energy, innovation, and resilience, have always been at the forefront of change. When it comes to disaster risk reduction, their involvement is not only about the future they will inherit but about the present they are actively shaping. As more disasters loom , it is the youth who are championing adaptive strategies, harnessing technology, and driving community-centric solutions.

We don't just need to act; we need to act now and act together. Because, in the face of rising disasters, silence is a luxury we cannot afford.

Last week Sustera Foundation launched a book on "Top 15 Solutions for a Climate Resilient Kerala". Find the book link below. Do share among friends and colleagues.

See you again soon!

- SUSTERA Team