Capacity building is a must to ensure effective and quality discharge of functions and bringing forth improvement in service delivery and is considered necessary for disaster resilience.
In the intricate dance of organizational efficiency, every employee plays a pivotal role. Michael Kremer‘s O-Ring Theory of Economic Development, though basically focusing on highly sophisticated manufacturing operations, finds resonance in the broader context of organizational dynamics.
As we explore this theory‘s application to disaster risk reduction and response operations, a spotlight on the importance of capacity building becomes essential.
The Finance Commission‘s Vision
The XV Finance Commission, attuned to the critical role of efficiency in disaster management, has allocated a significant 10 percent of the State Disaster Risk Management Fund (SDRMF) for Preparedness and Capacity Building. The Ministry of Home Affairs, in its guidelines issued on April 2022, has laid out a liberal framework, empowering State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) to invest not only in their staff but also in building a resilient community.
Current Landscape and Challenges
Despite the liberality of the guidelines, many SDMAs seem to have overlooked this provision, possibly repeating the fate of the Capacity Building Grant discontinued by the XIV Finance Commission. As we approach the end of the XV Finance Commission award period, there’s an urgent need to reassess our approach and maximize the potential of the Preparedness and Capacity Building component of the State Disaster Response Fund.
Strategic Imperatives for SDMAs
Establish Dedicated Institutions: While the Disaster Management Act, 2005, doesn’t mandate SDMAs to focus on training and capacity building, setting up dedicated institutions is a proactive step. States like Assam, Kerala and Gujarat, with dedicated institutions, showcase the positive impact of this approach.
Comprehensive Training Needs Assessment: Undertaking a detailed training needs assessment across all stakeholders, including line departments and the community, is imperative. This holistic understanding forms the foundation for targeted capacity-building efforts.
Identifying Key Areas and Stakeholders: With clear insights from the training needs assessment, SDMAs should identify key areas and stakeholders. Segregating stakeholders into uniform groups allows for tailored training programs.
Engaging Resource Persons: Identifying and engaging resource persons is crucial for creating a critical mass of trainers. Their involvement in deciding the duration and structure of training programs is key to success.
Training of Trainers Program: Implementing a centralized Training of Trainers program at the dedicated institution ensures uniformity and excellence. Drawing participants from across the state, selected for their training aptitude, contributes to the program’s effectiveness.
Decentralized Training Implementation: Taking the knowledge to the grassroots through decentralized training at district and sub-district levels ensures widespread impact. These local trainers, products of the central program, become change agents within their communities.
Continuous Evaluation and Improvement: Third-party evaluation should be an ongoing process. The success of training programs should be measured not just by participation but by the incorporation of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) components in departmental plans and policies.
Refresher Trainings and Mass Awareness: Regular refresher trainings maintain the efficacy of acquired skills. Simultaneously, the institution must actively engage in disaster management-related mass awareness, translating complex studies into accessible information for the public.
Roping in Brand Ambassadors: To amplify the message of disaster safety, the engagement of a brand ambassador, as seen in Uttarakhand with Amitabh Bachchan, is a commendable strategy. However, this association should extend beyond specific events for sustained impact.
Conclusion
Capacity building and mass awareness emerge as the linchpins of disaster resilience. By strategically utilizing the funds provided by the XV Finance Commission, SDMAs can usher in a new era of efficiency, ensuring that the goals of global agreements like the Paris Agreement and Sendai Framework become not just aspirations but tangible realities
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