UPSC Mains 2024 GS3 Q17: model answer

UNDRR defines resilience as the ability of a system or community exposed to hazards to resist, absorb, adapt to and recover from them in a timely and efficient manner.

How it is determined

• Risk = hazard × exposure × vulnerability, reduced by capacity.
• Indicators: building quality, early warning, income, health access, social networks, governance.
• Tools: disaster resilience indices, risk assessments, post-disaster recovery time.

Elements of a resilience framework

• Risk understanding: hazard mapping and data.
• Governance: laws, plans and institutions (DM Act 2005, NDMA, SDMAs).
• Investment in risk reduction: resilient infrastructure, building codes.
• Preparedness and early warning: cyclone warnings that cut deaths in Odisha.
• Response capacity: NDRF, SDRF, community volunteers (Aapda Mitra).
• Recovery: 'build back better', insurance and social protection.

Sendai Framework global targets (2015-2030)

1. Substantially reduce global disaster mortality.
2. Reduce the number of affected people.
3. Reduce direct economic loss in relation to GDP.
4. Reduce damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services.
5. Increase countries with national and local DRR strategies by 2020.
6. Enhance international cooperation with developing countries.
7. Increase availability of multi-hazard early warning and risk information.

India's Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure shows how resilience is moving from relief to prevention.