How do you deal with disasters? Have your say and join specialists in the debate

As the number of global disasters mounts, a new book Facing Up to the Storm published on 7 July by leading international aid and development agency Christian Aid opens an online debate on how the world can cope with emergencies.

(PRWEB) July 23, 2003 -- As the number of global disasters mounts, a new book Facing Up to the Storm published on 7 July by leading international aid and development agency Christian Aid opens an online debate on how the world can cope with emergencies.

Running from 7 July to 7 August, the debate will discuss the critical questions of how poor communities throughout the world - bearing the brunt of floods, famine and drought - can stop crises from becoming catastrophes. Visit www.christianaid.org.uk/storm for further details of how to join in and to download a free copy of the book.

More earthquakes, tidal waves, floods and droughts hit Asia than in any other region in the world. For example, every year, around 25m people in India are killed, injured or have their lives ruined by disasters.

The online debate will look at:

The best way to respond: is it the prevailing top-down strategy, run by governments and many agencies?
How can disaster management be integrated with development?
How can community organisations work effectively together with government?

The book Facing Up to the Storm draws on the lessons learned from India's two most recent major disasters - the 1999 Orissa super cyclone and the Gujarat earthquake, in 2001.

It looks at evidence from organisations funded by Christian Aid on how lives can be saved by simple means such as constructing cyclone shelters, enforcing building codes, providing local officials with satellite phones and discussion with local people about what kind of disasters could happen, and how they should respond.

The book contains case studies from:

Gujarat: The findings of local NGO Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) in the aftermath of the earthquake show that local councils - or panchayats - must be given more power to handle the response to an emergency, rather than waiting for national or international relief agencies to move in. Local masons must be trained in techniques to build safe, strong - but cheap - housing. Search and rescue missions must also be improved for when disaster does strike.

Orissa: Local NGO, Church's Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA), has set up a training centre to teach disaster management techniques.
This section also explains why coastal areas must be re-planned to take into account factors such as wind-direction. Early warning systems also need to be improved and local people trained in emergency drills.

'There is no 'one size fits all' answer to emergencies. Nor are these experiences easy solutions to complex challenges,' says Tom Palakudiyil, co-author of the book and head of Christian Aid's India programme

'But we hope that the lessons presented here will promote debate on how the world's poor, living in disaster-prone areas, can reduce their risks and be prepared for catastrophe.

'People believe that it needs expensive hardware, like sophisticated communications systems. But while this is important, 'software' such as
awareness, community preparedness and clear management systems are even more vital.

'Emergencies do not have to leave behind a trail of hapless victims dependent on the magnanimity of a benevolent state or aid agency,' he adds.

Notes to editors:

1. For further information about the online debate call Kati Dshedshorov on 020 7523 2452 or email kdshedshorov@christian-aid.org

2. Christian Aid is hosting an online debate about disaster mitigation and preparedness. The following panelists will be taking part in the debate from 7 July until 7 August 2003. Visit www.christianaid.org.uk/storm for further details of how to take part.

· David Alexander, professor of disaster management at Cranfield University, Royal Military College of Science, and author of several books on disasters

· John Twigg, consultant and honorary research fellow at University College London. He is currently writing a good practice review on disaster mitigation and preparedness

· Kamal Kishore, advisor to the United Nations Development Programme for South and Southwest Asian regions on disaster reduction issues

· Sushant Agrawal, director of one of India's leading development agencies, the Church's Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA), whose experiences in the Orissa cyclone and Gujarat earthquake are featured in the book.

· Moderators: Tom Palakudiyil, Christian Aid representative in India, and Mary Todd, independent consultant on disaster management.

3. Facing up to the storm will be available for download at wwww.christianaid.org.uk/storm from 7 July

4. For copies of Facing Up to the Storm, or an interview with the authors, Tom Palakudiyil and Mary Todd, please call Claire Shelley in the Christian Aid media division on 020 7523 2421

Christian Aid is an international relief and development agency working worldwide to fight poverty and injustice. It works with some of the poorest communities, helping people irrespective of race, religion, culture or background and exposing the scandal of poverty. Christian Aid works on issues from emergency response, peace building after conflict, and sustaining livelihoods, to HIV/AIDS, trade and human rights. Christian Aid has nearly 600 partner organisations in around 50 countries worldwide.

To find out more about Christian Aid's development work, read news stories, features, press releases and reports, and view web clips and photo galleries take a look at www.christianaid.org.uk.