Discussion on ‘Strengthening Social Protection Systems for Climate & Disaster Risk Management’
New Delhi, Mar 6 (Agency) National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), together with UNICEF and partners under the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (NPDRR), met for a day-long deliberation on ‘Strengthening Social Protection Systems for Climate and Disaster Risk Management’ at the Institute of Economic Growth in New Delhi. The discussion focused on building resilience of people and communities at risk of disasters by investing in social protection programs to reduce their exposure to shocks and stresses. Approximately 4.1 billion people, and 65 per cent of children are not covered by social protection benefits globally, as a result the poorest and most vulnerable people are the ones most severely impacted by disasters.
Investments in disaster management systems that incorporate agile and flexible social assistance programmes, and social welfare policies can be a powerful form of preparedness to respond to disasters and support recovery, UNICEF said in a statement. These are critical in building resilience in people and communities to deal with uncertainties associated with disasters, impact of climate change and other long-term vulnerabilities. Addressing the participants, Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator for India said, “People are already extremely exposed to multiple hazards, vulnerable communities living in different areas makes it all the more urgent to address the issues related to disaster risk management.” Acknowledging India’s initiatives toward climate action he added, “India is playing an important role in moving the global conversations from focusing on climate mitigation to climate adaptation. This clearly shows an understanding that initiatives should not just be about contributions to a better future but also strengthen the resilience of the people facing those issues in the present.”
India is a pioneer in using social assistance mechanisms to contribute to risk reduction and emergency response. There are many national and state-led social protection programmes focused on children and women across the life cycle in India to build a shock-responsive and inclusive social protection system, the statement said. The Government of India placed social protection at the heart of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic largely through scaling up social protection schemes, digitization, leadership and cross-sector coordination and financial inclusion. India is consolidating its disaster risk management system to fully incorporate the dimensions of shock-responsive social protection, it said. Delivering his remarks, Rajendra Ratnoo, Executive Director, National Institute of Disaster Management said, “The connotation of social protection needs to shift from mere protection to empowerment and inclusivity.”
Addressing the importance of having a nationwide database related to Climate and Disaster Risk Management, Rajendra Ratnoo along with Urvashi Prasad, Director, Office of Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, emphasized on the importance of having a validated database covering different aspects related to disaster risk that may help planning and implementation efforts for risk reduction and rehabilitation. Speaking on food security as a form of social protection, Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Principal Secretary, Department of Transport, Government of Madhya Pradesh, focused on the Public Distribution System as a complex, and transformative social-protection scheme that delivers food as a right through range of sub-systems such as Integrated Child Development Scheme, Mid-Day Meals as well as addresses needs of people impacted by shocks and stresses, it added.