MHA-USAID - UNDP Partnership on Climate Risk Management in Urban Areas through
Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation
Progress Report: October 2013- September 2014
BACKGROUND
MHA-USAID - UNDP Partnership Project on Climate Risk Management (CRM) in Urban Areas through
Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation was approved in October 2012 to reduce disaster risks in eight
cities with the following key objectives:
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Reduce disaster risk in urban areas by enhancing institutional capacities to integrate climate
risk reduction measures in development programs as well as to undertake mitigation
activities based on scientific analyses.
Enhance community capacities to manage climate risks in urban areas by enhancing the
preparedness.
The key results envisaged under the project are:
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City Disaster Management Plans in 8 cities;
Hazard Risk and Vulnerability Analysis in 5 cities/safety assessments in 8 cities;
Municipal Officers of eight cities trained in Incident Response System to effectively respond
to disasters;
Communities in 520 wards trained to respond to disasters;
Action plan to strengthen Early Warning Systems in 8 cities based on analytical studies;
Sectoral (4) plans in each of the 8 cities to mainstream DRR and Climate Change Adaptation
in development programs;
Public Private Partnerships for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Recovery facilitated;
Knowledge Management
Urban areas replicate the current approach of CRM through disaster preparedness and
mitigation;
The project was revised in September 2013 to increase the outlay to US$ 1.735 million over a period
of three years with additional activities. The project covers the cities of Bhubaneswar, Gangtok,
Madurai, Navi Mumbai, Shimla, Trivandrum, Vijayawada and Vishakhapatnam. The cities were
selected jointly by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and UNDP based on the hydro metrological
hazard profile and increasing impact of climate change in the cities. Many of these cities were
covered under the earlier Urban Risk Reduction Projects which provides a platform and an enabling
environment to implement risk reduction and climate change adaptation initiatives. They are also
covered under different national schemes such as Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission
(JNNURM), providing an opportunity for integration of DRR in on-going development programmes.
The new activities approved in September 2103 cater to training of municipal officials in Incident
Response System in order to improve response mechanism in the selected cities; dissemination of
learning from the project cities to municipal officials of non-project cities through state level
workshops, and to facilitate a workshop to enhance Public Private Partnership for DRR and Recovery.
UNDP supported larger project on “Enhancing Institutional and Community Resilience to Disaster
and Climate Change” was approved by MHA in September 2013. Urban Risk Reduction Output is
included as one of the outputs in the new Project and hence, the USAID supported project on
Climate Risk Management in cities has now been subsumed under the larger project. The total
budget of the new project is USD 6.235 million with the USD 1.735 million from USAID and USD 4.5
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million from UNDP out of its core resources. Further, to augment the urban component under the
new project, two more cities i.e. Silchar in Assam and Ranchi in Jharkhand have been added with
funding from UNDP. The approach in these cities is similar to the one adopted under the USAIDUNDP partnership project.
Accordingly, the project activities in these cities are also being monitored by the Project
Management Committee chaired by the Secretary, Border Management, MHA, GOI. This is a
significant achievement in ensuring buy-in of MHA at the highest level as well as to ensure synergies
with larger CCA-DRR initiatives in the selected states.
The focus over October 2013- September 2014 has been on reviewing/ revising/ preparing the City
Disaster Management Plans (CDMP); conducting/finalising Hazard Risk Vulnerability Assessment
studies; finalising EWS studies in 7 cities; organising Incident Response System (IRS) training for
Municipal officers and knowledge sharing and training of the stakeholders on preparedness and
mainstreaming.
PROGRESS
Progress against Outputs:
Project Output 1: City Disaster Management Plans (CDMP) with adequate focus on
Climate Risk Management prepared/ updated
Activity Indicators:
 Existing City Disaster Management Plans reviewed and updated;
 City level consultation meetings organized for updation of CDMP
 City Disaster management Plan prepared
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Based on review of the CDMPs, the concerned authorities are in the process of
revising the plans.
o State Disaster Management Authority, Sikkim is reviewing the City Disaster
Management Plan with the support of Tata Institute of Social Sciences
(TISS). Further, keeping in mind the possibility of a major earthquake in
Sikkim, Evacuation Plan for the Gangtok city with linkages to the District DM
plan has been drafted- final consultation and approval is pending.
o Based on the gaps identified by the consultant engaged under the project to
review the Shimla CDMP, the potential hazards and resource inventory has
been added to the plan and other chapters are being revised.
o In Trivandrum updating of various chapters of the plan related to the city
profile and resource inventory has been completed. The revised plan
submitted for approval has included information currently available through
the HRVA study. The ongoing HRVA study being undertaken by HRVA cell,
Institute of Land and Disaster Management once complete would further
help in updating the city plan.
o In Bhubaneswar to augment the CDMP 2014, ward level plans are being
prepared with the help of NGOs selected through the procedure laid by the
City level Ward Disaster Management Committee. The exercise will be
completed within the next six months.
o In Vijayawada, the CDMP framework has been revised and concerned line
departments approached for data. The framework was prepared in
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consultation with Engineering, Town Planning, Vijayawada Urban
Development Authority and Revenue department. The planning department
of the Vijayawada Urban Development Authority has agreed to provide the
technical support to make the plan robust and workable. Updating of data
as per the revised framework has been completed. Once the HRVA study is
completed, its findings will also be incorporated in the CDMP.
Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation has engaged the Tata Institute of Social
Sciences (TISS) to review its existing CDMP. The work has been initiated and is
scheduled for completion by next quarter (Oct 2014-Dec 2014)
Visakhapatnam Municipality has entrusted Andhra University to develop the City
District Management Plan. The first stakeholder’s discussion on CDMP was held in
January 2014 and an inception report detailing the approach, methodology and
basic hazards profile of the city submitted. The submission of the CDMP is scheduled
for next quarter (Oct 2014-Dec 2014).
Project Output 2 – Hazard Risk and Vulnerability Analysis in 5 cities/ Safety Assessment of
lifeline buildings to be conducted in 8 cities
Activity Indicators:
 Reviewed existing reports of HRVA;
 Methodology for conducting HRVA determined;
 Model TOR prepared for conducting HRVA;
 Expert Agency appointed for technical assistance to develop the HRVA.
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Based on the review done by the consultant last year, Gangtok HRVA is being revised.
HRVA studies were commissioned by UNDP for the cities of Bhubaneswar, Vijayawada and
Visakhapatnam. The agency has finalized the reports after presenting the initial conclusions
to the stakeholders in the cities. After an earthquake of low intensity off the Paradeep coast
shook the city on 21st May, 2014, the HRVA study of Bhubaneswar city has gained more
importance.. The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) immediately organised a
meeting of key officials and stressed upon the need not only for an HRVA but also wanted
the engineers to undertake Rapid Visual Screening (RVS) for critical building and undertake
intense awareness campaign in the city for earthquake safety with support from Orissa State
Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) and UNDP.
In Madurai, basic HRVA study was undertaken with the help of a local NGO and the draft
report is being reviewed by the Municipal Corporation. The city authorities have also
developed a detailed GIS mapping for the four most vulnerable wards and the findings will
be incorporated in the HRVA report. The format for RVS has been drafted to assess the
stability of the building (five buildings in each zone) and the work to collect the data is
scheduled for next quarter (Oct 2014-Dec 2014).
The Trivandrum Municipal Corporation had engaged the HRVA Cell of the Institute of Land
and Disaster management, Trivandrum to undertake the HRVA of the city. They have
submitted a Hazard profile of the city of Trivandrum and are currently finalising the
Vulnerability profile of the city.
Navi Mumbai had engaged IIT-Mumbai for undertaking the Physical Vulnerability aspects
TISS to undertake the Vulnerability aspect. Work is in progress.
In Shimla city the authorities are still working out the details for engaging an agency for the
HRVA study.
Project Output 3 – Action Plans based on feasibility studies developed to strengthen Early
Warning System (EWS) at city level
Activity Indicators:
 National/State level resource institution(s)/experts identified for conducting city level
feasibility studies;
 Assessment of the existing Early Warning System at the district/City level and identification
of gaps.
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After presenting the initial findings of a study on the existing EWS to the stakeholders in the
cities of Bhubaneshwar, Gangtok, Madurai, Navi Mumbai, Shimla, Trivandrum and
Visakhapatnam, the technical agency has finalized the reports. The city authorities are in the
process of preparing Action Plans to improve the systems. The Policy note on EWS will be
submitted by mid-November. A National Level Workshop is planned for December 2014 to
discuss the study findings with national level relevant agencies, need for a manual/ guidance
note on EWS as well as capacity building requirement of the stakeholders on Early Warning.
In Trivandrum, a meeting was held with the Ham Radio club, Science and Technology Musem
to link them up with the EOC of the city.
Based on an earlier study on the existing Early Warning System in Vijayawada the city has
operationalized a bilingual SMS alert system. It was developed by Vijayawada Municipal
Corporation (VMC) and established in the EOC of the corporation.
Project Output 4: Sectoral (4) Plans developed in each of the 8 cities to mainstream DRR
and Climate Change Adaptation in development programs
Activity Indicators:
 Organized consultation meetings at State and city level to understand the scope of
mainstreaming DRR and CCA in development programs;
 Identified 4 sectors.
As the understanding of DRR and CCA is limited and activities like HRVA and EWS is ongoing besides
mainstreaming requires lot of handholding this component has not yet pick up pace and very few
activities have taken place in the reporting period. During the inception workshops in all cities,
education and health were identified as two critical sectors where mainstreaming is required.
 UNDP has arranged two-day training programmes on “Tool for the Assessment of School and
Hospital Safety for Multi-Hazards in South Asia developed by UNISDR, UNHABITAT and
SAARC” in all the cities.
 After the training programme on safe school in Vijayawada, a discussion with the Education
Department and trained teachers was held to initiate a study of 20 VMC schools for
preparation of retrofitting plan. The study is pending approval of MC, VMC.
 The 6-day module on ‘Building Resilience through Integrated Development Practice’
developed by Indian Institute of Human Settlement (IIHS) with UNDP support was reviewed
and found to be useful to support in enhancing understanding of the Human Development
Indicators, Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation issues. A six day training
programme for the municipal officers from seven cities was conducted by IIHS in September
2014 to build capacities for better urban planning.
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Project Output 5 – Communities in 520 wards trained to respond to disasters
Activity Indicators:
 Selection of city wise vulnerable wards;
 Identification of organized volunteer groups;
 Organizing training programs for volunteers;
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Bhubaneswar City organised specialised training on Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue
(CSSR) training for Civil Defence Volunteers (39M, 14 F)
Two day training programmes each on Basic First Aid (32 M, 15 F) and Search and Rescue (35
M, 17 F) was held in Gangtok City for the ward level volunteers.
Madurai City Corporation with technical support from the Fire Service department organised
three training programmes on Fire safety for 102 volunteers from various wards while First
Aid Training for 54 Volunteers was undertaken by GVK-EMRI.
Navi Mumbai city organised an 18-day training programme with the support of National
Disaster Response Force (NDRF) supported specialised training on various aspects of Medical
First Response (MRF) and Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR) organised by Navi
Mumbai for CD volunteers Fire service and home guards (21-M, 9-F).
In Trivandrum city, 2 one-day training programmes for 50 volunteers (Male 4 and Female 46)
of Shelter Management team from 7 wards was organised on Shelter Management. One day
training for the Evacuation task force was organised by Professional Excellence in Social
Development Services, Kollam (PROFEXCEL) in two batches, 25 participants (3 M; 22 F) from
9 wards participated. ANGELS (Active Network Group of Emergency Life Savers) organised 5
Basic Life Saving skill trainings for 113 (101 F, 12 M) participants belonging to 16 wards.
In Shimla city a three day basic training on First Aid was conducted with support of St. John
Ambulance. In all around 40 participants joined the programme but in keeping with the
decision taken that participants who complete the full training will be awarded certificates
only 16 (9 F, 7 M) qualified.
With the help of APARD and MCHRD institute more than 300 identified urban volunteers in
Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam cities were oriented and trained on various aspects of
disaster preparedness.
Project Output 6: Municipal officers trained in Incident Response System to respond to
disasters in eight cities
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About 271 (31 (F) 240 (M) ) Municipal officers from eight municipalities along with relevant
district officials have been trained on Basic and Intermediary course on Incident Response
System in the reporting period.
Project Output 7 – Relevant Knowledge Products developed and Knowledge Sharing
mechanisms established
Activity Indicators:
 Organizing Knowledge Sharing Workshops;
 Developing Knowledge products;
 Developing and printing relevant IEC materials.
 Public Private Partnerships for Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery facilitated
Cities have conducted sensitisation programs and school/ college competitions, participated in
exhibitions and developed IEC material (in English and local language) like pamphlets, posters and
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calendars for awareness creation and training material (e.g. First Aid, and Search and Rescue) to
train officials and other stakeholders respectively.
Knowledge products:
 Bhubaneswar city has developed a calendar in the local language (Odia) using the pictures of
a drawing completion for school children. A survival guideline for volunteers has been
developed with help of Civil Defence;
 Gangtok has prepared a calendar which links solid waste management and disasters
especially in contest of jhora (small streams);
 Madurai has developed a series of posters related to urban hazards such as fire, flood,
mosquito bite, personal safety and road safety, Mock drill manual for the schools;
 In Vijayawada, IEC material on landslides and impact of rockslides has been drafted to be
produced in the local language.
 Cities of Gangtok, Madurai, Trivandrum, Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada are currently
engaged in developing a web page to be embedded within the city portal to disseminate the
knowledge on Climate Change and Urban Risk Reduction.
Sensitization Programmes:
 Bhubaneswar city MC organised a sensitisation programme for 40 participants belonging to
the Resident Welfare Association of COSMO Apartment, Bhubaneswar on Fire Risk
Management with help of the Civil Defence volunteers.
 In Madurai one day sensitisation programme for 40 revenue officials was undertaken with
support of technical persons from Thiagarajar college of Engineering and NDRF on various
issues of Disaster Management with support of the CPC who was also a resource person.
Further, CPC spoke about Disaster Management issues at the National Youth Camp
organised by NSS where six states participated.
 In Trivandrum, sensitisation meeting was organised for the office bearers of Kudumbashree
Community Development Societies, Area Development Societies and its committee
members to sensitise them on Disaster Management. Further ward level sensitisation
meetings were held in 7 wards i.e. Sanghumugham (67-1M, 66F), Attuka (111), Ambalathara
(66-11M, 55 F), chala (61-28 M, 33F), Karamana (50-5M, 45F), Kalady (23-10M, 13F),
Pallithura 60 (10M, 50F) to sensitise people about climate risk management and form Task
force in each of the ward of better response.
Public Private Partnerships for Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery workshop
 Due to parliamentary elections and disasters, national government was unable to commit
dates for the Public Private Partnerships for Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery
workshops. As per the advised by MHA this workshop would be held in Jan/ February 2015.
State level Sharing Workshops:
 Two state level learning workshops were organized in the state of Kerala and Odisha to
share the learning from the project cities as well as other initiatives organised for urban
resilience with the non-project cities. Other state level workshops will be organised within
the next year.
Review Meetings:
The second meeting to review the progress of the project was held on 29 January 2014 at Madurai
under the chairmanship of Joint Secretary (DM) and National Programme Director, GoI-UNDP
project on “Enhancing Institutional and Community Resilience to Disasters and Climate Change’. The
following key decisions were taken
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City authorities should review the sectoral programmes and schemes sponsored by the
Centre and States and draw the attention of the concerned sanctioning authorities/
departments to ensure that at the planning and implementation stages new risks are not
generated, and strategies are formulated to integrate mitigation aspects.
City response mechanism should be strengthened taking into consideration the potential
risks /new hazards and also engaging different development
Enhancing community awareness on potential hazards and enhancing their response
capabilities
Mitigation planning in the cities should be revised and based on the HRVA studies outcomes
as and when they are submitted.
Challenges
The year i.e. October 2013-September 2014 saw slowing down of activities in all the project cities
due to many unavoidable reasons. Severe cyclonic storm Phailin, 2013 hit the coasts of Odisha and
Andhra Pradesh impacting work in cities of Bhubaneswar, Vijayawada & Visakhapatnam. Further,
the political turmoil in the state of Andhra Pradesh due to agitation for bifurcation of the state into
Telangana and Andhra Pradesh; followed by state and parliamentary elections affected project
activities in cities of Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam in the last two quarters. The activities were slow
in all the cities as the states prepared for parliamentary elections while city of Bhubaneswar was
additionally subjected to Urban Body election. Officers and other staff were assigned election duties
and community members were involved with political parties.
The planned activities like training programmes, consultations or field visits for information
collection pertaining to various studies had to be reschedules/ cancelled due to national, state and in
some cities urban body level elections. Further, due to elections and the disasters, national and
state governments were unable to commit dates for the Private Public Partnership (PPP) as well as
state level workshops.
It was also realized during the course of implementation that there are limited numbers of resource
persons with appropriate knowledge that combines urban issues with DRR and CCA and can be
engaged to undertake training to provide guidance to the cities. The requirement for resource
persons could range from Training on Incident Response System or supporting the cities for
consultations/ workshops on mainstreaming, EWS, etc. This hampered the simultaneous conduction
of training programmes or learning workshops in the various cities. The issues of inadequate number
of trainers/resource persons have been discussed and partnership with academic institutions and
specialized agencies is being explored to ensure that non- government actors are encouraged to
undertake Training of Trainers programs on various issues.
Additionally, the City Project Coordinators of Navi Mumbai and Shimla resigned this year due to
personal reasons and the process of recruitment was once again initiated and CPC, Navi Mumbai
joined in the last week of June 2014 while CPC, Shimla would join in the first week of August 2014.
Utilisation of Funds
Quarterly statement of funds utilisation in prescribed format for the period October 2013 to
September 2014 is attached.
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