Self-assessment is needed to tackle the climate change risks, said experts while addressing the inaugural session of a two-day Self Assessment programme on ‘Getting climate smart for disasters’ here on Tuesday.
The self-assessment drive was launched by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS, UK), Inter Cooperation Social Development of India (ICSD) and All India Disaster Mitigation Institute (AIDMI) of Ahmedabad.
Disaster response and recovery must address climate change risks, for which self-assessment, first of its kind in India, shows a possible way ahead, said the experts.
The increasing severity of the hazards, increasing vulnerability of people and unexpected events such as the current early heat wave in the State demand such self-assessment urgently. It would enrich policymaking, project planning and strategic steps. It also helps build longer term adaptive capacity of people to evolve their own solutions.
Ambika Nanda of UNDP suggested greater focus on poverty and vulnerability in such self-assessment initiatives. Kamal lochan Mishra of OSDMA explained the key steps taken by the OSDMA to reduce the risks faced by people.
Puri and Gajapati districts came up as two case studies for such self-assessment. Binapani Mishra of SWAD demanded greater role of women in self-assessments while Indrani Phukan of ICSD explained how self-assessments enhances national action plans in India.
Mihir Bhatt of AIDMI expected Odisha to take a lead to find ways to reduce disaster and climate risks simultaneously. The State has the skills, capacities and the commitment to achieve simultaneous results, he added.