Regional and international organizations play an important role in disaster management by providing humanitarian assistance. The United Nations and its agencies coordinate international relief efforts and provide support in areas like health, food security, shelter and protection. Other major organizations involved include the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International Committee of the Red Cross, National Disaster Response Force in India, and World Organisation for Animal Health. These organizations work together and with local authorities to provide effective response during times of disaster.

1. Regional and international
organizations in disaster
management
PGS-506

2. INTRODUCTION
Disaster management is a complex process involving international,
national and local organisations each with a distinct role to play. To respond
to disaster situations a coordinated effort is required.
Different organizations have been providing support in critical sectors like
health, education, water supply and sanitation, shelter and infrastructure,
restoration of livelihood, food security and nutrition, environment, etc.
India’s multi – hazard risk and vulnerability to natural and man – made
disasters, organizations have been playing a significant role in providing
humanitarian assistance to disaster – affected people in most of the severe
disasters

3. Created in December 1999, UNISDR is the secretariat of the International Strategy
for Disaster Reduction (ISDR).
Its core areas of work includes ensuring disaster risk reduction (DRR) is applied to
climate change adaptation, increasing investments for DRR, building disaster-resilient
cities, schools and hospitals, and strengthening the international system for DRR.
UNISDR’s vision is based on the three strategic goals of the Hyogo Framework for
Action: integrating DRR into sustainable development policies and planning,
developing and strengthening institutions, mechanisms and capacities to build
resilience to hazards, and incorporating risk reduction approaches into emergency
preparedness, response, and recovery programmes.
The “Hyogo Declaration“ and the “Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-
2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters” was adopted
by the World Conference on Disaster Reduction, held in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan, in
January 2005. The Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) tasked UNISDR with supporting
the implementation of the HFA.
International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR)

4. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in
collaboration with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) is
the arm of the United Nations responsible for bringing together
national and international humanitarian providers to ensure a
coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures that a
framework is in place within which each provider can contribute to
the overall response effort. It also advocates for people in need,
promotes preparedness and prevention and facilitates sustainable
solutions.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO) provides
early warning of impending food crises, and assesses global food
supply problems.
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) is an
intergovernmental agency which helps transfer refugees, internally
displaced persons and others in need of internal or international
migration services.
The Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights (OHCHR) provides assistance and advice to governments
and other actors on human rights issues, sets standards and
monitors rights violations.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) assists
The United Nations and its organisations

5. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) provides international
protection and assistance for refugees, stateless persons and internally displaced
persons, particularly in conflict-related emergencies.
The United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) works to uphold
children’s rights, survival, development and protection by intervening in health,
education, water, sanitation, hygiene and protection.
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the principle supplier of relief food aid.
The World Health Organization (WHO) provides global public health leadership by
setting standards, monitoring health trends, and providing direction on emergency
health issues. WHO’s role is to reduce avoidable loss of life and the burden of
disease and disability. A range of technical guidelines for health action in crises and
pre-deployment training courses are available. A set of technical hazard sheets
on earthquakes, drought, floods and landslides, is also available.
…Continued

6. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a Swiss-based
humanitarian organisation and founding member of the International Red
Cross and Red Crescent Movement(1863).
It is mandated by the international community to be the guardian and
promoter of international humanitarian law, working around the world to
provide assistance to people affected by violence.
The ICRC provides physical rehabilitation to people injured by explosive
weapons or other types of incident.
ICRC organises, in collaboration with WHO, the Health Emergencies in
Large Populations(HELP) course to upgrade professionalism in
humanitarian assistance programmes.
The ICRC runs programmes to support the development of physical
therapy education and welcomes the involvement of individuals or physical
therapy institutions in supporting these developments.
The ICRC publication Health care in danger: the responsibilities of
health-care personnel working in armed conflicts and other
emergencies provides guidance, in simple language, on rights and
responsibilities in conflict and other situations of violence for health
personnel.
The International Committee of the Red Cross

7. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is the world’s largest
humanitarian organization made up of 186 member Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
The International Federation’s mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by
mobilizing the power of humanity.
The IFRC coordinates and directs international assistance to victims of natural and
technological disasters, to refugees and in health emergencies.
It combines its relief activities with development work to strengthen the capacities of National
Societies and through them the capacity of individual people.
The IFRC acts as the official representative of its member societies in the international field.
It promotes cooperation between National Societies, and works to strengthen their capacity to
carry out effective disaster preparedness, health and social programmes.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

8. The DM Act (Disaster Management Act), 2005 made the statutory provisions for the constitution
of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) with the objective of specialized response to
natural and man-made disasters.
As per the Section 45 of the DM Act 2005, the NDRD has to function under the general
superintendence, direction and control of the National Disaster Management Authority
(NDMA) and under command and supervision of Director General, NDRF.
NDRF a specialist force, the force is gradually emerging as the most visible and vibrant multi-
disciplinary, multi-skilled, high-tech force of the NDMA capable of dealing with all types of natural
and man-made disasters.
At present, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is about constituted of battalions from
the BSF, CRPF, CISF and ITBP.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)

9. National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM)
The National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) was constituted under
an Act of Parliament with a vision to play the role of a premier institute for capacity
development in India and the region.
Under the Disaster Management Act 2005, NIDM has been assigned nodal
responsibilities for human resource development, capacity building, training,
research, documentation and policy advocacy in the field of disaster management.
NIDM provides technical support to the state governments through the Disaster
Management Centres (DMCs) in the Administrative Training Institutes (ATIs) of the
States and Union Territories.
NIDM hosts the SAARC Disaster Management Centre (SDMC) and works as
its national focal point.

10.  Member Countries identify and include in their priorities the human and material
resources needed to avoid and reduce the impact of potential disasters on animal
health and welfare.
 Veterinary Services enhance their cooperation and coordination with all sectors
involved in disaster risk reduction and management, in particular public health
authorities, to prevent and control zoonoses.
 Member Countries promote the exchange of expertise on disaster risk reduction
and management among countries in the Region.
 The OIE continue its support for building the technical, management and good
governance capacity of Veterinary Services, in order to contribute to reducing the
incidence of emerging and re-emerging diseases and to animal welfare through
disaster risk reduction and management.
 The OIE continue its work of supporting Members by means of programmes such
as the evaluation of performance of Veterinary Services (OIE PVS Tool), PVS
Gap Analysis, legislation missions and any other support via the PVS Pathway, in
order to strengthen Veterinary Services, giving appropriate coverage to disaster
risk reduction and management.
World Organisation for Animal Health

11. The OIE, through its Reference Centres and in collaboration with other international
organisations, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and
the World Health Organization (WHO), and with relevant regional organisations, continue
supporting Veterinary Authorities in developing surveillance, simulation models and other tools
that take into account the relationship between natural and biological disasters, no matter
whether it is of natural or intentional origin .
The Director General of the OIE contact the Secretariat of the United Nations International
Strategy for Disaster Reduction in order to promote interaction between the two organisations
in the areas of animal health and welfare, and disaster risk reduction and management.
The OIE support Member Countries by creating opportunities for Veterinary Service training
and capacity-building on disaster risk reduction and management, and by promoting the need
for countries to share information and experience, with the emphasis on hazard, vulnerability
and risk studies, and the development of disaster reduction plans.
The OIE consider disaster risk reduction and management in its veterinary curriculum
development work.
The OIE work with Cuba on finalising the establishment of an OIE Collaborating Centre on
disaster risk reduction and management.

12. Other organizations involved….
Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)
An organization that is dedicated to helping people worldwide where the need is greatest,
delivering emergency medical aid to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or
exclusion from health care.
Mennonite Central Committee
MCC is a global, non-profit organization that strives to share relief, development and peace.
When responding to disasters, they work with local groups to distribute resources in ways
that minimize conflict.
Direct Relief International
Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organization. It’s active in all 50 states and 70 countries
and has a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or
emergencies.
Brethren Disaster Ministries
One of BDM's primary fields of work is engaging in a network of volunteers to repair or rebuild
damaged homes for disaster survivors who cannot recover on their own.
The Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team
AMURT’s mission is to help improve the quality of life for the poor and disadvantaged in the
world besides those affected by calamities and conflicts.
The Nazarene Disaster Response

13. REACT International
They will provide public safety communications to individuals, organizations, and government agencies to
save lives, prevent injuries, and give assistance wherever and whenever needed.
All Hands
All Hands is the world’s leading disaster relief organization powered by volunteers. Over the last ten years,
they have enabled over 35,000 volunteers to donate 175,000 days impacting 500,000 people all over the
globe.
CityTeam International Disaster Response
Cityteam is a Christian nonprofit organization that’s compassionately serving the poor, the homeless, and the
lost in San Jose, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Oakland, Portland, and other parts of the world.
OXFAM
Oxfam is an international confederation of 18 NGOs working with partners in over 90 countries. They help
those who need it most after natural disasters strike their homes.
Billy Graham Rapid Response Team
The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (RRT) trains God’s people for grief ministry. It also deploys crisis-
trained chaplains to provide emotional and spiritual care to those affected by man-made or natural disasters.
ADRA
ADRA Canada, part of a world-wide ADRA network, has been working to end extreme poverty in some of the
poorest communities of our world for three decades.
Hope Worldwide
HOPE worldwide is an international charity that changes lives by harnessing the compassion and
commitment of dedicated staff and volunteers to deliver sustainable, high-impact, community-based services
to the poor and needy.

14. NECHAMA
NECHAMA is a voluntary organization that provides natural disaster preparedness, response, and recovery
services nationwide. Through the years, they have brought comfort to disaster survivors by training and
mobilizing thousands of volunteers to help communities in the aftermath of floods, tornadoes, and other
natural disasters.
United Methodist Committee on Relief
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is a non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating
human suffering around the globe. UMCOR work includes programs and projects in disaster response,
health, sustainable agriculture, food security, relief supplies, and much more.
Plan India
Plan India, a member of Plan International Federation, is a nationally registered independent child
development organization committed to creating a lasting impact in the lives of vulnerable and excluded
children, their families, and communities.
Save The Children
2015 presented the world with unprecedented challenges. Thanks to their incredible generosity, Save the
Children responded to 99 humanitarian crises in 59 countries, directly reaching 13.8 million people, including
7.1 million children.
CARE
CARE International is a global confederation of 14 member organizations working together to end poverty
caused by conflict and natural disaster.
GlobalGiving
GlobalGiving is the first and largest global crowdfunding community for nonprofits. Since 2002, GlobalGiving
has raised $230,218,366 from 536,778 donors who have supported 14,942 projects.
International Relief Teams
International Relief Teams (IRT) is a top-rated non-profit humanitarian organization dedicated to alleviating

15. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
They work with partner organizations worldwide to tackle critical problems in four program areas. Their Global
Development Division for instance works to help the world’s poorest people lift themselves out of hunger and
poverty which is often caused by natural disaster.
ICCO
ICCO is the interchurch organization for development cooperation. They work towards a world in which people
can live in dignity and well-being; a world free from poverty and injustice.
Relief International
Relief International is a non-profit organization whose sole mission is to reduce human suffering. They respond
to natural disasters, humanitarian emergencies, and chronic poverty. They are non-sectarian and non-political.
Mission Aviation Fellowship
You'll find MAF in the hardest-to-reach locations, where people live isolated from the rest of the world, cut off
from the most basic necessities. Their highly trained pilots maneuver Cessna and KODIAK aircraft through
rugged terrain.
World Vision
They’re continuously building relationships. By planning and working alongside local leaders, they’re finding
solutions to change the future for kids and the next generation.
Amref
They are committed to improving the health of people in Africa by partnering with and empowering
communities, and strengthening health systems.
ShelterBox
By providing emergency shelter and tools for families robbed of their homes by disaster, they’re transforming
despair into hope.

16. THANK YOU