VOX POP
What should the government do in case of an emergency situation such as 26/7?

CITIZEN INITIATIVE

Natty Lopez, a lecturer at the Nirmala Niketan for Social Work, Churchgate, which immensely contributed its help to those who suffered from the deluge especially in the L Ward (low-lying Kurla-Ghatkopar area) enlists what citizens should do in an emergency situation:

Do not believe on the numerous rumours floating about that are often a cause for mass panic.

Pay heed to warnings put out by the government.

It's always advisable to stock dry food up at home in case of an emergency.

If you have to move away from the area, contact the local agencies/NGOs immediately.

Act to minimise the loss of property and life.

Vinay Somani, Convenor, NGO Council talks about the necessity for community-involvement in disaster- management.

Non-governmental organisations (NGO) are closest to the people. This was convincingly demonstrated to the government authorities during the Mumbai floods last year. NGOs give real-time feedback about the situation as it evolves, disseminate information to the people, ensure proper distribution of relief supplies and are more accessible than cell phones rather than most government officials.

There is still a lot of work that the government needs to do. They have to map out the low-lying areas and also need to mark the height that water reached in each building. Special needs of the disabled - the physically, visually, mentally, and the hearing challenged-children and the elderly have not been noted to be incorporated into future plans.

Apart from the floods, disasters that can affect Mumbai are outbreak of disease, communal riots, terrorist attacks and earthquakes. There are also other emergency situations like building collapses or large fires. For each of these situations, it is critical to map resources by area. What are the various needs that have to be managed? Shelter, medical, food, clothes, safety, logistics, information, distribution of relief, coordination between volunteers, donors, citizens, and various government agencies.

Halls, schools, colleges, places of worship can be used as temporary shelters while it is critical to have a contact list of specialist doctors, pharmacies, nursing homes, ambulances, blood banks and volunteers in the area.

Students have the ability, energy and enthusiasm that can bring in broader information from different geographical areas during the situation. Teachers have the ability to be good co-coordinators, and to set up a proper reporting and record-keeping function, and, of course, know how to work with student volunteers.

The Local Area Citizen Group concept is also based on the realisation that the existence of such a relationship with active 'citizen units' is critical and essential in promoting community involvement in disaster management.

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