Attachments
Executive Summary
The study on strengthening the humanitarian system is the first of its kind in India and probably among very few, if any, such studies undertaken at the national level anywhere else in the world. Humanitarian systems have been studied more in global contexts to analyse the pattern and trend of humanitarian assistance flowing to disaster affected and conflict-ridden countries of the developing world and to assess the effectiveness of such assistance.
This study can be used as a guiding template for similar studies in other countries, especially in developing countries, interested to improve their humanitarian systems. The contexts, legacies, and the frameworks of laws, institutions, standards, and practices of each country would be different and therefore the broad structure followed in this study can be adapted according to the specific contexts and needs of the countries.
This study was initiated by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in India in collaboration with All India Disaster Mitigation Institute (AIDMI) and Sphere India to document and better understand the humanitarian system in India. This study has been designed to serve the purpose of recommending measures for further strengthening the Humanitarian System in India with the following objectives:
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To describe the structure of the humanitarian system in India
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To analyse the type of assistance provided in response to humanitarian crisis events and identification of the gaps
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To provide recommendations for strengthening the humanitarian system in India
Being guided by a technical advisory group, the study was completed through use of secondary information mainly collected online and through desk reviews. At the same time some primary data collected through emails, phone calls and online consultations.
The report describes in detail the main elements of the humanitarian system in India and its evolution from providing ‘charity’ aid to victims of disasters, to a more rights-based approach. It reviews the system through the lens of adherence to humanitarian principles, the structure and guidance of the system at various levels, humanitarian financing, and national capacity. The following are some high-level conclusions from this study:
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India has well-developed humanitarian structures, this is reflected in its laws, institutions and financial mechanisms, and the active involvement and participation of many voluntary and philanthropic organizations involved in humanitarian work. This however requires further integration among all stakeholders.
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The Humanitarian system of India is largely self-reliant, self- sufficient and has the potential to increasingly provide technical and financial assistance to other countries affected by disasters and crises events.
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The Humanitarian response for saving lives is robust and effective, with an active and capacitated National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) that has been effective in search and rescue operations both within and outside India and has the potential to build multistakeholder capacities.
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Civil society responses to humanitarian crises are strong and pervasive but require further standardization and mainstreaming to further supplement the initiatives of the government in providing humanitarian assistance to people in distress during humanitarian crises, especially in areas where government outreach is limited.
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Disaster Early warning systems have prevented many humanitarian crises, India has developed credible early warning systems for hydro-meteorological and other disasters that are providing useful lead time to disaster response agencies to disseminate warnings to the people and evacuate at risk populations to safe places thereby saving large number of lives.
There is scope to leverage this capacity for providing localised advisories, to further facilitate knowledge sharing and technology transfer solutions to Indian states and developing countries through South- South and Triangular cooperation. -
Humanitarian finance devolved well to address humanitarian crises, India has developed a dynamic and responsive mechanism for the timely and assured flow of funds from the Central to the State governments and from the States to the districts for responding to the humanitarian needs following disasters. The five yearly awards of the constitutionally mandated Finance Commission ensures that the State governments receive the annual earmarked State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for disaster response. Capacity building initiatives for administrative stakeholders in compliance with reporting, monitoring and evaluation protocols will ensure effective and transparent utilization of humanitarian finance.
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The Humanitarian system promotes innovations and good practices at State, local and community levels. Every State has tried to adapt the minimum standard of relief and the SDRF norms according to local conditions, based on experiences gained over the years. A few humanitarian organizations in India have taken the lead in working with several State governments in establishing District and State level Inter-Agency Groups for effective Government and NGO cooperation and coordination. There remains ample scope and potential for adapting, mainstreaming, and scaling relevant innovations and good practices.
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The application of technology has enabled timely assistance to victims, such as using remote sensing and GIS for surveying the affected areas and making quick assessments of damage and losses. In addition, helicopters and drones have been used for sending emergency relief to remote locations. The role of technology has immense scope to be leveraged to ensure effective and timely early warning, damage, loss and needs assessments and catalyse the right-to-relief and response efforts through the use of tools for information dissemination, including social media.
Based on the review and the above conclusions, the study has also made the following recommendations for consideration:
Recommendation 1: Develop a common Humanitarian Policy Framework
A common humanitarian policy framework and document, developed through a consultative process involving all the stakeholders, could serve as a common guidance document for all humanitarian actors in the country. In addition, this document could outline the humanitarian principles, and the accountability framework for adherence to the operating principles, guidelines, and regulations.
Recommendation 2: Revise the National Guidelines on Minimum Standards of Relief
The Minimum Standards of Relief of 2016 should be reviewed and revised through a consultative process with the government, civil society, and others, to not only provide guidance on the minimum entitlement of relief as provided in the Disaster Management Act, but also to include detailed guidance on how to deliver support in various contexts, as well as guidance on timeliness, adequacy, quality, monitoring, transparency, and special needs of affected populations.
Recommendation 3: Develop a Model Relief Manual
Based on the National Humanitarian Policy Framework and the revised National Guidelines on Minimum Standards of Relief, a comprehensive Model Relief Manual could be developed which covers all aspects of the operation and governance of disasters and other humanitarian relief in the country.
Recommendation 4: Develop a Relief Management Information System (RMIS)
Due to the lack of a national information management system on disasters and disaster relief operations and management, there is a need to develop a comprehensive, sophisticated, and transparent IT-enabled system that would capture all information on disasters and allow for greater accountability.
Recommendation 5. Establish an institutionalised coordination framework for all humanitarian actors
An institutionalised framework for collaboration and coordination among all humanitarian actors could be established at the national level which can be adapted to State and even district levels and its implementation can be guided by coordination committees at various levels.
Recommendation 6: Ensure that the Humanitarian System is gender-sensitive and inclusive
The specific needs of women, children and other vulnerable groups are not adequately addressed in the humanitarian system of the country. There is a need for disaster response services to be more gender responsive and inclusive as many vulnerable groups have special needs that may not be met in disaster situations, and often they don’t approach the government and nongovernment stakeholders for help owing to the stigma attached to their status.
Recommendation 7: Establish Mandatory Training and Capacity Development for Humanitarian Response
With support from the United Nations and non-governmental organizations involved in global and domestic humanitarian response, the Government should develop a training package that includes learning about humanitarian laws and principles, minimum standards of relief, humanitarian finance, humanitarian logistics and supply chain management, relief camp management, the sectoral issues of relief and documentation and monitoring of relief works.
Recommendation 8: Establish a Centre of Excellence for Humanitarian Action
Building on the extensive experience in disaster preparedness and response across the country, the Government of India should establish a Centre of Excellence for Humanitarian Action in the country which could partner with a wide variety of national and international governmental, nongovernmental, and international organizations to provide relevant education, training, interagency coordination, and research.
Recommendation 9: Establish a National Monitoring and Evaluation system
A robust monitoring and evaluation system must be established beyond the existing system of expenditure monitoring and financial audits, to introduce more accountability, transparency, and effectiveness in the system, supported by the proposed Relief Management Information System.