Emergency preparedness and response programs

Emergency Preparedness and Response Programs are plans and actions designed to protect people and communities from disasters and emergencies. These programs focus on being ready before a disaster happens and responding quickly when it does. They include activities like risk assessment, planning, training, and resource management to make sure everyone knows what to do in an emergency. During a disaster, response programs help with rescue, medical care, evacuation, and relief operations. Afterward, they support recovery and rehabilitation to restore normal life. These programs are important because they save lives, reduce damage, and build resilience in communities. Government agencies, NGOs, health workers, and local volunteers all play key roles in making them successful.

1. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND
RESPONSE PROGRAMS
Adeeba Fatima
Sarojini Naidu Vanita Mahavidyalaya
MSc II Year Nutrition & Dietetics
Seminar on

2. Community and National Preparedness,
coordination, operations
Disaster cycle
Administration of water, food and basic
sanitation- distribution centres and camps
CONTENT

3. INTRODUCTION
Emergency preparedness and response programs are systematic plans, policies and
coordinated actions designed to reduce the impact of disasters and emergencies. They
aim to ensure that individuals, communities & governments effectively prevent, respond
to, and recover from natural, biological or technological emergencies.
OBJECTIVES
Reduce vulnerability by identifying risks and building capacity before
emergencies occur.
Ensure coordinated response among government agencies, NGOs and
international organizations.
Protect health and safety of populations during disasters and public health
emergencies.
Promote resilience and recovery through post-disaster rehabilitation and
sustainable development.
Strengthen early warning systems and emergency communication

4. TYPES OF
EMERGENCY Earthquakes Hurricane Cyclones
Emergency color codes
Source:Colour Studies

5. 3
Key global institutions and programs
addressing emergencies/disasters

6. Major institutions and programs in India
addressing emergencies/disasters

7. COMMUNITY AND NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS,
COORDINATION,OPERATIONS
Preparedness during emergency/disaster
Community Preparedness means the ability of people living in a community to
plan,organize, and respond effectively to emergencies or disasters.It involves local-level
awareness, training, and participation in disaster risk reduction and emergency
management activities.
Objectives
To reduce loss of life and property during disasters.
To empower local communities to act as first
responders.
To ensure self-reliance before external
help arrives.
To build awareness about hazards
and safety measures.
To strengthen coordination between community
members and local authorities.

8. Source: times of india Source:: Dips.texas.gov Source:BBC Source: istock Awareness and education Early warning systems Community training programs Maintain emergency supplies Formation of volunteer groups Health and sanitation measures

9. 5
National Preparedness refers to the systematic planning, coordination, and
resource management by the central government and national agencies to
effectively prevent,respond to, and recover from disasters and emergencies.
It involves policy frameworks, national disaster plans, capacity building,
inter-agency coordination, and deployment of resources across the country.
Objectives
To build a resilient nation capable of handling any emergency or disaster.
To ensure uniform national policies and frameworks for disaster
management.
To promote coordination between
ministries, departments, and states.
To strengthen early warning systems
and communication networks.
To provide training, equipment,
and infrastructure for national
response forces.
To integrate community-based
preparedness with national strategies.

10. 6 source : freepik Source: AVpartners Source: shutterstock Formulate disaster management policies
Risk Assessment
Public Awareness campaigns
Strengthen critical infrastructureStrategic stockpiles

11. Coordination during emergency/disaster
Community coordination refers to the process of organizing and aligning the efforts of
individuals, community groups, local authorities, and organizations to work together towards a
common goal—especially during emergencies, disasters, or development programs.
It ensures that resources, communication, and actions are efficiently managed to reduce
duplication and enhance collective impact.
Objectives
To strengthen collaboration among
community members, NGOs, and
government agencies.
To ensure timely communication and
response during emergencies.
To optimize resource use (food, water,
shelter, medical aid, etc.).
To enhance preparedness through
training, awareness programs, and drills.
To build resilience by involving communities in planning and
recovery activities.

12. Techniques of coordination Techniques of coordination Community Emergency Committees Information Sharing Systems Mock Drills & Simulations Resource Mapping: Source: ABP news
NGOs and local volunteers Source: Smile India trust

13. National coordination refers to the organized collaboration between different
government ministries, departments, agencies, and institutions at the national
level to ensure a unified and effective response to disasters or national
emergencies.
It involves planning, communication, and resource-sharing among various
sectors — such as health, defense, water, food, transport, and housing — to
manage disasters efficiently.
objectives
To ensure a centralized and
systematic response to disasters.
To coordinate roles and responsibilities
among ministries and national agencies.
To provide quick mobilization of
national resources and funds.
To support state and local governments during
large-scale emergencies.
To strengthen national disaster
preparedness policies and
frameworks.

14. Techniques of coordination Techniques of coordination National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC)
Inter-ministerial Coordination
Resource mobilization
Source: Ministry of food processing
Source: WHA group Source:The Hindu

15. Operations during emergency/ disaster Community operations refer to the organized actions carried out by local communities
during all phases of a disaster — preparedness, response, recovery, and rehabilitation.
These operations involve community members, volunteers, local organizations, and
local governance bodies working together to reduce risks, respond to emergencies, and
rebuild their area effectively.
Objectives
To strengthen local capacity for
managing emergencies without
waiting for external help.
To mobilize local resources (people,
equipment, food, water, shelters).
To provide immediate relief
during disasters
To promote participation in community
planning and preparedness.
To ensure recovery and rebuilding efforts
are inclusive and sustainable.

16. Activities in Community Operations Formation of Community Emergency Teams Hazard Mapping and Risk Assessment Public Awareness and Drills
Resource Management Evacuation and Relief Camps Recovery and Rehabilitation Source: Pembroke pines Source:Flood science center Source:Bhaskar English Source:Researchgate Source: ThePrint

17. National operations refer to the organized actions and coordinated efforts
undertaken by a country’s central government, national agencies, and
institutions to manage, control, and respond to disasters or emergencies across
the nation.
These operations ensure that the response, relief, and recovery efforts are
carried out efficiently, with proper coordination between central and state
authorities.
To provide nationwide coordination for disaster
response and recovery.
To mobilize national resources such as
defense, medical, and logistics support.
To implement national-level disaster
management plans and policies.
To assist state and local
governments in large-scale
emergencies.
Objectives
To ensure uniform standards for preparedness, training, and early warning systems.

18. National Operations during emergency/
disasterNational Emergency Operations Center(NEOC)
National Disaster Response Force(NDRF)
National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM)
Early warning systems
National Disaster Management Authority of India
Coordination between agencies Source: TheHindu Source:Healthcare professional Institute Source:Georgia Today Source:India Today

19. Disaster CycleDisaster Cycle
The disaster cycle also called as the Disaster management cycle is a continuous
process that helps communities and nations prepare for ,respond to, recover from
and mitigate the effects of disasters. It ensures that actions are taken before, during
and after a disaster to reduce its impact and speed up recovery. It also refers to the
series of interrelated phases that quide disaster management activities - from
prevention and preparedness to response and recovery. It is a continuous process
aimed at reducing the risks and consequences of disasters.

20. source: FutureLearn

21. MITIGATION
RETROFITTING
INFRASTRUCTURE TO
WITHSTAND HAZARDSSource:National levee database Source:istockphotos

22. PREPAREDNESS
source facebook Source:alamy Source:Brittanica STOCKPILING OF EMERGENCY SUPPLIES EARLY WARNING SYSTEM

23. RESPONSE Source:the economic times

24. RECOVERY
Reconstruction of damaged infrastructure Source:shutterstock Environmental clean up and restoration Source: RAND Mental health and counseling services Source: SAMSHA
Financial and livelihood assistance to affected
familiesReviewing and updating disaster management plans

25. Administration of water, food and basic
sanitation - Distribution centres and camps
Administration of water, food and basic sanitation in distribution centres and camps
refers to the organized process of providing safe drinking water, adequate nutrition,
and hygienic facilities to the displaced or the affected populations during emergencies
or disasters. It ensures survival, prevents disease outbreaks, and restores normal living
conditions until rehabilitation.

26. Objectives
To ensure continuous access to safe
drinking water and adequate food
To maintain basic sanitation and
hygiene in camps amd shelters
To prevent malnutrition and water-
borne diseases
To ensure equitable distribution
of resources among affected
populations
To promote community participation in
maintaining hygiene and cleanliness
To coordinate with government
agencies and NGOs for efficient
supply chain management

27. Key components of Administration
Water Management: Sources, purification, storage, and rationing.
Food Management: Procurement, storage, cooking, distribution, and nutrition
quality.
Sanitation: Waste disposal, hygiene promotion, toilets, drainage,vector controlSource:mqagt.com
Source:AR Racking

28. Title : "Mental health consequences of long-term stays in refugee camps:
preliminary evidence from Moria".
Journal: BMC Public Health
Year of publication: 2021
Authors: Willemine V. , Carla C., Francisco U. , Michelle F., Willey F.
This study was conducted in the Moria refugee camp in Greece. The study assessed
the mental health of refugees living in overcrowded, insecure, and unhygienic.
Using a Cross-sectional study design, the researchers collected survey and
questionnaire data from camp residents to assess mental health outcomes such as
anxiety , depression, PTSD.The results revealed alarmingly high rates of
psychological distress — about 77% of participants showed symptoms of depression,
65% suffered from anxiety, and 50% exhibited signs of PTSD. The findings
demonstrate that extended confinement in poor humanitarian settings severely
harms mental health. The authors conclude that urgent policy reforms, faster
asylum procedures, and expanded access to psychological care are essential to
reduce the lasting mental health burden among refugees in such camps.

29. Title: Drinking water supply for communities affected by natural disaster emergencies: a
qualitative study
Journal Name: BMC Emergency Medicine
Year of Publication: 2025
Authors: Saeid B., Seyed H., and Mohsen D.
The study employed a qualitative approach using conventional content analysis.
Data was gathered through purposive sampling, involving participants with both
academic and practical expertise in water supply management during natural
disasters.The researchers studied how to provide safe drinking water to
communities during natural disasters. The researchers interviewed water supply
experts and analyzed their responses. They found that planning ahead, involving
experts, and training local people are very important. Challenges like limited
resources and logistics make it harder, but proper coordination can help ensure
safe water and keep communities healthy during emergencies.

30. References:- The management of nutrition in major emergencies- World Health
Organization Geneva https://ndma.gov.in
Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine ( twenty-seventh edition)
K. Park
https://nidm.gov.in/

31. ThankThank‌‌Thank‌ you!you!‌‌you!‌