preconference cote on disaster management in occupational therapy jan. 21, 2010, ahmadabad dr. anil...
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PRECONFERENCE COTE ON
DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Jan. 21, 2010, Ahmadabad
Dr. Anil K. SrivastavaPresident- AIOTA, Executive Chairman ACOT & Editor, IJOT
Head of OT Services, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, C.S.M. Medical University, Lucknow
PREAMBLE
It was all quiet on the waterfront on the Sunday morning
after Christmas in 2004 at Kanyakumari, the famous
Marina Beach in Chennai and elsewhere on the Kerala
coast and Andaman Nicober Islands. There was the
excitement of a holyday with an offbeat mood with swarms
of people on the sea front: children playing cricket and
man and women on their morning work at the Marina.
Elsewhere, fishermen were putting out to sea for the day’s
catch. Then all on a sudden, a curious thing happened.
The holidaymakers at Kanyakumari were awestruck when
the sea receded from the shores. The horrifying Indian
Ocean Tsunami waves of 26th Dec. 2004 engulfed
massive no. of lives and properties worth billions in
coastal regions of Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala,
Pondicherry and Andaman & Nicobar Island in India.
The damages in all respect were many times higher in
Thailand, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. It led to cries, chaos,
havoc, floating bodies, and screams for help.
It was the most severe disaster in recent history that has
happened in Southeast Asia and affected many people.
Similarly the killer Earthquake in Bhuj and Kucch in
2001 and again on Oct 8, 2005 in J & K region in
India and Pakistan killed many thousands and grossly
damaged properties and infrastructure in affected areas.
Haiti quake: Tens of thousands feared dead, millions
homeless
The 7.0 magnitude earthquake that rocked the tiny & poor
country of Haiti struck a week back at 4:53 pm on
Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010, devastating the capital city of
Port-au-Prince, which is between the Caribbean Sea and
the Atlantic Ocean.
“Parliament has collapsed. The tax office has collapsed.
Schools have collapsed. Hospitals, main prison have
collapsed,” Thousands of people may have died.
Officials feared thousands -- perhaps more than
100,000, but another official said that figure could
climb to 500,000, but there was no firm count.
People running past rubble of a damaged building after a powerful earthquake struck Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Tuesday, 12th Jan. 2010.
LAST 5 KILLER EARTHQUAKES
Country Year Magnitude Killed
China (Sichaun) May 2008 7.9 90,000
Peru Aug 2007 8.0 500
Indonesia May 2006 6.4 5,750
Kashmir Aug 2005 7.7 75,000
Indonesia March 2005 8.6 1,500
Disaster Risks in India
The United Nations said in a report released on June
15. 2009, that People in China, India and Indonesia
are among those at an "extreme" risk of dying in a
natural disaster.
World Disasters Report 2006 informs: around 58% of
the total numbers of people killed in natural disasters
during 1996-2005 were from countries of South East
Region. In this decade, Asia had the highest no. of
natural disasters (1273) and technological disasters
(1387) - this comprises 44% of all disasters that occurred
across the world during this time period.
Bangladesh is most threatened by cyclones. People in
China, Colombia, India, Indonesia and Myanmar were at the
highest risk of dying from earthquakes. Indians are most in
danger from floods also. India, on account of its
geographical position, climate and geological setting, is the
worst-affected theatre of disaster in the South Asian region.
With climate change expected to increase the severity and
frequency of natural calamities, India one of the 10 nations
most affected by such catastrophes.
The Statistics Are Alarming:
22 States of the country are disaster-prone.
68 per cent of the cultivable area is vulnerable to drought.
58.6 per cent of India is prone to earthquakes of moderate
to very high intensity. The fragile Himalayan mountain
ranges are extremely vulnerable to earthquakes (and
landslides and avalanches). Western and central India is
equally unsafe.
over 40 million hectares (12 per cent of land) is prone to
floods and river erosion;
of the 7,516 km long coastline, close to 5,700 km is
prone to cyclones and tsunamis
Vulnerability to disasters/ emergencies of Chemical,
Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) origin also
exists
expanding population, urbanization and industrialization,
development within high-risk zones, environmental
degradation and climate change heightened
vulnerabilities to disaster risks
World Disaster Report 2006 also informs that Bahrain and
a number of Gulf States face a very low risk of death from
disasters. However Denmark, Estonia, Finland and
Latvia were also among "the safest places on earth
from sudden" disasters.
The 30 odd types of disasters, which have been
experienced in the past in India, have been categorized as
under:
WATER AND CLIMITE RELATED HAZARDS (Floods
and Drainage Management / Droughts / Cyclones / Tsunami / Tornadoes
/ Hurricanes / Hailstorms / Cloudburst / Snow Avalanches / Heat & Cold
Waves / Thunder and lightning)
GEOLOGICALLY RELATED HAZARDS (Earthquakes /
Landslides / Mud glows / Sea Erosion / Dam Bursts & Dam Failures /
Mine Fires)
CHEMICAL, INDUSTRIAL & NUCLEAR RELATED
DISASTERS
ACCIDENT RELATED DISASTERS (Road, Rail and other
Transportation Accidents including waterways-Boat Capsizing/ Mine
Flooding/Major Building Collapse/Serial Bomb Blasts/Festival related
Disasters/ Electrical Disasters & Fires/Forest Fires/ Urban Fires/Mine
Flooding/ Oil Spill/ Village Fires)
BIOLOGICALLY RELATED DISASTERS (Biological
Disasters/ Epidemics/Cattle and Bird Epidemics/Pest Attacks/Food
Poisoning)
Earthquakes in India
Indian Ocean Tsunami
26 Dec., 2004
Marina Beach after Tsunami
Tsunami in Thailand
Sudden crashing of a giant wave against the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, situated
at the southern tip of Kanyakumari.
15TH May, 2003. The fire broke out in three coaches of the Golden Temple Express, which was travelling from Bombay (Mumbai) to the holy Sikh city of Amritsar. At least 38 people have died in a fire on an express train in India's northern Punjab state
Mumbai flooding after
2006 deluge
Disaster Management in Respect to Occupational
Therapy: The Background
2004 Tsunami was a driving force for WFOT and OT’s in
India, in advancing efforts to support and build capacity
among occupational therapists - in Asia and beyond- to
effectively engage in disaster work. WFOT undertook a
situational analysis within the affected countries in this
region in March 2005 to inform a strategic response, locally
and internationally.
Based on the outcome of the situational analyses of
Tsunami affected countries carried out by a WFOT
Team , a 5 day Regional Action Planning and Capacities
Building Workshop was organized by WFOT in close
collaboration with WHO and other international NGOs ,
at Mount Lavinia, Colombo in Sri Lanka from 11-16 Dec.
2005 which was attended by 25 participants, including
Tsunami affected countries – India, Sri Lanka,
Indonesia and Thailand.
Post Tsunami Action Planning and Capacity Building
Regional Workshop aimed to empower occupational
therapists to alleviate the sufferings of disaster survivors. A
strong need was felt for OTs to shift their knowledge and
unique skills into a new context of OT in CBR and
community development in disaster situations, and in
coordination and liaison with NGOs and Government. It
was also hoped that this initiative might contribute to a
rejuvenation of the profession in India.
A holistic approach to disaster management is required in
planning for prevention, reduction, mitigation, and
preparedness and thereafter response planning, goes a
long way to reduce the loss of life and property and
minimizing the after-effects due to disasters.
It is estimated that the rehabilitation needs of 80% of
people with disabilities, in India, could be satisfied at the
community level. This calls for an urgent need to draft
policy guidelines for inclusion of occupational therapy at
grass root level. However appropriate training,
counseling and employment of OT’s for working in
community in disaster situations or in general, still
remains a challenge.
That was the reason that AIOTA accepted to become a
part of the regional team and achieved success in
generating cooperation from WHO in form of financial
assistance for sending its 4 member team to participate in
the Regional Workshop at Sri Lanka in Dec 2005 for
supporting this unique development of the profession
of Occupational Therapy in this subcontinent.
Following were the participants:
Dr. Anil K. SrivastavaPresident, AIOTA –Team Leader
Dr. M. Mathanraj David Chennai
Dr. P. RamakrishnanChennai
Dr R. K. Goel Lucknow: from a National level N.G.O.
In response to the challenges faced by OTs in
addressing the scale of need arising from disasters,
coupled with the limited numbers of OTs and their
access to appropriate resources, workshop
participants adopted the motto: “Work Smart with
Heart”. This captures the essence of how OT
intends to move forward in progressing regional and
national plans and proposals in Disaster
Management.
The Indian presentation in the Regional Workshop
stressed that:
“It is the uniqueness of each emergency that is
crucially important to bear in mind for planning strategy
for preparedness.”
“The planning and outcome of the workshop should
be for disasters in general in place of Tsunami only to
provide it a broader platform for intervention.”
“The after-effects of disasters including physical,
social, psychological and economical and thereafter
rehabilitation and relief services are identical to be
addressed with.”
Until now globally O.T.’s have limited engagement in
types of disasters. Although they have capabilities
and potentialities to have a significant long term role
to offer in helping the traumatized societies rebuild
and return to meaningful occupations.
AIOTA emphatically emphasized on the lack of awareness of
OT and thus limitations in OT involvement in disasters. It
informed that OTs have been responding through their work
within government services and in some cases, with local
NGOs. Mostly it has been reactive and therapy oriented:
Building OT understanding and capacity regarding all aspects
of disaster management will help overcome many limitations,
while language, cultural and contextual knowledge means a
focus on equipping locally based OTs with disaster
management skills
The WFOT project on DPR was designed in two
phases:
1.The Regional Workshop followed with
2.Subsequent National Workshops in Disaster
Preparedness and Response (D.P.& R.) in Tusanami
affected countries : India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and
Indonesia.
It also aimed to inform this cutting edge
development to other parts of the world and
build a foundation in disaster response to
Occupational Therapy. Significantly no other
international health care profession has achieved
this outcome till date in care of disaster survivors.
National Occupational Therapy E-Group Workshop
on
Disaster Preparedness and Response
Since due to the reasons beyond control the National OT
Workshop on DPR scheduled from 3-7 July at New Delhi
could not be held, the AIOTA and WFOT Presidents and
officials in consultation with Regional DPR Team, decided
to organize it as an E- Workshop by using the
innovative mode of using the electronic media –the
Internet: an entirely new approach for such an event
of international significance.
The National OT E-Workshop on DPR commenced from
18th September, 2006 with voluntarily registered 16
participants, and concluded on 23rd Dec. 06.
As a first time experience for all concerned, and given the
vagaries of electronic communication across continents,
time zones and interspersed with national holidays, the
E-Group proceeded surprisingly well.
Resource Facilitators for National OT E- Workshop on DPR
WFOT President, Kit SinclairHong Kong
WFOT Consultant
Kerry Thomas
(Australia)
British Delegate and
WFOT Executive,
now V.P .Finance Samantha
Shann (U.K.)
President AIOTA, Dr Anil K.
Srivastava ( India )
Following were the 16 participants:
1. Dr Mrs Z.D.Ferzandi,
Coordinator Participant
2. Dr. Indira R. Kenkre
3. Dr. Rajani Kelkar
4. Dr. Jyothika Bijlani
5. Dr. Anuradha Pai
6. Dr. Shailaja Jaywant
7. Dr. Shashi Oberai
8. Dr. Satish Maslekar
9. Dr. Veena Slaich
10.Dr. Anita Gupta
11.Dr. Krunal Desai
12.Dr. Poorva Shinde
13.Dr. Kalpana Kadu
14.Dr. Odette Gomes
15.Dr. Mahesh Kawle
16.Dr. Pankaj Bajpai
E-Workshop: The Purpose and Objectives:
The key purpose of this Action Learning –
Action Planning E-Workshop on DP&R
was: to build capacity of OTs to respond to
emergency situations, now and in the future and in
doing so to also advance the role of the profession
in general community based and occupational
approaches to work.
The Outcomes of the E-Workshop:
Group members have increased understanding of
DP&R and the potential roles that OT can have in DP&R,
and increased knowledge, skills and confidence to
progress planning and engagement of Occupational
Therapy in DP&R.
A first Draft National Occupational Therapy DP&R
Plan Document is prepared from which future capacity
building and assistance can progress.
Draft Terms of Reference for a National OT DP&R
Task Force, a body authorized by AIOTA to take
forward further development, national endorsement
and implementation of the National Plan, and to
identify potential members for the Task Force.
THE NATIONAL OT PLAN ON DPR: The Highlights:
KEY OBJECTIVES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR OTs:
The establishment of a National OT Disaster
Management Task Force
Education and capacity building for OTs in all
aspects of disaster management.
Coordination with different disaster preparedness
and response agencies.
Mobilization of systems and resources (materials,
funds, volunteers, association structures and events
etc) to progress plan objectives and actions.
PURPOSE
To enable OTs to contribute to national DP&R
efforts in an effective and professional way… to
assist in the recovery of survivors of disasters
and to reduce the risks for those who are
especially vulnerable in disaster situations such
as people with disability
COMPONENTS OF PLAN AND ACTIONS INITIATED
Awareness Rising
To create awareness among OTs of the role of OT in
DP&R and especially to promote OT engagement at
the primary and grassroots levels by:
Including DPR as a subject in the OT curriculum
(direction has been issued to all OT Educational
Centers in India for implementation)
Arranging camps and making compulsory postings for
students for relief and rehabilitation work in community
before and after disaster (AIOTA Branches and few
of the OT Educational Centres are rendering
services to disaster survivors within the
community and also in institutions after referral).
Publishing related articles in the journals, periodicals
read routinely by OTs. (Articles. News, Letters and
information are appearing in AIOTA official
publication Indian Journal of OT and AIOTA
website www.aiota.org as and when received)
Policy, Procedures and Standards
As a new area of practice for OTs in India, there is a
need to develop policies and procedures to guide
OT’s in preparing for and responding to disaster
situations. (COTE arranged today on Disaster
Management in OT is specifically planned to guide
and prepare OT’s to respond to render their
expertise for disaster survivors whenever is
desired)
Coordination, Networking and Partnerships
After the policy planning there will be a need for publicity,
co-ordination with other disaster team members.
Evidence-Based Interventions
Liaison to be established with key research and educational
institutes to ensure that OT education in the field of DP&R is
based on evidence-based policy.
It would be achieved by critically evaluating what is
already done and to blend it with new knowledge so
that it can be implemented in a given situation.
It means placing more emphasis on integration and transfer
of research knowledge into practice to be used along with
judgment, training, needs of PWD and community members.
Capacity Building
Facilitating development of DP&R in OT undergraduate
and Post graduate programs.
Facilitating professional development in DP&R for OTs
who want to or may otherwise become engaged in DP&R.
Sharing national and international expertise, experience
and exchange programs with Key International
Organizations.
NATIONAL O.T. D.P. & R. TASK FORCE
1. PURPOSE OF THE DP& R TASK FORCE
To take overall responsibility for the development,
endorsement and implementation and evaluation of
DP&R involving OT’s in India, including preparedness,
emergency response and recovery programs. This will
include ensuring OTs work as a team in providing
immediate OT services for disaster stricken people and
people with disability, and maintaining proper follow-ups.
KEY TASKS
The main functions and responsibilities of the Interim Task
Force that has been constituted by AIOTA and that further
needs to be strengthened, are aimed to:
Coordinate OT National DP&R Plan development and
endorsement.
Coordinate development and endorsement of OT
Guidelines and Standards for engagement in DP&R.
Coordinate OT awareness raising and marketing
regarding OT and DP&R.
Develop plans for preparedness and response in
conjunction with Branch members and other key
stakeholders.
Coordinate OT education and professional
development regarding DP&R, including for existing OT
professionals and for Undergraduate and Postgraduate
students.
Develop partnerships between OT’s and other key
stakeholders (government, donors, local and
international NGOs, WFOT, etc).
Support the coordination and implementation of Pilot
Projects and other programmes and services in
relation to DP&R
In a Disaster/Emergency, to coordinate implementation
of appropriate Action Plans.
Develop and maintain an operational function
regarding administration, systems, capacity
development, and coordination at all levels.
Coordinate monitoring and evaluation, and reporting.
Facilitate sharing of information and learning, and
resource dissemination.
Members of the Task Force may require orientation
and training in order to success in a
Disaster/Emergency, to coordinate implementation of
appropriate Action Plans.
Task Force membership and determination of roles
will be endorsed by AIOTA in consultation with its
local branches.
The Interim National OT Task Force:
To respond to emergency situation an Interim National OT
Task force is being constituted in AIOTA. The need is for its
strengthening for the effective functioning for involvement of
OT’s therein.
President AIOTA – Coordinator
Group Leader: any one of the senior AIOTA member in
the affected area, may be designated as Group Leader
to take up the responsibility.
Branch Convenor of the affected area.
NTF Members –Active participants of E-Workshop
Associate Human resources – qualified OT’s in the
affected region ,
Undergraduate interns and Postgraduate OT
students from the particular/ nearby regions.
Potential Benefits of Involvement in DPR
“Occupational therapists are passionate and
committed professionals, and potentially have much
to contribute in facilitating the recovery of traumatized
people and communities. Generally however,
occupational therapists are not connected into formal
disaster response mechanisms. This is mainly
because OT’s have limited familiarity or connection
with disaster response coordination systems. Their
role is not widely recognized.”
The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable
people to participate successfully in the activities of
everyday life. They achieve this outcome by enabling
people to do things that will enhance their ability to live
meaningful lives or by modifying the environment to
better support participation. It enhances longer term
national capacity and self-reliance in disaster affected
countries, and beyond.
The significant benefits of involvement of OT’s in DPR
also include:
better equipped with local health professionals in their
ongoing efforts to rebuild their lives and livelihoods,
contributing to outcomes that can be sustained by local
service providers and systems
local Health Professional including OT’s, engaging
with disasters and reconstruction policy, planning and
coordination mechanism, contributing pertinent
expertise to the current response effort while laying
the foundation for more cohesive involvement and
response efforts in the event of future disasters
local occupational therapists and others become
more effectively able to participate in and progress
wider community, government and international
objectives for enabling ‘access for all’ to community
based rehabilitation and health care services,
contributing to the achievement of national, regional
and UN goals (eg. WHO, UNICEF, Human Rights and
Millennium Development Goals)
role in stronger networking and coordination between
local health professionals, government services and
projects, and national and international NGO
programs, providing for a more integrated, holistic
and yet rationalized and self-reliant service
framework
at a more practical level benefit include better quality
ongoing care and support for disaster affected
individuals and their families, particularly those with
psycho-social trauma and physical injuries, stronger
referral and follow-up systems between community
care, hospital and rehab centre programs; and more
disability and age friendly accessibility in private and
public buildings/spaces
Relationships between donors and occupational
therapy organizations (including WFOT and national
associations) established that lay the foundation for
ongoing partnerships for mutual benefit and the
benefit of communities into the future.
Practitioners become equally responsive to
psychological and psychiatric conditions as they are to
physical disorders. A special focus is built on the early
detection of stress, psychological distress and
psychiatric phenomena
Intra professional support that is essential is also
achieved.
Specific OT Roles: Post Disaster
Inclusion of OT’s in CBR-Post Disaster at grass root level
is not possible unless there is knowledge and
understanding of the local culture, the socio economic
background and the religious practices within the
community. The culture, the religion and family in India,
impel people to support and look after the weak and
disabled. Families provide an identity and sense of
security to its members irrespective of their ailments
and/or disability.
Caring and sharing is still a part of Indian
culture. An effective community therapy
program is very much dependent upon its
acceptance by the community. Realization of
need and involvement of community both are
key factors for acceptance.
Specific OT Roles: Post Disaster may include but are not limited to-
1.Ensuring accessible environments post disaster at all stages of recovery ( eg. In displaced persons camps) and reconstruction ( in rebuilding homes and community facilities)
2.Organization of daily activities in displaced persons camps and surviving communities to include persons with disabilities, women, elderly and children
3.Liaison with/ and encouragement of community leaders and others to reorganize community supports and routines
4. Use of every day occupations including play and
sports to facilitate recovery
5. Assessment of mental health status of survivors for
depression and suicidal tendencies, with
subsequent counseling and occupation based
activities
6. Training of volunteers to carry out mental health
assessment and counseling, thus providing more
immediate services for greater numbers.
Disability and Disasters: Some Facts
60% of PWD are overlooked during disaster
situations; PWD and their relatives are even more
excluded in emergency situations than in ‘normal’
times
Women and children are 14 times more at risk than
men; the elderly are also at high risk; PWD are more
at risk
PWD suffer particularly high rates of mortality and
morbidity in disasters, while many more become
disabled as a result of disasters.
The Issues to be considered in Disaster
Management
A typical Disaster Management continuum comprises of
six elements i.e., Prevention, Mitigation and
Preparedness in pre-disaster phase, and Response,
Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in post-disaster
phase.
1. Large and overwhelming numbers of displaced
persons who may be highly mobile (including within
camp accommodation) and/or with whom it may be
difficult to register their needs.
2. Issues of immediate requirements for shelter, food,
water, and disease prevention/sanitation; and their
long term provision and sustainability.
The OT’s engaged in management of Disaster affected
should consider following issues in planning strategy:
3. Loss of income and sustainable means of living for
survivors -- affecting immediate and long term
survival, and responses to post-traumatic stress.
4. Psychosocial effects to survivors which include loss of
family and other supports – particularly affecting
vulnerable groups (e.g. the elderly, children, people
with disabilities).
5. Significant needs for psychological and mental health
care – including identification and referral, and
support for health-workers and systems and
organizations who may struggle to cope with the
demands in the early stages post-event.
6. Loss of, or effects to, local community services and
local health workers.
7. Difficulties in service delivery due to effects to
infrastructure and supplies – emergency medical, food
and water supplies, sanitation issues, destruction of
roads and access routes, transport and fuel availability,
health care buildings and facilities.
8. Common physical traumas caused by the event itself –
e.g. fractures, amputations, brain injury as well as the
needs of people with disabilities prior to the disaster.
9. Necessity to offer a coordinated approach between all
groups and organizations involved.
10.Building on existing local community coping
strategies.
11.Offering culturally and contextually appropriate
responses.
Mental Health Issues:
Persons affected by a disasters …are exposed to
extreme stress, immediately and over a period of years,
and are vulnerable to the development of serious mental
health problems and mental disorders. The early
intervention should include making effort in actively
engaging people in decision making, including about how
emergency care is to be provided, has shown to
markedly reduce the impact of trauma and promote
recovery (e.g. reduce psychosocial trauma and longer
term stress reactions).
It is important to consider the culture and socio-political
context - having people themselves be actively involved
in sorting out these things will improve the
appropriateness of the responses.
The National Vision on Disaster Management
On 23 December, 2005, the Government of India took a
defining step by enacting the Disaster Management Act,
2005, which envisaged the creation of the National
Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), headed by the
Prime Minister, State Disaster Management Authorities
(SDMAs) headed by the Chief Ministers, and District
Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) headed by the
Collector or District Magistrate or Deputy Commissioner as
the case may be, to spearhead and adopt a holistic and
integrated approach to DM.
The focus is: from the erstwhile relief-centric response to a
proactive prevention, mitigation and preparedness-driven
approach for conserving developmental gains and also to
minimize losses of life, livelihoods and property.
The Union Cabinet also approved the National Policy
on Disaster Management (NPDM) very recently on
Oct. 22nd, 2009.
It is prepared in tune with and in pursuance of the Disaster
Management Act, 2005 with a vision to build a safe and
disaster resilient India by developing a holistic, proactive,
multi-disaster oriented and technology driven strategy
through collective efforts of all Government Agencies and
Non-Governmental Organizations.
This will be achieved through a culture of prevention,
mitigation and preparedness to generate a prompt and
efficient response at the time of disasters. It will provide the
framework/roadmap for handling disasters in a holistic
manner.
The National Policy on Disaster Management
The Policy covers all aspects of disaster management
covering institutional, legal and financial arrangements;
disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness, techno-
legal regime; response, relief and rehabilitation;
reconstruction and recovery; capacity development;
knowledge management and research and development.
The NPDM addresses the concerns of all the sections of
the society including differently able persons, women,
children and other disadvantaged groups. In terms of
grant of relief and formulating measures for rehabilitation
of the affected persons due to disasters, the issue of
equity/inclusiveness has been accorded due
consideration.
The NPDM aims to bring in transparency and accountability
in all aspects of disaster management through involvement
of community, community based organizations, local bodies
and civil society.
The Policy represents merely the first step in the new
journey. It is an instrument that hopes to build the
overarching framework within which specific actions need to
be taken by various stakeholders including OT and health
professional at all levels.
India needs to make its Hospitals Disaster Resistant
According to WHO “Global Warming is increasing
every day, raising the chances of typhoons and
floods. In such a situation, the need is to have safer
hospitals with sufficient human resources to tackle
the surge of patients that would be impacted by
disaster.
In pursuance of it, WHO is spearheading the
campaign in disaster prone regions of S.E. Asia to
promote the concept of disaster- resilient health
facilities in its 11 member countries, including India.
The U.S. Agency for International Development
(USAID) is also committed to including people who
have physical and mental disabilities and those who
advocate and offer services on behalf of people with
disabilities. The commitment extends from the design
and implementation of USAID programming to
advocacy for and outreach to people with disabilities.
Future Plans in Respect to OT: AIOTA plans to
expend OT services if required in collaboration with WFOT
and other national and international agencies, for
expansion of OT services in DPR by:
Facilitating development of DP&R in OT
undergraduate and post graduate programs
Facilitating professional development in DP&R for
OTs who want to or may otherwise become engaged in
DP&R
Contributing to processes, to increase the number
of OTs available to work in DP&R and related
community based work roles
Mobilize access to learning-teaching materials and
resources in support of OT capacity building
Sharing national and international expertise,
experience and exchange programs
Sensitizing the key authorities in government, on
contribution of OT’s in DPR and involve them in the
planning/Implementing of the educative and
communicative program. Recommending to
Government for employment opportunities for OT’s
for community based roles
Propagating through media (Print, T.V., and Radio)
regarding achievements made by OT individuals and
groups from the field in DP&R related activities.
Natural disasters are often frightening and
difficult for us to understand, because we have
no control over, when and where they happen.
What we can control is how prepared we are as
professionals, communities and governments to
deal with the dangers that natural disasters
bring. The effects of disasters are made worse
by underdeveloped infrastructure and
widespread poverty in our country.
Tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes or any other
natural disaster can't be avoided, but with good
preparation and well-organized help after the
fact, it is possible to survive and go back to
normal life afterwards, with experience,
expertise and dedicated efforts of all concerned,
including we OT’s.
Acknowledgement
Inclusion of OT’s in Disaster Management is a brain child
of Kit Sinclair the immediate past President of WFOT. It
was her vision and the hard work and dedication that the
new area of OT practice has emerged. In support with
Kerry Thomas an OT and WFOT Consultant, she not
only organized Regional Workshop but the both also had
been the key persons in successful organization of
national workshops in Tsunami affected countries.
WFOT’s Disaster Preparedness & Response:
Information & Resource Package is document carrying
useful information, based on the report on Post Tsunami
situational analysis, outcomes of Regional and National
Workshops and useful linkage for further development of
this specific area. The encouragement and guidance
from Kit and Kerry to me in preparation for the COTE on
Disaster Management in OT is gratefully acknowledged.
My gratitude to AIOTA and ACOT EC for showing
confidence and faith on me for conducting the COTE on
an entirely new area of OT practice.
THANK YOU