This document highlights the vulnerable status of the state in terms of natural disasters and highlights the urgent need for a disaster management strategy for the state.

The objectives of the Kerala state disaster management policy include:

• To develop and ensure policy, institutional and techno – legal frameworks for disaster management in the state
• To develop and maintain proactive governance and systems, and promote research and development for Disaster risk management strategies for  disaster prevention and mitigation.
• To establish effective disaster crisis management through the organisation and management of resources and responsibilities for dealing with all aspects of emergencies with respect to response, rehabilitation and reconstruction.
• To strengthen the capacities and resilience of vulnerable communities with special emphasis on empowerment of women and establish community level systems for pre, during and post disaster interventions.
• To build capacities and promote positive changes in the administrative systems, procedures and personnel that would facilitate efficient and effective pre and post disaster activities.
• To institutionalise disaster management in government as envisaged in DM Act, 2005 and to mainstream disaster management in to developmental planning.

The policy affirms appropriate balance and interrelationship with the ‘National Policy on Disaster Management’ and ‘Disaster Management Act, 2005’ and also ensures coordination amidst all agencies related to Disaster Management.

The document goes on to describe the details of the stakeholders that will be involved in the process of  implementation of the policy and the steps or phases involved while managing disasters.

The original document can be viewed here on the Government of Kerala website

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