Despite SMRC’s campaign the response was simply not there. SMRC with financial assistance of Cord Aid and later Action Aid started to provide relief and rehabilitation to the disabled affected by the cyclone. It resettled about 3000 persons with disabilities in the process in the area of Jagatsingpur which was affected the most.

The methodology was comprehensive rehabilitation of disabled from medical treatment, barrier free housing to social inclusion. At this stage preparedness could not be taken up. In 2004 after recurring floods had hit the State and in India disasters were coming to the forefront, SMRC then initiated a full-fledged campaign on disaster preparedness and response . This time round it

The Campaign is based on

1. Research both field based and conceptual.
2. Setting up Standards at all levels from international to local
3. Networking with agencies and institutions interested in eth subject

Since 2004 its work has included

Research

1. Developed a Training Manual to address needs of disabled. Majority training modules reviewed did not have a disability component. Very few modules have included disability but again in a very peripheral way.

2. Study in Orissa's worst affected district Jagatsinghpur, Orissa to know the status of PWDs.

i. Field Data from after super cyclone in Orissa, Tsunami in South Asia and the Kashmir Earthquake showed that Research & Development on the impact of social, health and psychological trauma must be encouraged to reduce the incidence of disasters.
ii. Even the very basic needs of PWDs have been neglected during (Pre-Disaster, During Disaster and After Disaster).
iii. Stakeholders were not aware about even broad management of disability.
iv. No funding was available for disability
v. Cyclone shelters, school buildings and other structures used for disasters were not accessible to the disabled

Standards

Setting National and Local Standards

1. Studied the existing disaster relief codes, the national disaster act, training modules developed by various agencies including Sphere and found that:

a. Relief codes do not address special needs meaningfully such as emergency warning in accessible format for disabled, independent accessibility to shelters, communications that can be understood by disabled (Blind, Hearing Impaired) etc. In relief codes of some states disabled are covered under vulnerable groups in a casual manner. Disaster Management Act' 2005, do not accommodate needs of PWDs.

Setting International Standards

i. With the Tsunami hitting Asia, the matter became international, and opportunities were seen that perhaps International Standards could be set with the Inclusion of PWDs in Disaster Preparedness, Management and Response. SMRC approached the Global Health Research Forum (part of WHO) to start discussions at the international level. As such a meeting at Mumbai Forum 9 was used to take the agenda forward.
ii. Inclusion in UN Disability Convention. As a member of the UN Ad Hoc Committee on Disability SMRC participated in the negotiations of the Convention. It participated specifically in introduction of Art 11
iii. Inclusion in other agenda’s As Associate member of Rehabilitation International it has pushed the agenda for the inclusion of disaster response.

3. SMRC reviewed composition of various committees, task force, peer groups at various level formed for disaster management and preparedness, and found that:

a. People with Disabilities or experts in disabilities management were not included.

b. The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment dealing with PWDs was not represented.

• Download Training Manual for Inclusion of Disability in
  Disaster Response

• Download Concept note on international standard setting workshop held in Mumbai

• Download Proceedings of International Standard Setting Workshop Held in Mumbai