1. INTRODUCTION

Depending on the nature of disaster and the type of damage, it may be necessary to set-up a
number of relief camps and/or cattle camps.· In such a situation, the DDM may decide to
set-up a Site Operations Centre to reduce the pressure on DCR for field coordination.
Depending on the disaster locations and the number of camp sites, the DDM may decide
to set-up more than one Site Operations Centre. The Site Operation Centre and the camps
would be wound up after the relief and rehabilitation work is called off or after the relief
camps and cattle camps are dismantled whichever is later.
The Site Operations Centre will be managed by Site Manager of the rank of Sub-Divisional
Officer/Deputy Collector.
It may be noted that a coordinating structure of this type may have many areas of overlap
with the DCR and therefore the activities need not be duplicated. The basic functions of the
Site Operations Centre will be to facilitate communication and coordination between DCR
and the camp sites.
2. Relief Camps :
Relief Camps would be set-up preferably on settlement lines and unless the disaster
is a localised phenomenon, the DDM may decide to set-up as many camps as the number of
villages affected. Also the size of the camp will be one of the considerations particularly in
urban areas to decide on the number. The administrative structure for such relief camps
responsible for direct service to “victims” is given in Table III. Each relief camp will be
assigned to a Camp Officer, of the rank of Tahsildar. In some of the disasters, it may be
necessary to set-up Feeding centres only for the victims.
The DDM may agree to assign some such relief camps or feeding centres to willing
non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with demonstrated capability and required
manpower. However, such camps would also come under coordinating mechanisms
established through Site Operations Centre/s or DCR.
1) Encouraging Community Preparedness :
Disasters may result in cutting off essential services and in spite of administrative
preparedness it may not be possible for the administration to reach out immediately.
Mitigation efforts and preparation of the disaster management action plan for local
areas are essential elements and pre-requisites. Preparedness to a large extent would reduce
the impact and the damage. Training and simulation exercises for enhancing the
community’s preparedness and response capability will simultaneously strengthen and
enhance the capacity of the administration to undertake necessary preparedness or
evacuation measures. The district administration is encouraging and supporting initiatives
towards community preparedness measures including formation of Community Emergency
Response Teams (CERTs).
On the basis of discussions, apart from the NGOs mentioned earlier, the following
Private Sector units, Mahila Mandals and CBOs have been identified as resource groups for
involvement in community preparedness measures. They will all undergo training for the
C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\C.Lotus.Notes.DataRevised Grain Bank