A Case Study in Uttarakhand, Northern India - Geological & Mining ...

disaster will always necessitate vulnerability mapping, needs assessments, andrecovery strategies in areas exposed to natural hazards. By integratingpreparedness programmes and working on existing local development projectspre- and post-disaster, vulnerabilities to hazard and risk, and the subsequent needfor, or dependency on, assistance can be greatly reduced.NGOs are no longer confined to offering a quick fix for short-term rehabilitation.Instead they can be a means of facilitating sustainable recovery and development,in turn empowering locals to manage their own environments. While improvingcoordination with all stakeholders, pressure can be put on top-down powerstructures responsible for the decisions that shape policy for these environments.Disaster mitigation and preparedness strategies most certainly need to bemainstreamed in the near future. NGOs are well positioned to facilitate this processthrough achieving improved coordination and a higher level of professionalismwithin this field.The Role of NGOs in Disaster Mitigation and Response – A Case Study in Uttarakhand, Northern India 75