Conferences are often considered to be serious, erudite and academic. But if you happened to attend the Disaster management conference organised by Aidmatrix in New Delhi on Friday, you might have changed your mind. The first session, which also saw the launch of Corporate Disaster Resource Network (CDRN), became the scene of hot discussion where volley of questions were tossed from the audience to the speakers. It was the question-answer session, which brought vibrancy and fizz to the conference and brought synergy for future action plan.

The conference was held under the aegis of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and was supported by Thomex.com, a leading portal of product information exchange, SAP, Accenture, Sphere India, Centre for Environment Education, The Global Foodbanking Network and International Association of Emergency Managers.

Giving a touch of novelty to the conference was the lighting of e-lamp by JK Sinha, Member, National Disaster Management Authority and Governor Scott McCallum, CEO Aidmatrix Foundation to mark the launch of CDRN. A detailed discussion on 'combating climate change for disaster reduction and sustainable business' focussed on the role of Corporate India in managing the post-disaster scenario in the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Scott McCallum said that in time of disaster, sharing information and making it available to stakeholders was of vital importance. He lauded the efforts of NDMA in overseeing the preparedness at both the policy and execution levels. The other issue that McCallum stressed was the need of technology and its transfer from high-skilled to technology-deficit area.

CDRN is a logistics, administrative and financial coordination tool to help relief and response agencies & local governments to access real time information on products and services required for emergency needs.

Vinod Chandra Menon, Member NDMA, gave a detailed description of the need of disaster management in restoring normalcy and narrated his experience during natural calamities - Tsunami and floods in various parts of the country. He said that disaster in Chinese mean danger and opportunity. "With every calamity there is certain amount of crisis involved. And the best way to overcome is by strengthening our preparedness," he said.

Menon said that there are more than 500 million people living in the coastal India and are exposed to cyclones and Tsunamis. "To manage such a huge population during the time of calamity, the Govt, Civil Society Organisations and the corporate leaders must come together to handle the crisis, " he said. Menon opined that the concept of mobile hospitals with medical services and life-saving facilities can go a long way in strengthening the system.

The conference felt that civil society organisations could play a crucial role in establishing equilibrium at local levels at the time of disaster. Citing the example of floods in Bihar, the speakers felt that introduction of winter crop can go a long way in mitigating the sufferings of flood-affected people. The conference also felt that a sustainable programme was required to integrate and coordinate the efforts between civil societies and the corporate world.

Stressing the importance of stakeholders in managing disaster, NM Prusty of Sphere India, said that giving a 'life of dignity' to disaster victims by way of proper coordination between CSO and Corporate India could prove very effective. He felt that it will engage people in more meaningful ways.

Citing the example of recent disasters like floods in Tucumain, Argentina in 2007; in Tabasco, Mexico in 2007 and Hurricane Katrina in the US in 2005, Chris Rebstock of Global Food Banking Network, USA said that collecting surplus food from government, retailers, grocers and other agencies provide a viable food resource to victims at the time of disaster."

While Wing Commander (Rtd) Dinesh Mathur of Red Cross explained the role of his organisation in providing medical facilities at the time of disaster, Franklin Joseph, Director HEA deliberated on the cross-sector partnership for disaster management between the corporate houses and NGOs. He called for a feasible Corporate Investment models and new commercial initiatives.

But the most refreshing voice during the conference came from none other than JK Sinha, Member, NDMA who assured the audience that the Govt was open to new ideas and new ways of tackling the disaster management issues. He said that the Govt was working towards establishing a consensus between various stakeholders in ensuring timely and effective delivery of relief materials to the victims at the time of disaster.