India’s new plan to tackle disasters fails to address the needs of vulnerable groups, which could lead to millions of women, children, disabled and elderly people as well as lower caste and tribal communities being put at further risk, aid workers said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled India’s first National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) last week. The plan aims to boost resilience to earthquakes, cyclones and floods and reduce deaths by focusing on early warning, response and recovery.
While the United Nations and relief agencies have generally welcomed the plan, some aid groups say there are serious gaps.