India leading the way by including animals in National Disaster Management Plan

Measures to protect, rescue and care for animals during disasters, will now be standard across all disaster management planning, ensuring animals are never the forgotten victims of disasters.

World Animal Protection, working with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), has ensured animal welfare, and the protection of animals in emergencies, is now fully integrated into disaster management planning.

This pioneering approach will offer a lifeline to animals, and the people who rely on them for their livelihoods, across India.

Shri. R K Jain, Member, National Disaster Management Authority, says: “NDMA and the Government of India recognise the need to protect animals in disasters. The inclusion of animals in the national plan is key step forward. Protecting animals not only protects livelihoods, but is our moral responsibility. India is now one of the leading nations to include the rescue, relief and rehabilitation of animals during disasters in their national disaster management plan. I express my sincere gratitude to World Animal Protection, People Perspective Foundation, and other stakeholders for their valuable contribution.”

Echoing those comments, Gajender Sharma, Country Director, World Animal Protection India, says “It’s been a long journey to integrate animals into the core of disaster management.  We are delighted our partnership with the National Disaster Management Authority, has seen our recommendations on animal protection and welfare, including building resilience for the safety, evacuation and rehabilitation of animals, provision of food and fodder, and focus on disaster training, included in the national plan.”

“We extend our sincere gratitude to the National Disaster Management Authority and Ministry of Home Affairs for integrating animals into the National Disaster Management Plan. We are delighted the Government of India are supportive of achieving milestones for animals in disasters. We now urge state governments to include animals in their respective state disaster management plans, to safeguard the welfare of more animals in emergencies.”

The animal perspective covered in the National Disaster Management Plan includes:

• Search, Rescue and Evacuation of People and Animals
• Prepare handbook/manuals and SOPs for evacuation of people and animals
• Detailed plans for close coordination with the State Government for managing the removal/disposal of carcass of animals from the affected areas as soon as possible
• Rehabilitation and Ensuring Safety of Livestock and other Animals; Identifications of safe building and sites to serve as temporary shelters for people and livestock evacuated from localities at risk
• Provision of Fodder for Livestock in scarcity-hit areas; When required mobilize fodder and cattle feed to meet shortages as in drought or scarcity conditions
• Enlist PSUs and private agencies for providing fodder and other support
• Include provisions for evacuation, safety, and rehabilitation of animals in State Disaster Management Plan
• Rehabilitation of agriculture, artisan work and animal husbandry
• Training and orientation programs for State Government staff and other direct stakeholders such as civil society, media persons, elected representatives, professionals for veterinary care and support to disaster-affected animals
• Incorporating disaster response, search and rescue in the training programs of youth, such as village volunteers, protection of disaster affected animals