Lok Sabha Question No. 1153 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-03
Subject: Impact of Climate Change on PwDs
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Bastipati Nagaraju, Shri Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1153

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2024

## IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON PwDS

## 1153. Shri Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu

Shri Bastipati Nagaraju:

Will the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether the  Government  has  a  dedicated  policy  framework  to  address  the  rescue  and rehabilitation of Persons  with Disabilities  (PwDs)  during climate  change-induced extreme weather events, such as floods and cyclones, particularly in disaster-prone States like Andhra Pradesh;
- (b) (b)  if so, the details of the measures implemented to ensure that PwDs have accessible healthcare, food, water and infrastructure during such disasters; and
- (c) Whether the Government has any specific programs to address the increased vulnerability  and  mortality  risk  faced  by  people  with  psychosocial  disabilities  during extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and if not, whether any such framework is under consideration?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI B L VERMA)

(a), (b) & (c):  The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 was enacted, replacing the  erstwhile  Persons  with  Disabilities  (Equal  Opportunities,  Protection  of  Rights,  and  Full Participation) Act, 1995, and it came into force on 19.04.2017.

Section  8  of  RPwD  Act  provides  that  the  PwDs  shall  have  equal  protection  and  safety  in situations of risk, armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters. The National Disaster  Management  Authority  (NDMA)  and  the  State    Disaster  Management  Authority  are mandated to take appropriate measures to ensure inclusion of PwDs in its disaster management activities  as  defined  under  section  2(e)  of  Disaster  Management  Act,  2005  for  the  safety  and protection  of  PwDs.  It  further  provides  that  the  District  Disaster  Management  Authority constituted  under  Section  25  of  the  Disaster  Management  Act,  2005  shall  maintain  record  of details  of  PwDs  in  the  district  and  take  suitable  measures  to  inform  such  persons  of  any situations of risk so as to enhance disaster preparedness. The authorities engaged in reconstruction activities subsequent to any situation of risk, armed conflict or natural disasters are mandated to undertake such activities in consultation with the concerned State Commissioner, in accordance with the accessibility requirements of PwDs.

Section 24 (3) (c) of RPwD Act, 2016 provides that the appropriate Government shall within the limit of its economic capacity and development formulate necessary schemes and programmes to support PwDs during natural or man-made disasters and in areas of conflict.

Section 25 (2) (i) of the Act provides that the appropriate Government and the local authorities shall take necessary measures for the persons with disabilities to provide  healthcare during the time of natural disasters and other situations of risk.

NDMA released National Disaster Management Guidelines on Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DIDRR)  in September, 2019. The main aim was to provide directions to Departments,  States  and  concerned  stakeholders,  to  support  implementation  mechanism  of DIDDR. While the guidelines focus on inclusivity in disaster management frameworks, they do not explicitly detail protocols for rescue and rehabilitation. Rescue and rehabilitation measures for PwDs during disasters are generally implemented at the state and district levels, guided by the State Disaster Management Plans (SDMPs).

National  Cyclone  Risk  Mitigation  Project  (NCRMP)    Phase-1  was  implemented  in  States  of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha and details of project are as under :-

## Components:

I. Component A: Early Warning Dissemination System (EWDS)

II.Component B: Cyclone Risk Mitigation Infrastructure (CRMI)

III. Component C: Technical Assistance for Capacity Building on Disaster Risk  Management

IV.Component D: Project Management and Monitoring

## Funding Pattern:

Components  A,  C,  and  D  -  100%  by  Government  of  India  through  World  Bank assistance;

Component  B  -  75%  Government  of  India  through  World  Bank  assistance  and  the remaining 25% by respective States from their own resources.

## Project Development Objective:

To reduce vulnerability to cyclones and other hydro-meteorological hazards of coastal communities in the Andhra Pradesh  and Odisha to increase the capacity of the State entities to effectively plan for and respond to disasters.

## Implementation:

Phase I was approved for implementation in Andhra Pradesh  and Odisha at a cost of Rs.1496 . 71 Crore  in  January  2011  with  the  date  of  completion  as  January  2016,  with  World  Bank Assistance.  It  was  further  revised  to Rs.  2541.60  Crore  with  the  date  of  completion  as December, 2018. Phase I stands completed with an expenditure of Rs. 2,524.84 Crore.

## Physical Progress:

- i. Early Warning Dissemination System (EWDS):The EWDS, the state-of-the-art multitechnology  option  (Alert  Siren,  Satellite  Radio,  Mass  Messaging,  etc.)  to  provide  reliable communication by ensuring last-mile connectivity during disasters has been commissioned and is operational in coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
- ii. Cyclone Risk Mitigation Infrastructure (CRMI) :-The CRMI enhances the preparedness and mitigates the vulnerability of coastal communities through investments for the construction  of  multi-purpose  cyclone  shelters  (MPCS),  roads,  bridges,  underground  electric cabling and saline embankments. The infrastructure created under the project is as under:

| Sub-component          | Andhra Pradesh   | Odisha       |
|------------------------|------------------|--------------|
| 219                    | 316              | MPCS (No.)   |
| 698.02                 | -                | Roads (Km)   |
| 35                     | -                | Bridge (No.) |
| Saline Embankment (Km) | 58.22            | 29.90        |

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