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the global analysis of the country-level information submitted by countries and documented in the biennial
Global Assessment Reports. In addition to the 38 global indicators, there are custom targets and indicators.
The custom targets and indicators are nationally defined instruments by Member States to measure their
progress against the four priorities of the Sendai Framework. They are based on the priorities of respective
countries and are reflected in the national Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) reports of the countries.

The Sendai Framework is the successor instrument to the Hyogo Framework (2005-2015) for Action
(https://www.unisdr.org/2005/wcdr/intergover/official-doc/L-docs/Hyogo-framework-for-action
english.pdf). The World Conference on Disaster Reduction was held in 2005 in Hyogo, Japan, and
adopted the present Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and
Communities to Disasters. The Conference provided a unique opportunity to promote a strategic and
systematic approach to reducing vulnerabilities and risks to hazards. It underscored the need for and
identified ways of building the resilience of nations and communities to disasters.

The Hyogo Framework for Action (2005-2015) led to the passage of the National Disaster
Management Act in December 2005 in India. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
is the highest authority in India for disaster management. The Prime Minister of India is the NDMA’s
chairman. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is the “Nodal Ministry” in charge of managing natural
disasters in the central government. The Central Government is in charge of providing aid and assistance
to the affected state in the event of “calamities of severe nature.” The National Disaster Management
Authority controls the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). The Government of India established
NDRF as a specialized force for disaster response under the Disaster Management Act of 2005. All three
wings of the Indian Armed Forces have people working in NDRF. The NDRF has been instrumental in
helping India and other countries respond to catastrophes ever since it was founded. The main goal of
NDRF is to respond to emergencies and disasters promptly, adequately, and effectively. The NDRF has
a well-trained staff that is equipped with specialized rescue equipment to handle any emergency. In
times of calamity, the military is also in charge of providing humanitarian aid.

The NDRF (https://www.careers360.com/ndrf-full-form) consists of 16 battalions, and these units
have received training to handle both natural and man-made disasters, including biological, chemical,
nuclear, and radiological emergencies. The NDRF is a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency body made up of
employees from all military branches in India as well as other governmental organizations. As per
Section 3.4.5 of National Policy on Disaster Management 2009, the State Governments are required to
raise their own State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to quickly respond to disasters (https://
ndmindia.mha.gov.in/state-response-force). The SDRF can also be used for Community Capacity Building
and Awareness Generation programmes within the State. During these programmes, SDRF can familiarize
themselves with terrain, critical buildings and other existing infrastructure for prompt responses at the
time of disasters and simultaneously work with the community, including school children, village
volunteers and other stakeholders, on what to do during disasters.

India has now initiated a new workstream in G20 highlighting the importance of disaster risk
reduction. According to Mr Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa (“For safety’s sake”, Indian Express, 16
May 2023), the G20’s new Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group (DRRWG) has recognized the
importance of prioritizing disaster risk financing: “The DRRWG is expected to offer an extensive overview
of disaster risk assessment and financing practices across a wide range of economies, and support