GS Paper III · Disaster Management · Chapter 8 · Updated April 2026
🌍 International Conventions & Frameworks for DRR
IDNDR · Yokohama Strategy · Hyogo Framework · Sendai Framework · 7 Targets · 4 Priorities · UNDRR · GPDRR · CDRI · ICDRI 2025 · Early Warnings for All · India's International Engagement · BIMSTEC · SCO · Midterm Review · Mains PYQs
📅
Evolution of Global DRR Frameworks
IDNDR 1990s · Yokohama 1994 · Hyogo 2005 · Sendai 2015 · Timeline
📅 IDNDR — International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction1990–1999
About
UN declared 1990s as International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction. First global initiative to shift from disaster relief to disaster reduction. Led to awareness of risk reduction as development priority. Culminated in Yokohama Strategy.
📜 Yokohama Strategy & Plan of Action1994
Adopted
World Conference on Natural Disaster Reduction, Yokohama, Japan (1994).
Key
10 principles for safer world. Risk assessment as foundation of DRR. Preventive measures involving all levels of government. Technology sharing between developed and developing nations. Community involvement as indispensable element. First formal international framework for disaster reduction.
🏗️ Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA)2005–2015
Adopted
World Conference on Disaster Reduction, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan (Jan 2005). 168 countries endorsed.
Goal
Substantial reduction of disaster losses — in lives, social, economic and environmental assets.
5 Priorities
1. Make DRR a priority with institutional backing · 2. Identify, assess and monitor risks & enhance early warning · 3. Build a culture of safety and resilience · 4. Reduce underlying risk factors · 5. Strengthen disaster preparedness for effective response
Limits
Primarily focused on natural hazards. Limited health/biological component. Government-centric — less multi-stakeholder. No quantified global targets. No "Build Back Better" concept.
🌍 Sendai Framework for DRR2015–2030
Adopted
3rd UN World Conference on DRR, Sendai, Japan (18 Mar 2015). Endorsed by UNGA.
Scope
Successor to HFA. All hazards — natural, man-made, technological, biological, environmental. Much broader than HFA. Shift from disaster management to disaster risk management.
MTR 2023
Midterm Review (May 2023, UN HQ New York). Political Declaration adopted. Found: disaster mortality halved, multi-hazard EWS coverage doubled, but economic losses continue rising.
🌍
Sendai Framework — Deep Dive
Goal · 4 Priorities · 7 Targets · 38 Indicators · Build Back Better · Midterm Review 2023
📖 Goal"Prevent new and reduce existing disaster risk through implementation of integrated and inclusive economic, structural, legal, social, health, cultural, educational, environmental, technological, political and institutional measures that prevent and reduce hazard exposure and vulnerability to disaster, increase preparedness for response and recovery, and thus strengthen resilience."
🎯 4 Priorities for Action
Priority 1: Understanding Disaster Risk
Scope
Risk knowledge based on hazard, exposure, vulnerability, capacity data. Risk assessment, mapping, monitoring. Open access to data. Science-policy interface. Risk-informed decision-making.
Priority 2: Strengthening DRR Governance
Scope
DRR governance at national, regional, global levels. Clear institutional mechanisms. Integration of DRR into sectoral policies. Inter-ministerial coordination. Accountability frameworks. Community and private sector engagement.
Priority 3: Investing in DRR for Resilience
Scope
Public and private investment in structural and non-structural measures. Risk transfer and insurance. Resilient infrastructure. Protect livelihoods. Land-use planning. Building codes.
Priority 4: Enhancing Preparedness & "Build Back Better"
Scope
Multi-hazard early warning systems. Disaster preparedness for effective response. "Build Back Better" in recovery, rehabilitation, reconstruction. Use reconstruction as opportunity to enhance resilience. This priority is absent in HFA — key differentiator.
📊 7 Global Targets
Targets A–GQUANTIFIED
A
Reduce global disaster mortality substantially by 2030, aiming to lower per-100,000 average between 2020-2030 vs 2005-2015. PROGRESS Mortality declined 65% (from 2.11 to 0.75 per 100,000).
B
Reduce number of affected people globally by 2030.
C
Reduce direct disaster economic loss relative to global GDP by 2030.
D
Reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services — health/education facilities — including through resilient infrastructure.
E
Increase number of countries with national and local DRR strategies by 2020. PROGRESS 171 countries now reporting via Sendai Framework Monitor (Oct 2025).
F
Enhance international cooperation to developing countries through adequate, sustainable support for DRR.
G
Increase availability of multi-hazard EWS and disaster risk information. PROGRESS EWS coverage more than doubled. "Early Warnings for All" initiative launched.
📋 38 Indicators + Monitoring38 global indicators recommended by Open-ended Intergovernmental Expert Working Group. Track progress on 7 targets. Measured through Sendai Framework Monitor (SFM) — an online platform where countries report nationally. Custom national targets & indicators also allowed. Contributes to SDGs 1, 11, and 13. Biennial Global Assessment Reports (GAR) by UNDRR.
⚖️
Hyogo vs Sendai — Key Differences PYQ 2018
5 vs 4 Priorities · Scope · Targets · Build Back Better · Stakeholders · Health
🎯 Priorities
Hyogo
5 priority areas for action
Sendai
4 priorities + 7 quantified global targets with 38 indicators. More measurable & accountable.
🔍 Scope of Hazards
Hyogo
Primarily natural hazards
Sendai
All hazards — natural, man-made, technological, biological, environmental. Much broader.
🔄 Focus Shift
Hyogo
Disaster management
Sendai
Disaster risk management — upstream prevention, addressing root causes of vulnerability
🏗️ Build Back Better
Hyogo
Absent — no explicit concept
Sendai
Central to Priority 4 — reconstruction as opportunity for enhanced resilience
🤝 Stakeholders
Hyogo
Government-centric
Sendai
Multi-stakeholder — private sector, civil society, academia, media, communities explicitly included
🏥 Health
Hyogo
Limited health component
Sendai
Explicitly includes health resilience — systemic health risks, pandemic preparedness
📊 Data & Monitoring
Hyogo
Limited data focus, weak monitoring
Sendai
Strong emphasis on disaster databases, Sendai Framework Monitor, evidence-based DRR, open data
🏛️
UNDRR & Global Platforms
UNDRR · GPDRR · AMCDRR · Early Warnings for All · GAR · SFM
🏛️ UNDRR — UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
About
Focal point of the UN system for DRR. Oversees implementation of Sendai Framework. HQ: Geneva. Regional offices worldwide. Convenes GPDRR. Publishes Global Assessment Reports (GAR) biennially. Manages Sendai Framework Monitor. NEW Strategic Framework 2026–2030 being developed. Co-chairs Inter-Agency Expert Group on Disaster-Related Statistics — Global Framework expected UN Statistical Commission endorsement 2026.
🌐 GPDRR — Global Platform for DRR
About
Main global forum for strategic advice, coordination, partnership development and reviewing DRR progress. Held biennially. Convened by UNDRR.
🌏 AMCDRR — Asian Ministerial Conference on DRR
About
Regional platform for Asia-Pacific. India hosted 2016 edition in New Delhi — where PM announced 10-Point Agenda on DRR. Biennial meetings to review Sendai implementation in Asia.
📡 "Early Warnings for All" Initiative2022
About
Launched by UN Secretary General (2022). Goal: protect every person on earth by 2027 with multi-hazard early warning systems. Co-led by WMO and UNDRR. 4 pillars: Risk Knowledge, Monitoring & Forecasting, Dissemination, Response Capability. Directly supports Sendai Target G. India's Mission Mausam, CAP Sachet, Cell Broadcasting aligned with this initiative.
🏗️
CDRI — Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure
India-Led · 50 Members · ICDRI 2025 · IRIS · GIR 2025 · BIMSTEC Workshop
🏗️ CDRI — AboutINDIA-LED
Launched
2019 at UN Climate Action Summit, New York. By PM Modi. India's 2nd major global coalition after International Solar Alliance.
HQ
New Delhi. As of Sep 2025: 50 member countries, 10 partner organisations.
Themes
4 themes: Risk Assessment, Design Standards & Codes, Financing Mechanisms, Build Back Better in reconstruction. DRI adds 5-15% to upfront costs but yields 7-12x returns over asset lifecycles.
IRIS
Infrastructure for Resilient Island States programme — launched COP26, Glasgow 2021. Enhances SIDS infrastructure resilience. CDRI now works with 25 SIDS.
Alignment
Aligned with Sendai Framework, SDG 9 (Infrastructure) & SDG 13 (Climate Action). Bridges DRR and climate adaptation agendas.
📰 ICDRI 2025 — 7th EditionCURRENT
Venue
Nice, France (Jun 2025). First hosted in Europe. Theme: "Shaping a Resilient Future for Coastal Regions." 220 delegates from 52 countries.
Outcomes
Call to Action with 10 concrete steps: SIDS Global Data Hub 2.0, modular design codes, resilience units in finance ministries. PM Modi recalled India's cyclone shelter & tsunami warning progress. GIR 2025 (Global Infrastructure Resilience report) with 75+ case studies. Heat-Smart Schools Community of Practice convened.
📰 CDRI–BIMSTEC Workshop (Sep 2025)CURRENT
Details
New Delhi. 25 experts. Bay of Bengal faces $52 bn annual disaster losses. BIMSTEC SG highlighted cooperation for national system strengthening. Progress on BIMSTEC Disaster Management Centre in India.
🇮🇳
India's International DRR Engagement
PM's 10-Point Agenda · NDMP Alignment · BIMSTEC · SCO · IORA · GFDRR · HADR Operations
🇮🇳 PM's 10-Point Agenda on DRR (AMCDRR 2016, New Delhi)
1. DRR in all sectors · 2. Risk coverage — households to nations · 3. Women's leadership · 4. Global risk mapping · 5. Leverage technology · 6. University network for research · 7. Social media & mobile tech · 8. Build local capacity · 9. Learn from every disaster · 10. International cohesion
🌏 Multilateral Engagement
GPDRR participant · AMCDRR host (2016) · GFDRR co-chair of Consultative Group · UNDAC member · INSARAG participant · India co-chaired G20 DRR Working Group (2023)
🤝 Regional
BIMSTEC: DM Centre in India, joint exercises (DMEx-2020 Puri). SCO: DM cooperation. IORA: Indian Ocean DRR. SAARC: SDMC-Interim Unit. ARF: ASEAN Regional Forum on DRR.
🏗️ India-Led Coalitions
CDRI: 50 members, HQ New Delhi. ISA: International Solar Alliance. Both contribute to climate-DRR nexus. India as "Preferred Security Partner in IOR" through HADR operations.
🪖 HADR Diplomacy
Op Brahma (Myanmar 2025, 750 MT), Op Sagar Bandhu (Sri Lanka 2025), Op Sadbhav (Typhoon Yagi 2024). Tiger Triumph 2025 (India-US). Sanyukt Vimochan 2024. India as first responder in IOR — counters China's "disaster diplomacy."
📋 India's NDMP–Sendai AlignmentIndia's NDMP 2016/2019 is uniquely aligned with three global frameworks simultaneously: Sendai Framework for DRR (4 priorities → 5 thematic areas), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 1, 11, 13), and Paris Agreement on Climate Change. This triple alignment is a key differentiator — always cite it in Mains answers. The DM Amendment Act 2025 further operationalises this by including DRR in the statutory definition of DM and mandating a National Disaster Database.
📝
Mains PYQs & Mock Questions
Previous Year Questions · Answer Frameworks
📝 PYQ 2018 — Sendai vs Hyogo (250W, 15M) DIRECTLY ASKED
Describe various measures taken in India for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) before and after signing 'Sendai Framework for DRR (2015-2030)'. How is this framework different from 'Hyogo Framework for Action, 2005'? (250 Words, 15 Marks)
Intro: India progressively strengthened DRR. Sendai (2015) marks global shift from disaster management to disaster risk management.
Before Sendai: DM Act 2005 — three-tier structure · NPDM 2009 — proactive, holistic vision · NCRMP (World Bank) — cyclone shelters · INCOIS — tsunami EWS · NBC — earthquake-resistant codes · CWC flood forecasting · IMD Doppler radars · Vulnerability Atlas (BMPTC).
After Sendai (2015+): NDMP 2016 (first national plan, aligned with Sendai) · NDMP 2019 — broader scope (climate, bio, cyber) · PM's 10-Point Agenda (AMCDRR 2016) · CDRI — India-led, 50 members · Mission Mausam (2024-26) AI/ML · DM Amendment Act 2025 — UDMA, Database, DRR in definition · Aapda Mitra 1L volunteers · Operation Abhyaas 2025 (244 districts) · ₹507 cr CBDRR Project (Dec 2025).
Key differences: (a) Scope: Hyogo — natural. Sendai — all hazards. (b) Focus: Management → Risk management. (c) Priorities: 5 (HFA) → 4 + 7 quantified targets (Sendai). (d) BBB: Absent → Central to Priority 4. (e) Stakeholders: Govt-centric → multi-stakeholder. (f) Health: Limited → explicit. (g) Data: Weak → SFM + 38 indicators.
Conclude: India aligned NDMP with Sendai + SDGs + Paris (triple alignment). But NDMP sets no quantified targets — a gap vs Sendai's measurability.
Before Sendai: DM Act 2005 — three-tier structure · NPDM 2009 — proactive, holistic vision · NCRMP (World Bank) — cyclone shelters · INCOIS — tsunami EWS · NBC — earthquake-resistant codes · CWC flood forecasting · IMD Doppler radars · Vulnerability Atlas (BMPTC).
After Sendai (2015+): NDMP 2016 (first national plan, aligned with Sendai) · NDMP 2019 — broader scope (climate, bio, cyber) · PM's 10-Point Agenda (AMCDRR 2016) · CDRI — India-led, 50 members · Mission Mausam (2024-26) AI/ML · DM Amendment Act 2025 — UDMA, Database, DRR in definition · Aapda Mitra 1L volunteers · Operation Abhyaas 2025 (244 districts) · ₹507 cr CBDRR Project (Dec 2025).
Key differences: (a) Scope: Hyogo — natural. Sendai — all hazards. (b) Focus: Management → Risk management. (c) Priorities: 5 (HFA) → 4 + 7 quantified targets (Sendai). (d) BBB: Absent → Central to Priority 4. (e) Stakeholders: Govt-centric → multi-stakeholder. (f) Health: Limited → explicit. (g) Data: Weak → SFM + 38 indicators.
Conclude: India aligned NDMP with Sendai + SDGs + Paris (triple alignment). But NDMP sets no quantified targets — a gap vs Sendai's measurability.
🎯 Mock — CDRI & India's Global DRR Leadership (250W, 15M)
Critically analyse India's initiative for the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). How does it contribute to global disaster risk reduction and India's strategic interests?
Intro: CDRI launched by PM Modi at 2019 UN Climate Action Summit. India's 2nd major global coalition after ISA. 50 members, HQ New Delhi. 75% of global infrastructure yet to be built (mostly Global South).
Contribution to DRR: (a) 4 themes: Risk Assessment, Design Standards, Financing, Build Back Better, (b) IRIS programme for SIDS resilience (COP26), (c) DRI adds 5-15% upfront cost but yields 7-12x returns, (d) Bridges DRR + climate adaptation agendas, (e) Aligned with Sendai, SDG 9, SDG 13, (f) ICDRI 2025 (Nice) — 10-point Call to Action, SIDS Data Hub 2.0, modular codes, (g) GIR 2025 report — 75+ case studies, (h) Heat-Smart Schools CoP, (i) CDRI-BIMSTEC workshop (Sep 2025) — Bay of Bengal $52 bn annual losses.
Strategic interests: (a) Soft power — India as global governance leader, (b) Positions India as "first responder" in IOR + SIDS, (c) Counters China's Belt & Road narrative with resilience-focused infrastructure, (d) Leverages India's own DM experience (1999 cyclone → 90% mortality reduction), (e) Aligns with Neighbourhood First + SAGAR vision, (f) G20 DRR WG co-chair (2023).
Challenges: Funding gaps for developing members. Implementation varies. Needs stronger monitoring. Competing with BRI's speed and scale. CDRI's own infra at home still developing (UDMA nascent).
Conclude: CDRI transforms India from a DRR participant to a global DRR leader. Its success will be measured by whether it shifts global infrastructure from reactive rebuilding to proactive resilience — especially in the Global South where 75% of future infra is yet to be built.
Contribution to DRR: (a) 4 themes: Risk Assessment, Design Standards, Financing, Build Back Better, (b) IRIS programme for SIDS resilience (COP26), (c) DRI adds 5-15% upfront cost but yields 7-12x returns, (d) Bridges DRR + climate adaptation agendas, (e) Aligned with Sendai, SDG 9, SDG 13, (f) ICDRI 2025 (Nice) — 10-point Call to Action, SIDS Data Hub 2.0, modular codes, (g) GIR 2025 report — 75+ case studies, (h) Heat-Smart Schools CoP, (i) CDRI-BIMSTEC workshop (Sep 2025) — Bay of Bengal $52 bn annual losses.
Strategic interests: (a) Soft power — India as global governance leader, (b) Positions India as "first responder" in IOR + SIDS, (c) Counters China's Belt & Road narrative with resilience-focused infrastructure, (d) Leverages India's own DM experience (1999 cyclone → 90% mortality reduction), (e) Aligns with Neighbourhood First + SAGAR vision, (f) G20 DRR WG co-chair (2023).
Challenges: Funding gaps for developing members. Implementation varies. Needs stronger monitoring. Competing with BRI's speed and scale. CDRI's own infra at home still developing (UDMA nascent).
Conclude: CDRI transforms India from a DRR participant to a global DRR leader. Its success will be measured by whether it shifts global infrastructure from reactive rebuilding to proactive resilience — especially in the Global South where 75% of future infra is yet to be built.
🎯 Mock — Sendai Midterm & Way Forward (150W, 10M)
The Sendai Framework's Midterm Review (2023) found that while disaster mortality has halved, economic losses continue to rise. Discuss the implications and suggest a way forward for the remaining years of the framework (2024-2030).
MTR findings: (a) Disaster mortality declined 65% (2.11 → 0.75 per 100K), (b) Multi-hazard EWS coverage more than doubled, (c) 171 countries reporting via SFM, (d) BUT economic losses continue rising — threatening SDG progress, (e) Disaster displacement escalating, (f) Climate change making risks systemic and interconnected.
Implications: Success in saving lives (EWS, evacuation, NDRF-type forces). Failure in preventing economic damage (resilient infrastructure gap, unplanned urbanisation, climate amplification). Developing nations bear disproportionate burden — climate justice gap.
Way forward (2024-2030): (a) Accelerate investment in resilient infrastructure (CDRI model), (b) Complete Early Warnings for All by 2027, (c) Integrate DRR into climate adaptation financing, (d) Strengthen local governance (PRIs, ULBs — India's ₹507 cr CBDRR model), (e) Address data gaps — Global Disaster-Related Statistics Framework (expected 2026), (f) Private sector engagement — insurance, risk transfer, (g) Nature-based solutions at scale, (h) Mainstream DRR into all sectoral policies — not just DM ministries.
Conclude: Sendai's remaining 5 years must shift from saving lives (largely achieved) to protecting livelihoods and assets. The Political Declaration of MTR (Resolution 77/289) reaffirmed commitment — but implementation acceleration is non-negotiable.
Implications: Success in saving lives (EWS, evacuation, NDRF-type forces). Failure in preventing economic damage (resilient infrastructure gap, unplanned urbanisation, climate amplification). Developing nations bear disproportionate burden — climate justice gap.
Way forward (2024-2030): (a) Accelerate investment in resilient infrastructure (CDRI model), (b) Complete Early Warnings for All by 2027, (c) Integrate DRR into climate adaptation financing, (d) Strengthen local governance (PRIs, ULBs — India's ₹507 cr CBDRR model), (e) Address data gaps — Global Disaster-Related Statistics Framework (expected 2026), (f) Private sector engagement — insurance, risk transfer, (g) Nature-based solutions at scale, (h) Mainstream DRR into all sectoral policies — not just DM ministries.
Conclude: Sendai's remaining 5 years must shift from saving lives (largely achieved) to protecting livelihoods and assets. The Political Declaration of MTR (Resolution 77/289) reaffirmed commitment — but implementation acceleration is non-negotiable.
⚡ Quick Revision — International DRR Frameworks
📜 Yokohama → Hyogo → Sendai
Key
Yokohama (1994): 10 principles. HFA (2005-15): 5 priorities, no targets, natural hazards. Sendai (2015-30): 4 priorities, 7 targets, 38 indicators, all hazards, BBB, multi-stakeholder, health. MTR 2023: mortality halved, economic losses rising.
🏛️ UNDRR & Platforms
Key
UNDRR: Geneva, oversees Sendai, publishes GAR, manages SFM. GPDRR: biennial forum. AMCDRR: Asia-Pacific. Early Warnings for All: every person by 2027 (WMO+UNDRR).
🏗️ CDRIINDIA-LED
Key
50 members, HQ New Delhi (2019). 4 themes. IRIS for SIDS. ICDRI 2025 Nice. DRI = 5-15% cost, 7-12x returns. CDRI-BIMSTEC Sep 2025. India's 2nd global coalition.
🇮🇳 India's Role
Key
PM's 10-Point Agenda. NDMP triple alignment (Sendai+SDGs+Paris). GFDRR co-chair. BIMSTEC DM Centre. HADR diplomacy (Op Brahma, Sagar Bandhu). G20 DRR WG 2023.
🚨 5 UPSC Traps — International Frameworks:
Trap 1 — "Sendai and Hyogo are the same" → WRONG! Hyogo: 5 priorities, natural hazards, govt-centric, no BBB, no targets. Sendai: 4 priorities + 7 targets + 38 indicators, all hazards, multi-stakeholder, BBB central, health explicit. Asked directly in UPSC 2018.
Trap 2 — "Sendai Framework is binding" → WRONG! Sendai is voluntary — not legally binding. Countries report voluntarily through SFM. 171 countries report but compliance varies widely.
Trap 3 — "India's NDMP has quantified targets like Sendai" → WRONG! Sendai has 7 specific global targets. India's NDMP sets no quantified goals or targets. This is the most important critique for balanced Mains answers.
Trap 4 — "CDRI was launched at COP26" → WRONG! CDRI was launched at the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit in New York. IRIS (Infrastructure for Resilient Island States) was launched at COP26 Glasgow 2021. Don't confuse the two.
Trap 5 — "Early Warnings for All is a Sendai initiative" → PARTIALLY! It was launched by the UN Secretary General in 2022 and is co-led by WMO and UNDRR. It supports Sendai Target G but is a separate initiative with its own 2027 target. India's Mission Mausam, CAP Sachet, Cell Broadcasting align with it.
Trap 1 — "Sendai and Hyogo are the same" → WRONG! Hyogo: 5 priorities, natural hazards, govt-centric, no BBB, no targets. Sendai: 4 priorities + 7 targets + 38 indicators, all hazards, multi-stakeholder, BBB central, health explicit. Asked directly in UPSC 2018.
Trap 2 — "Sendai Framework is binding" → WRONG! Sendai is voluntary — not legally binding. Countries report voluntarily through SFM. 171 countries report but compliance varies widely.
Trap 3 — "India's NDMP has quantified targets like Sendai" → WRONG! Sendai has 7 specific global targets. India's NDMP sets no quantified goals or targets. This is the most important critique for balanced Mains answers.
Trap 4 — "CDRI was launched at COP26" → WRONG! CDRI was launched at the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit in New York. IRIS (Infrastructure for Resilient Island States) was launched at COP26 Glasgow 2021. Don't confuse the two.
Trap 5 — "Early Warnings for All is a Sendai initiative" → PARTIALLY! It was launched by the UN Secretary General in 2022 and is co-led by WMO and UNDRR. It supports Sendai Target G but is a separate initiative with its own 2027 target. India's Mission Mausam, CAP Sachet, Cell Broadcasting align with it.
