As disasters are increasing in the world, career
opportunities in disaster management are also increasing. If we talk about
disasters, there are three types of disasters. One , natural disasters like
earthquake , sea storm ,
tsunami , flood etc. Two, man-made disasters such as the Bhopal gas
tragedy and the devastation in Ukraine caused by the Russo-Ukrainian war and
three, Hybrid disasters such as the Corona pandemic , disasters arising from environmental destruction , etc. These disasters
cause huge losses to life and property.
The importance of disaster management during natural disasters
It is noteworthy that about 60 percent of our country is prone to earthquakes. 8 percent area is vulnerable to storms and 12 percent area is vulnerable to floods. 5700 km long coastline is vulnerable to storms and 68 percent area is vulnerable to drought are said to be sensitive to. The
total area of flood affected areas in the country is four crore hectares.
Natural disasters have increased significantly across the
world, leading to a huge increase in human and economic losses. In the year
2020 and 2021, Corona gave rise to unimaginable disasters in every corner of
the country and the world. India had not yet recovered from the havoc of the
second wave of Corona when Arab Cyclone Taute, which arose from the ocean,
wreaked havoc in the coastal districts of Kerala , Goa , Karnataka ,
Maharashtra and Gujarat. In the year 2021, the glacier burst in Chamoli, Uttarakhand
in India was also the biggest natural disaster . The uncontrolled fire in the
forests of Europe and America in June- July 2022 is also considered a major disaster
in the world. Such increasing disasters are increasing career opportunities in
disaster management.
Various dimensions of career in disaster management
Disaster management is a multi-disciplinary field which involves a wide range of issues such as monitoring , assessment , search and rescue , relief , reconstruction and
rehabilitation. It involves multi-sectoral governance , scientists , planners , volunteers and communities. These roles and activities
include pre-disaster , during and
post-disaster phases. Disaster management is nothing but a skillful way , method and procedure to control disasters. When
people are educated and made aware about disasters , disaster management becomes an easy task. Thus,
career in disaster management has various dimensions.
Career Skills in Disaster Management
Those youth who wish to help people in times of crisis
and disasters can make a bright career in the field of disaster management.
Professionals trained in disaster management cooperate in dealing with
disasters in collaboration with voluntary organizations and local disaster
management authorities of the states. Apart from providing relief in storms , floods etc., it is important to have interest in giving
correct information to people, making them aware or explaining them about
diseases in situations like Covid and to have a spirit of helping
them with courage amidst such difficulties. Along with the study of disaster
management, this can be a good field in the near future for those who are
associated with social service or have a psychology background. There are good career prospects in the field of disaster
management for the youth who have passion, enthusiasm and dedication.
Where are the employment opportunities in disaster management ?
There are good job prospects for the youth who have done
a proper course in disaster management, both in government and non-government
sectors. After doing a course in disaster management, employment
is available in emergency
services , law enforcement departments, etc. Disaster management
experts are also employed in relief agencies , NGOs and international
agencies such as the United Nations, etc. Large high-risk industrial
establishments such as chemicals , mining and petroleum have special disaster
management cells.
Admission in Disaster Management and related institutes
Disaster management course can be done after graduation
in any subject group. In some institutes, admission is given even after 12th.
Admission in most disaster management courses is given through entrance exam. It
is also important that whenever any natural disaster occurs in the country , the professionals having disaster management degree along
with the soldiers of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster
Response Force (SDRF) are at the forefront in saving lives and property of the
people. The soldiers coming from paramilitary forces are fully trained to deal
with any kind of disaster. There is no direct recruitment of common citizens in
NDRF and SDRF . In this force, soldiers come on deputation basis from the
paramilitary forces of the country for seven years.
It is worth mentioning that by choosing a suitable
institute from among the educational institutes situated in every corner of the
country including Tata Institute of Social Sciences , Mumbai , Indian Institute of
Ecology and Environment , New Delhi , Indira Gandhi National Open University , New Delhi , one can move ahead on the path of career in disaster
management by doing a suitable course in disaster management.
Dr. Jayantilal Bhandari ( Career Counselor)
111, Gumasta Nagar , Indore- 9 ( Phone- 0731
2482060, 2480090)
