Comparisons of Performance of Non-Governmental Organization and Gram Panchayats in Disaster Management

Disasters like floods, cyclones, droughts and earthquakes are increasing in India and in almost all parts of the earth due to environmental degradation, deforestation, increasing population, global warming, nuclear explosions, and air pollution. There is also worldwide concern to mitigate the growing incidence of disaster and their toll on human life, property, and environment. The role of Panchayats (local self governing institutions) is important in view of their proximity to the local community, coverage and engaging people's participation on an institutionalized basis. NGOs are organizations that are nonprofit making, voluntary and independent of government, engaged in activities concerning various societal and developmental issues. The role of the NGOs during a disaster is to have quick response and to try and save as many lives as it can with the given funds. A study was undertaken in cyclone Aila affected areas in West Bengal on analysis of the role of Non Governmental Organization and Gram Panchayats on disaster management. The main role performed by the NGOs were providing relief materials, organizing health camp, involved in rescue operation, arranging temporary shelters and so on. On the other hand the major functions of G.P during the post-disaster were identification of victims for compensation, relief and rehabilitation work, monitoring and supervision of relief works as well as damage assessment. The data were collected in the month of October 2013 to March, 2014 to attain the objective of the study. A total 150 respondents were selected purposively as the respondents. The data were processed into percentage, mean score and t-test. The findings of the study indicated that, the people of the disaster affected area should inform the details of the disaster sufficiently ahead.