Objectives:
The objectives of DAC Policy for natural disaster reduction is to reduce:

• loss of lives

• property damage

• economic disruption

Goals:

• Creating Public Awareness about Safety from Disasters

• Adovocating -  legislation for safety from Hazards

• Planning development areas with safety from Hazards

• Protection of habitations from adverse hazard impacts

• Constructing new buildings safe from Hazards

• Retrofitting existing buildings for improving hazard resistance
   

The incidence of Waltango Natural Disaster in South Kashmir in December 2003 in which 378 persons lost their lives because of Snow Avalanche tiggered by heavy Snow accumulation upto 40 ft affecting approximately 2.35 lakhs population initiated the concept of DAC in Kashmir.

The newly set up Regional Centre did't have much time to perform - the deadliest natural disaster (Earthquake - 8th October 2005) was thrust upon it few months after it was formally setup and have not yet operationally setup. The earthquake hit this part of world with 357 aftershocks after the initial massive quake that hit at 9:20 am, one of which had a magnitude of 7.6,  another 24 occurred with a magnitude greater than 5 during 2 days after the original earthquake. 81,000 lost their lives, 120,000 injured,  2 Million rendered homeless.

As Kashmiri's we need to be aware of likely hazards and potential hazards, how, when and where they are likely to occur, and the problems which may result of an event. At first, self-help is essential and depends on a prepared community – that is a community which has: An alert, informed and actively aware population ; A Preparedness and Response Plan ; An active and involved local Government; Agreed, coordinated arrangements for response, preparedness and mitigation. DAC Kashmir and collaborative efforts of IDAC, are committed to prepare the vulnerable population and simultaneously mitigate and prevent the damage of the Natural Disasters.

DAC Kashmir and Earthquake Aftermath Response

DAC Kashmir did not inspire much confidence the very time it was tested because of the scanty information that was available with the organization. However centre formulated a High Level Coordinating Committee comprising of 8 Civil Engineers, 13 Disaster Mgt. Scientists, 10 Environmental Scientists, 5 Social Scientists, 16 Doctors, 3 Journalist and 200 local volunteers.

A relief fund was immediately created with as corpus fund so as to provide effective logistic support services to International Aid Agencies (Global Partners of esro Kashmir Node)  with broader ground level  networking and follow up strategies to implement the basic principles of Disaster management Cycle programme i.e Rescue, Relief,  Resettlement, Rehabilitation and Disaster preparedness . 

DAC Kashmir also launched a massive relief campaign with 200 local volunteers of esro Green Squad located at District Kupwara to help mitigate grave problems people in the quake hit areas are facing, distributed relief in the form of tents, blankets, utensils, packed food and medicines besides organized three mobile First Aid, Physiotherapy and psychology medical & counseling camps at different base camps units at Tangdar, Tithwal, Uri areas badly effected by the disaster.  

Simultaneously under the ages of Planning Commission of India team carried out a comprehensive disaster assessment survey of the disaster area covering 156 villages of two districts, majority of the villages were  naturally inaccessible or intensively damaged besides  communication gap and extreme winter conditions.

 70% of the land mass susceptible to seismic hazard damage (Moderate, High and Very High Zone) . Kashmir North and Kashmir South districts particularly Srinagar Mega City lie in Zone V. Gilgit Wazarat, Muzaffarabad, Punch, Anantnag, Mirpur, Riasi, Udhampur, Jammu, Kathua, Leh, Ladakh districts lie in Zone IV. 12 Earthquake with magnitude more than 6 were experienced along this plate.

8% of landmass prone to floods. 12 number of floods were experienced in a span period from 1976 - 2005 with frequency of occurrence of just 2.5 years with average annual damage of 78.92 cr .

6% of the total area is vulnerable to drought

 36% of the total area vulnerable to avalanches or landslides ;  66 % of 295 Km long Srinagar -  Jammu National Highway and 76 % of 434 Km long Srinagar Leh National Highway is vulnerable to avalanches, landslides & mudslides etc.

Piloting community based disaster preparedness

Promoting alternative technology for hazard mitigation

Demonstrating the use of information and communication technologies

Promoting volunteerism for disaster preparedness.