VPC’s President, Deepa Srinivasan was delighted to attend the 4th World Congress on Disaster Management (WCDM) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai. The who’s who in field of Disaster Management in India were guests of honor at the Inauguration, including: the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, and Ministers of Finance, Planning, Industry and Mining, Earthquake Rehabilitation, Cultural Affairs, Environment, and Relief and Rehabilitation, from several Indian states. Over 1,000 attendees from all avenues of government, academia, business and NGOs participated in this event.

Ms. Srinivasan presented two sessions at the 4th WCDM: (1) Hazard Mitigation and How Communities in the United States Improve Resiliency of Historic Properties; and (2) How Riverine and Coastal Communities in the United States Measure and Prioritize their Risk. "There were several great questions, and given the large number of vulnerable historic properties throughout India, the techniques for preservation/mitigation were of great interest!" Ms. Srinivasan indicated.

“Some great conversations were had with folks from Jawaharlal Nehru University, and the All India Institute of Disaster Management." “Great ideas and great minds can make great things happen” said Deepa. “I am heartened to learn that India is beginning to understand the value preparedness and mitigation planning rather than focusing primarily on emergency response”. In addition to good planning, the key to any community’s success in emergency management is inter-departmental coordination, and bringing down silos between agencies.