(A236) National Guidelines on the Management of the Dead after Disasters

Abstract

Despite technological advancements, India is vulnerable to disasters. Disasters of any etiology have the common denominator of a large number of deaths in a short span of time. Thus, the Administration is saddled with the indomitable task of retrieving and recovering dead bodies, then identifying them to enable the handing over of the remains to their next-of-kin. Initial media focus is often based on the myth that dead bodies cause epidemics. Therefore, bodies often are placed in mass burials or mass cremations universally, without being identified and without preserving the individuality of the deceased. This culminates into social, psychological, emotional, economic, and legal repercussions (financial compensation, property rights, inheritance, and issues of remarriage) regarding the legacy of the deceased, thereby exacerbating the damage caused by disasters. With the paradigm shift from the erstwhile response-centric approach after the enactment of the Disaster Management Act in 2005, to the holistic management of disasters, the National Disaster Management Authority embarked on the task of formulating the guidelines on this sensitive and vital issue. These Guidelines are designed to provide not only technical information, but also dwell on administrative aspects that will support the correct approach in handling dead bodies with the highest possible quality of standards/measures, and functioning in an interdisciplinary manner to ensure positive identification of victims. Management of the dead after disasters is under the ambit of the Incident Response System being incorporated in the National, State and District “all hazard” Disaster Management Plans are intended to achieve the desired aim that no unidentified body should be laid to rest.