lecture 26 a disaster management policy

8/3/2019 Lecture 26 a Disaster Management Policy

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A disaster management Policy



What do you get from the headline below?

Kenya lacks comprehensive disaster management policy

October 16th, 2010 5:40 pm @ admin

When a Nakumatt Supermarket branch in Nairobi caught fire last year,

killing scores of people and injuring many more, fire fighters arrived late, in

insufficient numbers and without enough water, prolonging the effort to

reach those affected. Photo/FILE



Disaster

disaster means a progressive or sudden,widespread or localised, natural or human-caused occurrence which

( a) causes or threatens to cause ± ( i) death, injury or disease;

± ( ii) damage to property, infrastructure or theenvironment; or

± ( iii) disruption of a community; and

( b) is of a magnitude that exceeds the ability of those affected by the disaster to cope with itseffects using only their own resources;



disaster management

means a continuous and integrated multi-sectoral, multi-disciplinary process of planning, and implementation of measures, aimed at

( a) preventing or reducing the risk of disasters;( b mitigating the severity or consequences of

disasters;

( c) emergency preparedness;

( d) a rapid and effective response to disasters; and ( e) post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation;



A continuous or cyclic process.

Pre-disaster risk reduction phase

Disaster Impact

Preparedness

Response

Mitigation Recovery

Prevention Development

Post-disaster recovery phase

Pre-disaster risk reduction p

hase

Disaster Impact

Preparedness

Response

Mitigation Recovery

Prevention Development

Post-disaster recovery phase



PRINCIPLES OF THE DISASTER

MANAGEMENT POLICYTake a proactive approach to disaster management and promote aculture of prevention and preparedness among individuals andinstitutions.

Follow a multi-hazard approach to disaster management

Shift from a relief and welfare approach to a rights and entitlement-based approach to humanitarian assistance.

Since sustainable development will not be possible without the active

involvement of the communities, make the vulnerability reductionprogrammes community driven.

Integrate Disaster Management into Development Policy and Planning.



Key factors to consider in a policy

Defining the roles and responsibilities of our local government anddepartments in respect to Disaster Management

Setting out the objectives of the Disaster Management Continuum

Elucidating the relationship between Disaster Management andDevelopment

Ensuring the funding for Disaster Management is sufficient,streamlined and efficient

Setting out the objectives of the development of adequate capacityto deal with Disaster Management




Ensure quality at all stages of emergency managementincluding prevention, mitigation, relief and reconstruction andmake their adoption mandatory. For doing so, universallyaccepted minimum standards will be adopted. If necessary,

the standards would be modified taking into account localconditions and customs.

Attempt harmonious blending of all disaster managementinterventions with local cultural ethos.

Focus on protection of the environment.Promote inter-agency coordination and cooperation forDisaster Management.




Involve all stakeholders in disaster management and definetheir roles in different stages of disasters.

Create an enabling environment for ensuring higherparticipation of all stakeholders

Work on legislation(s) to provide statutory backing toessential disaster management functions and agencies.

Establish a trigger mechanism for emergency operations.

View people as valuable partners and strengthen community-based coping mechanisms for dealing with disasters.

Promote a spirit of volunteerism, develop a cadre of well-trained volunteers whose services will be utilised duringemergencies.




Document and use peoples indigenous knowledge, whenever possible.

Share information and knowledge about disasters and theirmanagement with all stakeholders.

Develop a network amongst various disaster management entities usingOSDMA as the main hub.

Establish an Institute dedicated to conducting research, development andtraining on disaster management related activities.

Make Disaster Management a part of the educational system andcurricula.

Ensure that humanitarian assistance is provided in an equitable,consistent and predictable manner.

Emphasize participation of women in all stages of Disaster Managementand recognise their special problems in disaster situation.



THE ABSENCE OF A DISASTER MANAGEMENT POLICY

This could (and probably will) result in:

±More and extended hardship (especially amongst those that can illafford it)

± An increase in the disaster impact and consequences

± Greater and avoidable financial strain and delay in economic recoveryand urgently needed new developments

± Re-scheduling of development funds to address the consequences of adisaster

± Hesitancy on the part of international investors to invest in a countrythat cannot deal effectively or limit avoidable disasters

±Avoidable additional loss of life, property and community infrastructures

± Greater possibility of epidemics.

± Enhanced chance of political instability.

± Potentially a prolonged disruption in essential services.

±Recognise the higher vulnerability of children, elders, physically andmentally challenged, during and after emergencies and designinterventions accordingly.



Class discussion

The role of the media in disaster management

The role of the youth

The role of the community

lecture 26 a disaster management policy

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