DRAFT DISASTER MANAGEMENT POLICY

From the Introduction of the Policy


 The 21st Century has seen a sharp global increase, in both frequency and severity of disasters around the world. Several reasons have been put forward for this, amongst which are inclement weather, man’s advancing technologies, unplanned urbanization, poor agricultural practices, conflict etc. Among other things, these disasters may cause loss of lives, severe disruptions of social structures and materials losses, causing a severe economic and psychological burden on any nation.

The ultimate result leads to poverty, slow pace of human development, injury to people (more especially the poor), disorganization of their otherwise normal activities and diminish their chances of improving their livelihood. Reports also show that about a third of global mortalities are being caused by some form of disaster. To address these and other global concerns, the Millennium Summit held in September 2000, at UN, New York, stipulates specific time-bound targets to be reached by 2015, in what is widely known as the Millennium Declaration. This was done with the purpose of combating poverty and inequality. In order to achieve this, a set of eight goals and targets, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), were set. .

These goals were integrated into the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) Johannesburg Plan of Implementation in 2002. Of particular interest was the reference to Disaster Management as an integral part of sustainable development. The WSSD Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (2002) encourages “An integrated, multi-hazard, inclusive approach to address vulnerability, risk assessment and disaster management, including prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery, as an essential element of a safer world in the 21st century’’.

It is believed that such a proactive approach to disaster management would go a long way in maximizing disaster risk reduction, which will ensure sustainable development.

© DACO/SLIS July 2007