DISASTER RISK MITIGATION IN MALDIVES MAJOR WAIS WAHEED TRAINING AND COORDINATING OFFICER NDMC/MALDIVES Regional Conference: Hazards of Nature, Risks and Opportunities for Development Dec 19-20, New Delhi, India NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT CENTER REPUBLIC OF MALDIVES

Presentation Overview 1. Key elements of Maldives risk mitigation strategy 2. Overview of key mitigation and preparedness programs 3. Challenges for mainstreaming disaster risk mitigation 4. Priorities for future risk mitigation investments

Key Elements of Maldives Risk Mitigation Strategy Understanding of the risk. Linking disaster risk reduction with focus island concept of the Government. Adaptation to climate change and the risk of natural hazards. Vulnerability of tourism and fisheries sector.

Key elements of Maldives risk mitigation strategy cont… Inter-atoll and Inter-island emergency response capacity building. Community empowerment.

Overview of Key Mitigation and Preparedness Programs Strengthening the institutional and legal systems (ILS) for disaster risk management. Multi hazard disaster response and preparedness planning and mitigation activities including training and capacity building. Establishment of an early warning system. Emergency response.

Multi hazard disaster response and preparedness planning and mitigation activities including training and capacity building cont…. –Preparedness planning. –Safe area development. –Vulnerability assessment for preparedness, mitigation planning and risk analysis. –Other disaster risk management programs. –Risk transfer.

Challenges for Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Mitigation Population consolidation. Lack of budget allocation for DM. Lack of awareness.

Priorities for Future Risk Mitigation Investments Strengthening institutional and legal systems. Set up early warning dissemination systems and mechanisms at all levels. Training and capacity building. Multi-hazard disaster preparedness planning and mitigation.

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