STRENGTHENING NATIONAL MECHANISMS FOR DISASTER MANAGEMENT STRENGTHENING NATIONAL MECHANISMS FOR DISASTER MANAGEMENT Martin Owor ISDR Senior Regional Coordinator UN OCHA ROSA At the South Africa Inaugural National Disaster Management Indaba Gallagher Estate, Midrand, 9-11 July

National Mechanisms for DRR Worldwide especially after the December 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, many countries are strengthening their mechanisms to systematically reduce the increasing impact of disasters. Effective DRR mechanisms does not necessarily require big financial investment rather big shift in thinking and ways of doing the usual tasks.

Countries with National Mechanism for DRR Countries in the process of strengthening/establishing

National Mechanisms for DRR 46 Countries with National Mechanisms for DRR that fully subscribe to the standard UN guidelines on National Platforms and 120 countries with HFA Focal Points Many more countries have mechanisms providing DRR services but are not multi-sectoral, multi disciplinary and all inclusive, however, most are re-aligning towards the guidelines There is significant increase in number of National Mechanisms for DRR which is a demostration of the growing recognition by Governments of the importance of DRR in protecting development gains and averting future economy loses and damage to assets as a result of unforeseen future disasters. A number of countries have enacted very detailed and strong legislation/decrees for DRR e.g South Africa, Mozambique, Senegal, Uganda. The challenge is on the extend of prioritisation of risk reduction to the traditional disaster preparedness and response.

There is increasing support and cooperation between National DRR Institutions and ISDR partners, such as OCHA, UNDP, IFRC, WMO, WHO, UNESCO & WB Strengthening of DRR mechanisms should not be limited to building capacities of Institutional structures, departmental or office setups but more on re-activation, re-vigoralisation and assignment of tasks to existing formal forums and networks with clear principles of operation and approach. E.g. The National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) should be the facilitator and coordinator of the national mechanisms of South Africa, carrying out re-activation, revigoralisation, promoting big shift in thinking and approaches but not not shouldering the whole task of implementation of the NDM Act 2002.

What does a disaster risk reduction mechanism encompass? Network of Networks NDMC “Coordinator”/ “Secretariat”/Facilitator CBOs Technical Services Relevant Academia Int. NGOs Nat. NGOs Youth Assoc UN Media Bilat. agencies Rlv’t Private Sector Red Cross/ Crescent IFRC Faith- Based Org. Key line Ministries Women Assoc Munici- palities Professional associations

Functions of the mechanism Identifying the Institutions and their capacity needs to be able to effectively carry out the following: 1.Hazard assessments,analysis & mapping 2.Identifying vulnerability factors and vulnerability assessments 3. Hazard and risk awareness education & training at all levels 4. Disaster Prediction and Early Warning

Function of the Mechnism..cont.. 5. Drafting of policy/bye-laws/Regulations proposals for the consideration of decision makers. 6. Monitoring implementation, compliance and enforcement of codes, regulations, urban plans, landuse plans and relevant laws 7. Determining and reinforcing copying capacities of communities at risk 8. Research and adaptation 9. Emergency preparedness and Contigency planning

How does a national mechnism operate? Formation of sub-committees or sectoral committees of the forum. It is important that this is done through identification of existing mechanisms and giving them additional tasks in order to avoid always creation of new structures. Assignment of roles and responsibilities to the subcommittees Participation through representatives e.g the Local Authorities Association can be recognised as one of the subcommittees, be assigned functions to report on and only its chairman and Secretary sit at the National forum not all the mayors from all Municipalities. Each Sub committee should develop a workplan and mechanism of financing activities from their own budgets, in otherwords agreed on tasks should become part of individual organisations budget

How does a national mechnism operate… Multi-sectoral, Multi-skilled, Inter-Agency Research, prediction and forecasting institutions such as the meteorological services should always be given opportunities at the beginning of every DRR major meeting to show the threats and opportunities foreseen. It is broader than an inter-ministerial technical committee; includes many important actors outside government such media. No need of common basket fund, rather commonly identified tasks with agencies with capacities taking them up one by one. Must have one recognised coordination centre in our case NDMC

How often should a national forum and its subcommittees meet? It is important for the national forum to allow time for responsible institutions and subcommittees to implement actions agreed on in previous meetings, therefore meetings once in two months or quarterly is recommended with one annual review. It is recommended that subcommittees and task teams meet at agreed formal intervals not so often but equally not at very long intervals

What are the established Disaster Risk Reduction & Management forums in South Africa? ICDM – Intergovernmental Committee on Disaster Management NDMAF - National Disaster Management Advisory Forum DMISA* - Disaster Management Institute of South Africa  Are the above forums already performing the tasks discussed effectively?  Are they willing to take on addition tasks which do not traditionally fall under their current mandate?  Which tasks are they better placed to perform? Who will approach them? When will it be done?  Remember no need creat new structures rather give additional mandates, roles and responsibilities to to be shared by existing forums.

 The Standard International word for the forum refered to in this presentation is ‘National Platform(s), however, different countries and regions have the liberty to name it using words suitable to their environment as long as the main principles of muti-sectoral, multi-skilled composition is upheld.  Guidelines to the composition and functioning of National Plaforms (forums) can be downloaded from THANK YOU