SOPAC continues to strengthen the current levels of national disaster management capabilities of Pacific Island countries to become more resilient and better able to prepare for, respond to and manage the sudden onset of disasters.
Strengthening disaster management governance will include institutional, policy and decision-making processes such as disaster management legislative and planning frameworks and national focal points (NDMOs) and guidelines or models of good practice for national application.
The emergency management preparedness, response and coordination capabilities within countries will also be critically assessed to determine the level of resources and capacity that is available to protect vulnerable communities. A priority will be to ensure that effective emergency response, communication and coordination processes are established and that existing resources are utilised in the most effective way.
In terms of improved disaster response capacity the efforts of our international partners like UNOCHA, the IFRC and national Red Cross societies and The Asia Foundation working with DRP and others to support governments to develop or strengthen national arrangements, laws and policies for enhanced preparedness for national and international disaster response will continue.
The DRP Disaster Management Team provides the following services to PICTs:
- Technical advice and support to review and update national DRM governance arrangements and legislation, operational plans and procedures
- Support for the design and conduct of operational and table-top exercises to test emergency response plans and procedures
- Support for the conduct of disaster risk management training in collaboration with the Pacific DRM Program of The Asia Foundation/Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance
- Design and development of professional training courses in collaboration with TAF/OFDA and the Fiji National University
For more information, contact:
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Disaster Management Adviser – NDF Project