Disaster risk reduction planning
"We must get better at managing risk. Climate change and patterns of human behaviour ensure that more devastating natural disasters will occur in the future. The good news is that officials in the countries affected by the tsunami have made progress on a regional early-warning system, natural disaster prevention legislation, training of rapid response personnel and public education. But funding for prevention is much harder to come by than funding for relief after a disaster. Donors and governments of at-risk nations must invest much more money to ensure early-warning systems reach coastal communities, that safe building codes are developed and enforced, and that evacuations are practised."
Bill Clinton, UN Secretary General's special envoy for tsunami relief
Sewalanka Foundation has 13 years experience working with disaster affected communities in Sri Lanka. Over that time, the organisation has developed its expertise and approach and has built up a network of staff, offices, community-based organisations and resources to support the provision of relief, orientated towards long-term sustainable development.
Disaster risk reduction has been incorporated into Sewalanka's program framework since 2005 to support the development of safer communities that are prepared to face possible future disasters. In December 2006, Sewalanka conducted a disaster risk reduction planning meeting with senior and mid-level staff members representing districts from across the organisation's network of offices.
Advisor to Sewalanka's Disaster Risk Reduction program, Ms Kate Hulbert-Powell explained that although Sewalanka knows how to respond quickly and effectively to both man-made and natural disasters; it is important for the organisation to consider how to make local communities safer, more prepared and better able to cope for themselves with future disasters.
"It is vital for the organisation to consider disaster prevention, risk reduction and emergency preparedness as it relates to all of our development programs," she said. "Activities are already being conducted in a number of ways and various Sewalanka staff are extremely knowledgeable about the sector, but now we must focus on expanding and strengthening the program within our organisation and our projects." Ms Hulbert-Powell said.
The workshop sought to increase understanding of the concepts of disaster risk reduction, risk management and emergency planning – why they are needed and how they are intrinsically linked to relief, rehabilitation and development. Existing Sewalanka disaster risk reduction projects were discussed also, with the USAID funded Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System project and the Diakonie Emergency Aid funded mangrove restoration project in the Ampara district, being sited as two key examples.
Considering both natural and man-made disasters, issues relating to conflict, tsunamis, floods, and landslides were discussed.
Although staff members have been working to incorporate risk reduction strategies at the community level, this was the first time that the risk reduction program was discussed on a national level within the organisation.
For further information contact Ms Kate Hulbert-Powell
