Disaster Risk Management – Early Detection

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) natural disaster risk management specialist, Dr Cassandra Rogers said Caribbean governments have traditionally placed tremendous emphasis on disaster response, rather than early identification and risk detection.
She explained that the IDB has developed a Risk Management Index (RMI), which measures the performance of countries in terms of their progress in disaster risk management. According to Dr Rogers, this was highlighted in data from a 2010 study on the RMI, which revealed the placement of 23 of 26 countries, which have a borrowing relationship with the bank, on a scale of 1-100.
It also shows Guyana’s risk management compared to that of seven countries of the Caribbean, which all recorded less than 50 per cent in risk management. Dr Rogers presented the findings at a national workshop on the draft Disaster Risk Management Bill organised by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) on Thomas Lands.
Risk identification
She revealed that the 23 countries all fall below 50 on the RMI scale regardless of their size. Dr Rogers disclosed that based on these results, the IDB committed to supporting countries such as Guyana to take action in disaster risk management, with specific emphasis on risk identification, prevention, and mitigation that would improve performance on the index.
“It shows that the countries have made good progress only in terms of preparedness and response. This is, however, not surprising, considering the fact that governments have historically focused on response rather than risk identification and prevention,” the disaster specialist noted.
She said the bank has developed a system of indicators of disaster risk management which measures progress in four public policy areas, including governance and financial protection, risk identification, prevention and mitigation, and disaster management.
Prevention and mitigation speaks to the measures implemented to reduce vulnerability to risks through the use of structural intervention such as flood control, coastal infrastructure, as well as nonstructural measures such as legislation and building codes.
Guyana’s performance was not up to par and the country did not do well in managing financial disaster risk.
Dr Roger’s pointed out that this finding was consistent with the impact of the 2005 flood when loss of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) set Guyana 10 years back.
Financial disaster risk
It is important that every country vulnerable to these types of hazardous events have a financial strategy to manage disasters, the IDB specialist noted. In this regard, the IDB has pledged US$ 1 million towards a technical cooperation grant, with the objectives of evaluating climate-related disaster risk and strengthening local and national capacity in integrated disaster risk management.
The objectives include flood risk evaluation, vulnerability assessment, provision of equipment to host risk databases, designing a public education campaign, guidelines for incorporating disaster risk management in environmental management and agricultural planning, the provision of the services of a disaster risk management specialist for a one-year period, as well as training for staff of critical agencies, including the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Sea Defence Unit.
Dr Rogers applauded government for embracing the concept of comprehensive disaster risk management – the Caricom-endorsed regional strategy for managing disaster risks. The advantage of this strategy is that it articulates that traditionally countries have focused on preparing for and responding to a disaster, but it does not significantly reduce vulnerability which should be the much sought-after goal.
“So, comprehensive disaster risk management is a concept that all phases of disaster management must be looked at, if we are to reduce risks. Moving from preparedness and response to comprehensive disaster management is critical, since legislation would provide the teeth for a comprehensive disaster risk management framework, which seeks to reduce risks and improve livelihood to result in a safer, more resilient country,” Dr Rogers stressed.
National hazards
She further emphasised that there must be a shift in focus to risk management associated with national hazards rather than the management of disaster itself, although it is a significant part of the process.
She believes that in order to reduce the vulnerability of countries, the risk must be identified and measures implemented to reduce it by employing the four public policies.
“The legislation document should clearly demonstrate the shift from preparedness to identifying risks. All sectors must be involved, since it is a comprehensive approach, multi-sectoral and multi-institutional at the national, regional, and community levels,” the disaster expert said.
She cautioned the participants to carefully consider and include the roles of citizens and all sectors and the level of ownership each person should take in comprehensive disaster risk management in reducing Guyana’s vulnerability.