Workshops to improve disaster management systems are being implemented in four pilot provinces and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the National Disaster Centre (NDC).
The workshops are part of the ‘Strengthening Disaster Risk Management in Papua New Guinea’ program, funded by the Australian Government, which is providing strategic support to the Government of Papua New Guinea in reducing vulnerability and increasing resilience to disasters.
According to the UNDP and NDC, Papua New Guinea is prone to regular natural disasters and faces threats from a wide range of hazards including floods, cyclones, landslides, drought and earthquakes, among others.
The workshops, which are underway, will contribute to the strengthening of disaster preparedness mechanisms and response procedures at the sub-national levels in the provinces of Western Highlands, Chimbu, Madang, Central and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
The locations were selected based on several criteria, including the number of disasters reported in the past and overall vulnerability to disasters.
In a press statement UNDP Technical Specialist for Disaster Risk Management Khusrav Sharifov, said that these workshops are crucial to strengthen the existing Disaster Management Systems adding that in some provinces, there is no Disaster Management Plan with Standard Operating Procedures to guide decision makers on how to prepare and respond to disasters.
He said by having systems in place, it will also help to provide efficient and effective responses to disasters, which in the long run will help save lives.
Participating in these forums are the members of the Disaster Management Committees in each province, including representatives from selected districts and other partners such as community based organisations that provide on the ground support.