Effective governance will safeguard against disasters – PM

…as World Disaster Risk Reduction Day commemorated

In order to build resiliency towards disasters in Guyana, good governance should play a significant role in the country’s management, as well as enhancement of the national Disaster Risk Management (DRM) framework.
This was according to Prime Minister, retired Brigadier Mark Phillips on Tuesday in celebration of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2020.
The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) is observed annually on October 13, having started in 1989 when the United Nations (UN) General Assembly recognised the need for a day to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction.
This year, Phillips said it has undoubtedly validated the importance of that decision by the Assembly and has demonstrated the relevance for such transformational leadership in disaster reduction. Moreover, it emphasizes the need to enhance governance structures, to enable equity and liberation from poverty.
“One of the main functions of Government is to provide stewardship to our country in its bid towards development, with critical responsibility for the quality of life of the population through the economic choices and administrative processes that will promote equity, poverty reduction and inclusiveness. The principles of good governance provide the key to sustainable development and by implication to effective disaster risk reduction,” the PM highlighted.
He went on to say that the PPP/C administration is committed to integrating the principles of efficient and effective governance into our national Disaster Risk Management (DRM) framework, which will in turn safeguard Guyanese lives, property and the environment from disasters.
“In our plight to ensure such integration within overall national development planning, our governance structure has provided a multi-sectoral framework for disaster risk reduction planning and coordination among government agencies, international partners, civil society and the private sector, through the mechanisms of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Coordination Platform and the National Emergency Operations Centre. This very mechanism has afforded the activation and operation of the National Coronavirus (COVID-19) Task Force, and the implementation of holistic and coherent response strategies.”
It was indicated that Government’s intention to strengthen and upgrade existing legislation and regulations to ensure the thorough integration of disaster risk analyses in all aspects of infrastructural and community development, to prevent the creation of new risks and reduce existing risks.
The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) also joined the commemorative efforts, sharing that within the period of 30 years, the Global Natural Disaster Assessment Report showed that a cumulative total of 9,921 major disasters caused by natural hazards occurred worldwide, an average of about 320 per year. Further, since 1989, there has been a fluctuating trend of increasing direct economic losses due to major disasters, and since 2010, direct economic losses due to disasters have exceeded $100 billion in all years except 2015 and 2018. In 2020, the world was met with the global pandemic of COVID-19.
“The current pandemic has reiterated the importance of Disaster Risk Management mechanisms and has highlighted the fundamental role of Disaster Risk Governance in Guyana and across the world in ensuring the safety of our population. Locally, we have not only recognised the intrinsic role of Disaster Risk Governance but have already made notable strides towards creating this critical framework. Significantly, the CDC, in 2019, completed the draft of the National Disaster Risk Management Bill and has initiated the process for its submission to Parliament for review, approval and passage.”
Once legislated, the DRM Bill will serve as the main instrument nationally to guide protection of the Guyanese people, infrastructure and economic and social assets from disasters and hazard impacts. The CDC noted that the intended passage of the DRM Bill signifies the country’s commitment to the underpinning of good Disaster Risk Management Governance, and the intent, at the highest levels, to ensure that there is a conducive environment within our country for effective disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.