NCD reviews provisions for funding annual disaster

THE National Disaster Centre is reviewing its current Disaster Management Act for the Government to allocate funds on a yearly basis for natural disaster emergency responses.
Office director Col Carl Wrakonei said they were reviewing the current Disaster Management Act 1984 to include a provision where the Government could allocate money on a yearly basis to prepare and respond to disasters around the country.
He said that for the short term, they were working with the Treasury Department through submission to secure funds to do the task.
Wrakonai said disasters were unexpected events and everyone must be prepared for them, both the people and the government. He said they only planned after receiving warnings and reports from stakeholders and areas affected by disasters.
“We call in stakeholders and partners in mitigation, and draw up plans depending on how big a disaster is.
“If it is a minor disaster, we send out the national assessment team (NAST) to conduct assessment and report back by confirming that a disaster of certain magnitude has occurred.
“We then facilitate responses with partners and friends,” he said.
Meanwhile, he urged people to take precautions and be ready for unexpected events as there were no funding at the moment to help in any natural disaster.