National Disaster Management Programme – Strategic Action Plan 2008 – 2011.

The National Disaster Management Programme – Strategic Action Plan 2008 – 2011 is a national policy with a multi-sectoral approach. The timeframe of the policy is 3 years between 2008 and 2011. The overall goal of the disaster management policy and strategy is to ensure a proper and effective mechanism for disaster mitigation and preparedness to assure safer and resilient communities and ecosystems.
The Disaster Technical Committee on pests, insect infestation, and food disasters will carry out activities to avoid food insecurity in the case of emergencies in close collaboration with the Department of State for Agriculture as lead agent, Veterinary Department, Public Health Officer, Gambia Red Cross Society, Representative of regional disaster management committee, Area Councils/ Traditional councils/religious organizations, NGOs/Private Sector, Civil Society etc.
The strategic direction will be outlined to guide the development of disaster management policies in compliance with the international norms and framework conventions. Disaster risk reduction and management will be integrated into national sustainable development policies and planning, as well as in sector-specific development programmes and projects. All international, regional, national and local disaster risk reduction strategies and approaches will be systematically incorporated into the implementation of emergency preparedness, response and recovery. The right balance of prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery will be achieved through a comprehensive, all hazards, all agencies approach. Public participation will be ensured with a multi-stakeholder participatory approach, including the Government, local authorities, NGOs, civil society organizations, private sector, international development partners, local communities, women and youth groups, and other vulnerable groups such as children and the disabled individuals. In order to support achievements of disaster management priorities, the governance and accountability arrangements will be strengthened. Moreover, disaster mitigation will be mainstreamed into relevant areas of activities of the Government, NGOs, Private Sector and Civil Society Organizations. Broad and effective partnership will be created among government, humanitarian organizations and other partners, to engage in disaster risk reduction activities and addressing the underlying factors in disasters. Public awareness will be raised by building adequate and sustainable capacity at the community level in order to enhance the culture of safety and resilience at the local level. Communities will be fully equipped for preparedness to anticipate and respond to disaster events. A database and information exchange system will be developed at national, regional and international level. An early warning system will be established and updated regularly. Funds will be mobilized for financing for the implementation of the strategic plan.
A Disaster Management Agency will be established under the Office of the Vice President to coordinate the work of institutions involved in disaster management both national and decentralized levels. The National Disaster Management Council is the supreme body which provides policy guidelines and has the powers to review and/or amend the policy to meet the emerging needs of the country in all disaster-related matters. Furthermore, Regional and municipal disaster committees, coordination committee and technical committees will be established and restructured. Disaster Technical Committees will carry out activities against fire, hydro-meteorological disasters, pests, insect infestation, epidemics, food insecurity and environmental accidents such as pollution, oil spillage.