Disaster Risk Management Policy.

The Disaster Risk Management Policy is a national policy with a multi-sectoral approach. The purpose of this policy is to ensure a protected, safe, secure and disaster resilient Guyana through efficient and effective disaster risk management with a proactive, holistic, multi-stakeholder, multi-disciplinary, multi-hazard oriented and technology driven approach.
This Policy lays down strategies for efficient and effective disaster risk management at the community, regional and national level. The governance, institutional, legal, financial and sectoral arrangements will be strengthened to support disaster risk management at all levels. The institutional framework will be strengthened for effective and efficient disaster response, preparedness and mitigation activities by underlying the responsibilities of relevant actors for ensuring smooth functioning during disaster and peace times. The policies and plans will be developed with the aim of increasing resilience of the most vulnerable as the centre-point for integrating sustainable development, poverty eradication, sustainable livelihoods, disaster risk management and climate change adaptation and mitigation. A Trust Fund for disaster risk management will be established for carrying out risk mitigation activities. An increased national level disaster awareness and culture of safety and capacity building for disaster preparedness and risk reduction will be promoted at all levels. Adequate capacities and resources will be sustained to address disaster risk management at the local, regional and national levels. Risk assessment and management will be strengthened to address vulnerabilities, prioritizing the most vulnerable people, including the elderly and infirmed, women, children, those with disabilities and special needs. The resilience of communities will be increased by reducing their vulnerability and increasing their ability to withstand and minimize the impacts of disasters. Early Warning Systems and post disaster recovery and reconstruction mechanisms will be developed for risk prevention, emergency preparedness, response and recovery. The monitoring and evaluation mechanisms will be established for tracking the progress of disaster risk management policies, as well as, for practicing results-based management. To this end, data collection and knowledge management will be strengthened. Climate change adaptation and mitigation will be integrated into disaster risk management to prevent and reduce the risks related to economic, social and ecological impacts of climate change.