Multi-Hazard Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan.

The Multi-Hazard Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan is a national policy with a multi-sectoral approach. This Plan lays down strategies to cope with the effects of natural and/or man-made disasters occurring in Guyana, such as flood, landslides, earthquake, hurricanes/storms, wildfires, hazardous materials and oil spill, epidemics, and tsunami. The purpose of the National Multi-hazard Preparedness and Response Plan is to increase the resilience to all disasters using a comprehensive disaster management approach, while ensuring the timely and effective assistance to the affected in a coordinated manner, and protecting people, property, livelihoods and the environment.
This Plan envisages all disaster management activities from preparedness to response, by presenting a framework for emergency response at different levels of government structures; identifying the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders; and laying down coordination mechanism for activities with civil society, the news media, public and private sector to bring together a full range of national capabilities to prepare for and manage any disaster. All Government agencies, critical facilities and the private sector will implement preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery activities and conduct exercises in order to maintain the overall national response capability. Emergency preparedness plans will be developed at the national, regional and sectoral levels, with an emphasis on preparing hazard specific maps showing vulnerable areas and populations, conducting risk analysis from the perspective of contingency planning, establishing national emergency operations centre ready with all equipment, strengthening communication and transportation for potential disaster response, preparing inventory resources for emergency response with collaboration of regional and sector disaster management authorities, and improving the coordinate with humanitarian organizations to discuss their plans for preparedness and response for future hazards. The response capacity and resources at the national, regional and community levels will be enhanced and the effective, coordinated actions of all agencies involved in the recovery process will be promoted. Early warning system will be developed to make it more efficient at the national and local levels to reduce the impact of disasters. Flood management will be strengthened to prevent the destruction of physical and communication infrastructure, large-scale casualties and displacement of local communities. Damage and needs assessment showing affected areas and populations will be carried out and basic needs such as food, drinking water, medical supplies, and non-food items will be supplied to them. Equal quantity of food and potable water will be distributed to everyone and done transparently. Special attention and priority will be given in distribution to the elderly persons, women and persons with disabilities. Moreover, women will be encouraged to participate in the whole process of planning and distribution of the food.