National Integrated Disaster Risk Management Plan and Implementation Strategy for Guyana.

The National Integrated Disaster Risk Management Plan and Implementation Strategy is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach. The purpose of this Strategy is to establish and strengthen integrated disaster risk reduction and management in all sectors and at the national, regional and local levels in order to increase resilience of the public, livelihoods and the environment to the impacts and consequences of the key hazards. The strategic objectives of this policy include the five components of disaster risk management, i.e. risk identification, prevention and mitigation, financial protection and risk transfer, preparedness and response, and recovery.
This Policy lays down strategies to ensure a more sustainable and safe Guyana with reduced risk and enhanced resilience so as to minimize potential deaths, injuries, loss of property, livelihoods, socio-economic loss and damage to the environment. The risks and possible consequences of the impacts of floods and droughts will be identified for effective disaster risk reduction and management. A National Risk Identification Sub-Committee will be established to be responsible for data gathering and hazard, vulnerability and risk mapping. Furthermore, awareness-raising will be raised of all stakeholders with a view to integrating hazard, vulnerability and risk mapping and analysis into national planning and decision making. Prevention and mitigation measures will be taken to reduce the risks of floods and droughts, as well as the vulnerability of society and the environment. Vulnerability assessments of all identified and potential vulnerable elements, such as population, agriculture, infrastructure, fragile areas, will be conducted relating to flood, drought, earthquake, tropical cyclone, landslide and wildfire. The infrastructure of conservancy dams, drainage and irrigation systems will be improved based on vulnerability assessments. Moreover, assessment studies will be conducted to identify flood-resilient agricultural activities and specific measures to access and store water during droughts. Environmental impact assessment will be integrated adequately into the land-use planning and construction processes. Sustainable financing systems will be established by developing a national financial strategy for the management of the impacts of extreme events. Preparedness process will be developed to ensure an adequate level of preparedness and response capacity for responding to floods and droughts through the on-going improvement of contingency planning and emergency resources at all levels. Gender, environmental and climate change issues as well as education, health and tourism will be integrated into disaster risk management. Early warning systems for flood and drought will be improved, including specific mechanisms for liaison with neighbouring countries. Emergency response plans at the regional level will be designed and tested to ensure they are compatible with those at the national and local levels. In addition, national early recovery plan will be developed for floods and droughts at the national, regional and local levels. The National Contingency Fund and its mechanisms will be updated to improve the availability and timeliness of disbursement of funds to cover the immediate costs for relief and early recovery after an event and to compensate for the loss of agricultural assets, including crops and livestock.