National Disaster Risk Management Plan 2012.

This National Disaster Risk Management Plan (NDRMP) aims to provide a framework for effective disaster planning and execution within a Disaster Risk Management (DRM) structure, where the outcomes of planning are reflected in a sustainable development environment. The objective of DRM is to achieve a comprehensive reduction in disaster risk, taking account of those hazards and vulnerabilities which contribute to risk, as opposed to a focus on each individual event. The governance arrangements within the plan provide a business framework to ensure currency, accuracy and relevance of the NDRMP and associated plans, and facilitates the smooth transition of changes in key personnel and structural changes within government. However it also provides a framework for embedding disaster risk reduction activities into mainstream government planning and budgeting (1.2). Primary DRM Responsibilities are to provide educational awareness programs regarding crop and livestock protection to disaster events; to plan for and develop nurseries for seed stock for disaster resistant food crops and windbreaks; to review all proposed development or resources for use in projects for impact on disaster vulnerabilities of food crops, windbreaks and erosion cover; to maintain an organisational plan for the distribution of emergency supplies; etc.
The Plan embraces an all hazards approach that is to be utilised by all ministries, departments, divisions, offices and other key stakeholders, in all aspects of Disaster Risk Management (DRM). The arrangements are designed to ensure that disaster preparedness and the outcome of disaster events inform sustainable development strategy, and link to the annual strategic planning and budgeting cycles, it also provides consistency with the themes within the Pacific Regional Framework for Action for Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters 2005 – 2015.
The NDRMP is designed to deal with both the ‘traditional’ natural hazards such as drought and tsunami, but also address a wide range of other hazards with a lesser profile utilising the same arrangements and resources; b) to identify underlying community vulnerabilities that create potential risks such as urbanisation, declining rural production and poor sanitation, whilst including those hazards where there has been little or no experience in Kiribati such as animal and exotic plant disease or marine infestation. 2 To be integrated, involving all people and relevant agencies. To achieve its second objective, the NDRMP strongly emphasizes: a) DRM is everybody’s business, with communities invariably taking the role of front line disaster risk managers; b) both at national or island level the management of disasters is a shared responsibility, each party contributing particular skills and knowledge which collectively when managed and coordinated can reduce vulnerabilities, empower communities and minimise damage to development. Civil Society has a major role to play not only in response but participating in planning and risk reduction, with representation on key committees; c) many government departments have some role to play in responding to disasters; however in regards to disaster risk reduction all departments play a significant role. Examples include; land use planning, waste disposal, health education, coastal protection, traditional coping mechanisms and community disaster management.