National Disaster Management Policy 2012.

This National Disaster Risk Management Policy is a comprehensive sectoral document aiming at creating a safer and more secure environment for Liberian citizens by enhancing the country's resilience to disasters, protecting vulnerable populations, and minimizing the impact of future hazards on livelihoods and infrastructure. Specifically this policy seeks to (i) create a foundation for the development of an effective and functional legal, institutional framework and good governance for disaster risk management (DRM); (ii) provide the basis for sound DRM national and local organization, capacity enhancement and clear allocation of roles and responsibilities; (iii) provide overall direction for integrating disaster risk reduction into development, recovery and humanitarian response policy and plans; (iv) contribute to national risk management applications for sustainable national development; (v) strengthen disaster preparedness for effective emergency and recovery response.
The NDM policy introduces a different approach to disaster risk reduction by targeting the underlying causes of disasters, aiming to minimize exposure and vulnerability of both people and economic assets to prevent or lessen losses. Effective disaster risk management requires identifying high-risk areas, populations, and vulnerabilities to anticipate and address potential damage or destruction. Rather than solely focusing on the aftermath of disasters, this approach emphasizes understanding and addressing their root causes, thereby enhancing the ability to adapt, mitigate, prepare for, and respond to disasters. The policy framework supports five overarching strategies: (1) establishing a robust legal and institutional system for disaster risk management (DRM) that is effective, efficient, and timely. Long-term institutional development in disaster risk management necessitates the effective decentralization of powers, decision-making structures, and accountability mechanisms, alongside community participation and complete national ownership, with a specific emphasis on women's full participation and the mandate to enhance their security and prevent violence during crises; (2) strengthening disaster preparedness to ensure swift and effective emergency response, essential for successful DRM implementation, as it enables authorities, individuals, and communities in hazard-prone areas to minimize impacts and losses through effective management and readiness, facilitated by the establishment of an efficient Early Warning System (EWS) to forecast and forewarn vulnerable communities about impending disasters and associated impacts, outlining action plans and systematic procedures for preparation and coping mechanisms; (3) implementing systems for improved risk identification, assessment, monitoring, and early warning of disaster risks; (4) enhancing information and knowledge management for DRM, infact reducing disasters hinges on fostering a culture of prevention and resilience through informed and motivated communities, necessitating the gathering, sharing, and utilization of comprehensive knowledge and information on hazards, vulnerabilities, and capacities, involving collaboration among government entities, NGOs, private sector, development partners, capacity-building partners, and communities, with knowledge and information management integral to all aspects of disaster risk management planning and implementation; (5) contributing to local and national risk management efforts to alleviate poverty.