Myanmar Action Plan on Disaster Risk Reduction (MAPDRR) 2009-2015.

The Goal of the present Action Plan on Disaster Risk Reduction of Myanmar is: ‘To make Myanmar Safer and more Resilient against Natural Hazards, thus Protecting Lives, Livelihood and Developmental Gains” since Myanmar is exposed to multiple natural which include Cyclone, Storm surge, Floods, Landslide, Earthquake, Tsunami, Drought, Fire and Forest Fire. Its coastal regions are exposed to cyclones, storm surges and tsunamis while major parts of the country are at risk from earthquakes and fires. The rainfall-induced flooding is a recurring phenomenon across the country while some parts of the country are exposed to landslide and drought risks. The preparedness and mitigation should be an integral part of the development plans and programmes. It is also important to make prior arrangement for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities, in case a natural disaster strikes. To ensure food security in dry zones the following interventions are, inter alia, proposed: promote research on drought resistant crops; promote access to irrigation water through large scale infrastructure; prepare water distribution schemes; promote rain water harvesting.
In order to achieve the afore-mentioned Goal, the Plan’s objectives are as follows: 1) To build a more resilient and safer community through conceptualization, development and implementation of appropriate disaster risk reduction programmes and culture of safety; 2) To provide a framework for implementing Myanmar’s DRR commitments at the global and regional levels; 3) To provide a mechanism where the disaster risk reduction initiatives of all Government Ministries and Departments, supported by UN organizations and other stakeholders, can be coordinated and monitored; 4) To provide a conducive environment for mainstreaming DRR into development plans, and programmes at the National, State, Division, Township, and Village Tract levels; and 5) To support mutually beneficial partnerships between the Myanmar Government and their development cooperation partners in DRR programmes.
The Plan has seven components as follows: 1) Policy, institutional arrangements and further institutional development; 2) Hazard, vulnerability and risk assessment; 3) Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems; 4) Preparedness and Response Programmes at National, State/Division, District & Township; 5) Mainstreaming of Disaster Risk Reduction into Development; 6) Community based Disaster Preparedness and Risk Reduction (HFA cross-cutting issue); 7) Public Awareness, Education and Training. This components includes a Special Awareness Programme which concentrate on preparing and publishing materials on emerging issues like climate change as well as on specialized topics like livestock management.
Under Sub-Component 5.4 on Landslide Mitigation in Risk-prone Areas it is established that the Myanmar Earthquake Committee will be responsible to implement measures such as water and drainage management, installing structural support, landslide warning dissemination and public awareness programme. All these structural interventions require resources and some of them require substantial resource mobilisation from government and non-governmental agencies. The National Disaster Preparedness Central Committee under the Prime Minister, is the 37-member apex body for Disaster Management responsible for the efficient implementation of the present Plan.
The text consists of 3 Chapters as follows: Disaster Management in Myanmar (1); MAPDRR components and future Disaster Risk Reduction projects (2009-15) (2); Implementing MAPDRR: Actions to be taken and Proposed Next Steps (3)