National Disaster Management Policy.

The National Disaster Management Policy of Rwanda is a sectoral policy with the following objectives:Strengthen the legal and institutional framework for the management of disasters including the promotion of a culture of disaster awareness and for building the capacity for Disaster Management at all levels;Ensure that institutions and disaster risk management activities are coordinated and are focused to foster participatory partnerships between the Government (including mainstreamed and emergency disaster-related activities by sector Ministries) and other stakeholders, at all levels, including international, regional, sub-regional Eastern African, national and sub-national bodies;Promote linkages between Disaster Management and sustainable development for the reduction of vulnerability to hazards and disasters.The implementation of this policy will lead Rwanda towards achieving the following key goals which support development within the country: Building the resilience of communities, infrastructures and service providers to disasters by reducing their vulnerability and increasing their ability to withstand and minimize the effects of disasters and complex emergencies through adaptation to climate change by enhancing preparedness; Providing fast, coordinated, effective and appropriate responses to disasters and complex emergencies; Ensuring timely recovery from disasters and complex emergencies, and leaving communities and families in a better position to withstand future hazards as well as building back better.
To fight against food insecurity the Government of Rwanda has established the following policy actions:take appropriate measure to have a sustainable response; Establish and maintain adequate grain stores for famine prone areas; During the period of food shortage, provide relief food and non-food commodities to person in need; Support food-for work/asset programs aimed at preparing land, rehabilitating social infrastructures and other activities necessary for community stability; Increase production and productivity for food security using improved technologies; Creating community awareness and adoption of high yielding and drought resistant variety of crops and livestock; Establish measures for creating household, community, Provincial and National food reserves; Establish a food security monitoring system.
Disaster Management will have an integrated approach covering all phases of disaster management. The following are strategies that will lead to the implementation of the Disaster Management Policy: Strengthen Disaster Management coordination; Set up Strategic Orientation Papers; Focus on Disaster Risk Reduction; Reinforce Risk Assessment capacities; Integrate Disaster Management within Development Planning, etc. The National Disaster Risk Management Plan is a central document for Disaster Risk Management in Rwanda. It is the main operational document describing and detailing the Disaster Management Policy in operational terms. The NDRMP is a living document which shall be revised on a regular basis. The National Disaster Risk Management Plan (NDRMP) aims to further develop and strengthen national preparedness, response and recovery capabilities in Rwanda; it describes roles,functions and responsibilities of the main actors involves in Disaster Management and translate in operational terms the strategies defined in the present policy.