Puntland Disaster Management Policy, 2014

This Policy was formulated with the goal to build safe and resilient communities by enhancing the use of and access to knowledge and information in disaster prevention and management at all levels of society. The overriding objectives of the Policy includes; mainstream disaster risk strategies into sustainable development policies and planning; establish institutional and legal frameworks to create an enabling regulatory environment and a compliance regime; develop contemporary forecasting and early warning systems backed by responsive and fail-safe communication with information technology support; and ensure efficient response and relief with a caring approach towards the needs of the vulnerable sections of the society. It adopts a multidisciplinary approach for disaster management and makes this the duty of all sectors affected by a disaster. Some principles which guide the policy include capacity building. Effective inter-agency cooperation and coordination, autonomy and equity, financial sustainability, cost sharing, integrating disaster management into development planning, etc. The Policy proposes an integrated approach covering the 3 phases of a disaster (namely the pre-disaster phase, the disaster phase and the post-disaster phase). The pre-disaster stage contains certain key activities including planning for disaster management; putting in place trigger mechanisms which will ensure warning, allow for quick mobilization of resources, prompt evacuation and rescue operations, among others; an inventory of resources; a communication system; among others. At the crux of the disaster/response phase is relief activities, other essential activities include mobilizing relief personnel, food and shelter, health and sanitation, trauma counselling, information sharing, etc. With regards to the post-disaster/rehabilitation phase, key activities include damage assessment, resource mobilization, rehabilitation of women and children, documentation, etc. Essentially, the Policy provides that a legal and institutional framework should be put in place for the establishment of the Puntland Disaster Management Council and other Disaster Management structures, the activation of disaster management plans to provide immediate assistance to disaster victims even in the absence of disaster declaration and the powers, functions and funding of the Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management Agency (HADMA). The Policy provides for the monitoring and evaluation of disaster management issues through the development of indicators and early warning signals, periodic gathering and analysis of information, documentation of status and implications, regular feedback to stakeholders and financial planning of responses.