CDC hosts another consultation on Draft Disaster Risk Management Bill

Georgetown, GINA, September 27, 2013

 

A one-day public consultation by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) on September 26, that followed a series of such events sought to garner stakeholder feedback on the proposed Disaster Risk Management Bill (DRMB).

 

Chairing the event held at the Sports Ministry’s Club, Carifesta Avenue, Deputy Head of the CDC Col Francis Abrams urged participants to contribute meaningfully to the discussions.

Head of the CDC, Col Chabilall Ramsarup in brief remarks thanked agencies such as the Inter- American Development Bank (IDB), for their sterling contributions to several programmes intended to build the Commission’s capacity.

 

It was pointed out that more than 800 persons from all 10 regions in Guyana have been trained in various aspects of disaster response. According to the CDC head, many of those trained included volunteers. The provision for a Disaster Risk Management Fund was one indication of government’s desire to have persons and communities recover in a meaningful way after a disaster. Stakeholders were reminded that the need for disaster preparedness cannot be overstated and he cited the recent hurricane which caused extensive damage in Mexico and the impacts of typhoons which hit several Asian countries as well as the massive earthquake which killed more than 400 people in Pakistan. “We should draw inspiration,” Ramsarup said, “from this quote – A successful tomorrow can only be enjoyed, given the preparation we put in today”.

Sponsored by the IDB, the legislative document addresses the need for a multi-sectoral response to potential disasters, stakeholders’ roles, defining levels or ownership and responsibilities of various sectors, according to Consultant and Attorney-at-Law Judy Daniels.

 

She said the DRMB will, “Provide for the management of disasters through comprehensive disaster risk management, the establishment of and operation of an Inter-ministerial Committee, a technical and Advisory Council, reconstituted Civil Defence Commission and a Disaster Risk Management Fund to define the powers and duties thereof”.

The consultant facilitated the workshop which attracted participation from a wide cross section of representatives of various agencies, ministries and regional bodies. Some of the terms used were discussed and explanations given by Ms. Daniels. She also made note of several recommendations put forward by participating stakeholders.