Summary
of country practices and examples
Some of the countries
with highest levels of poverty and low levels of human development
are also those which are relatively most vulnerable to disasters.
It is therefore critical to identify practices for integrating DRR
relevant for these countries. These practices need to inform the
ambitious plans of scaling up public investments proposed by Millennium
Report.
The attached table is an inventory of country practices drawn from
National Reports for WCDR and examples presented at the January
2005 World Conference’s
ISDR-ECHO (European Commission Humanitarian Office) Best Practice Public Forum.
In the run-up to the MDG Summit in September 2005, the UN Millennium Office is
prioritising "quick-win" interventions and MDG-based planning in
six (6) pilot countries. It is hoped that these examples enable mainstreaming
disaster
risk reduction in these interventions better.
ASIA
India |
Human
Poverty
Index
(Expressed in values, Human Development Report, UNDP, 2004) |
31% |
Country
level examples of DRR practices relevant to specific MDG |
MDG#7:India
has launched a development plan incorporating the following:
Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP), Desert Development Programme
(DDP), National Watershed Development Project for Rain-fed
Areas (NWDPRA), Water Development Programme for Shifting
Cultivation (WDPSC), Integrated Afforestation and Eco-development
Project Scheme (IAEPS).
Source:WCDR National
report |
Assistance
funding directed at prevention/mitigation? |
There
is a National Disaster Framework covering, amongst others,
disaster prevention, mitigation and response strategy. There
is a mitigation fund covering a huge gamut of mitigation
programmes. |
Annual
budget for disaster reduction.
Where is the budget allocated? Form of decentralization? |
Moreover,
a Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) has been set up in each State.
75% of CRF is provided by the government, 25 % by the State.
In case the CRF is insufficient, a National Calamity Contingency
Fund (NCCF) has been created. 10% of annual allocation of
CRF goes to the purchase of equipment for disaster response
specialist teams. |
Bangladesh |
Human
Poverty Index
(Expressed in values, Human Development Report, UNDP, 2004) |
42% |
Country
level examples of DRR practices relevant to specific MDG |
MDG#7:
Soil anchoring practices, mangrove protection programmes,
the Bangladesh Coastal Greenbelt Project undertaken
by the Bangladesh Ministry of Environment and Forests seeks
to prevent loss of lives and damage to property by cyclone,
storms and associated tidal surges; protect and improve
the coastal environment through increased vegetation; help
alleviate poverty by generating income through increased
tree cover and related activities (cross-cutting relevance
to MDG # 1 as well); increase forest resources; increase
coastal embankment stability; establish industries based
on forest plantation; increase multiple uses for land;
create popular awareness on sustainable forest management. MDG#1 Reduce poverty levels amongst very low-income groups
such as the fishermen community. The idea of "Change Agents" created:
people who are trained in disseminating disaster awareness
and knowledge through community, family and people-based
early warning systems, and also trained in first aid. (Bangladesh
State of the Environment Report, 2001) |
Tajikistan |
Human
Poverty Index
(Expressed in values, Human Development
Report, UNDP, 2004) |
unavailable |
Country
level examples of DRR practices relevant to specific MDG |
MDG#6 Combating infectious diseases
The ECHO-sponsored Dushanbe
Water Contamination Response Programme aims to improve
access to safe and potable water supply to targeted health
facilities and improving outbreak response capacity in the
health system of the capital city. The programme directly addresses
MDG#6, which deals with containment of
infectious diseases, by increasing preparedness and response
levels in
case of a
possible disaster. It seeks to build community capacity for
self-management of health needs by improving public awareness
in prevention of water-borne diseases through technical Wat-San
support to Infectious Disease Hospitals (IDH) and by installing
temporary water bladders and arranging for transporting water
to the IDHs. Other specific initiatives to help tackle issues
relating to the MDG strategy include improving the city's water-borne
disease (WBD) outbreak response capacity, supplying 1st and
2nd line essential drugs to infectious disease hospitals, improving
Dushanbe SES and City Health Department's disease database
management and outbreak response capacity, health training
in diagnosis and management of WBD.
Source: ECHO
good practices |
Iran |
Human
Poverty Index
(Expressed in values, Human Development
Report, UNDP, 2004) |
16.4% |
Country
level examples of DRR practices relevant to specific MDG |
Iran
did not incorporate DRR into its National Plan for Implementation
of the MDGs. Nevertheless, there are clearly determined
strategies regarding disaster management in the 4th plans
for economic, social and cultural development. As for the
economic plan, it reflects the sustainable development
spirit (MDG#7). In this regard, the country has
developed earth resources protection, water resources protection,
a national action plan for deserts and reduction of drought
effects, forest development as well as projects related
to air, water and environmental pollution. As for social
and cultural plans, there are several projects related
to human and industrial sewage treatment and expansion
of local health plans (MDG#6), measures to improving
the key role of women in hazard mitigation programmes and
promotion of a seismic safety culture (MDG#3).
Source: WCDR
National Report
|
Disaster
vulnerability as a retardant to achieving the MDGs |
The country
clearly recognizes that there is a direct clear-cut connection
between the level of development and vulnerability in the
face of natural disasters. The crucial interrelationship
between natural disasters and environment degradation should
be further emphasized. |
Assistance
funding directed at prevention/mitigation? |
Since
1998, a National Plan on Natural Disaster Prevention. In
2003, a loan worth 300 million USD has been obtained from
foreign sources and investment. This loan is for the improvement
of the old urban fabrics to prevent and mitigate damage arising
from disasters. Also special insurance funds. In fact, 50%
(in the next future 100%) of agriculture and farming products,
housing and commercial units as well as infrastructure are
covered by an insurance fund. |
Annual
budget for disaster reduction.
Where is the budget allocated? Form of decentralization? |
2.5% of
total budget allocated to DRR. |
Philippines |
Human
Poverty Index
(Expressed in values, Human Development
Report, UNDP, 2004) |
15% |
Country
level examples of DRR practices relevant to specific MDG |
The
Philippine National Plan for MDGs does not include an explicit
component of DRR. Nevertheless, as for MDG#1, the
government has developed an anti-poverty programme called
KALA, which aims to improve: 1) Social protection and security
against violence by reducing the risk and vulnerability
of the poor to the immediate effects of economic shocks
and natural and human-caused disasters; 2) Asset reform
by redistributing physical and resource assets to the poor,
especially land and credit; 3) Employment and livelihood
opportunities by creating jobs through agriculture and
fisheries activities and providing seed capital to micro
and small business for the poor. Moreover, in the same
spirit of MDG#1, the medium-term Development Plan
for 2001-2004 was launched. It targeted a total of 880,000
informal and non-settlers for socialized housing package.
Priority was accorded to those living in dangerous areas
such as riverbanks and other flood-prone areas. The country's
water resource management endorses the spirit of MDG#7. The
adopted measures reflect a risk reduction orientation by
promoting low water use crops, efficient farming practices,
irrigation efficiency, and monitoring and forecasting systems
for floods and droughts.
Source: WCDR
National Report
|
Assistance
funding directed at prevention/mitigation? |
Preparedness
is under the responsibility of OCD (Office of Civil Defence),
and mitigation under the DPWH (Department of Public Works
and Highways). Also a part of National Calamity Fund (NCF)
goes to pre-disaster expenditure or activities outside the
regular budgets of agencies. |
Annual
budget for disaster reduction.
Where is the budget allocated? Form of decentralization? |
The National
Government's annual appropriations provide specific budgets
for risk identification (spread among four agencies), preparedness
and structural mitigation, in addition to budget for emergency
response and rehabilitation. According to the NR, only direct
costs of disasters are considered. As for government emergency
funds for response/facilities, local government units set
aside 5% of their estimated regular revenue as local calamity
fund. This fund is complemented by the National Calamity
fund. A part of it is allocated as Quick Response Fund. Also:
emergency reconstruction loans, incurrence. |
Mongolia |
Human
Poverty Index
(Expressed in values, Human Development
Report, UNDP, 2004) |
19% |
Country
level examples of DRR practices relevant to specific MDG |
MDG
#1 Loss of resource-based livelihood, increased
extreme poverty The National Agency for Disaster Management
is
moving towards a community-based disaster risk management
system to counter the effects of disasters such as severe
drought and epidemic diseases which reduced the total number
of Mongolian livestock by a third. Since the rural population
is heavily dependent on this sector, the result was loss
of livelihoods and related skyrocketing of unemployment
and poverty figures. MDG #1 Food Security
and loss of resource-based livelihoods: National Remote
Sensing Centre & Agricultural
Risk Study Centre Local authorities collaborated with other
NGOs, IT companies, herders and farmers to significantly
increase disaster risk knowledge and best practices at
the grassroots level coordinated through the "Risk manager" info
system. The risk reduction info system consists of a database,
an internet website, an integrated information processing
with GIS and remote sensing techniques, VSAT data net and
local FM radio broadcasting. The Agriculture Risk Study
Centre has coordinated activities of all stakeholders and
managed to downscale weather prediction to community and
farm levels, therefore being able to provide regular information
and consulting services to reduce disaster risk. MDG
#7 on environmental sustainability & MDG
#1 Poverty & Hunger
Eradication Pilot activities to promote disaster reduction,
such as the use of liquid gas in rural areas to protect
bushes and reduce the risk of desertification, is a cross-cutting
issue that addresses MDG #7 on environmental sustainability
while helping to achieve DRR measures and prevent forced
migration due to the inability of the land to provide sustenance
to the communities dependent on it. Activities focusing
more closely on ensuring the protection of livelihoods,
thus helping to eradicate poverty and hunger (MDG #1), include
restoring livestock numbers to pre-disaster levels by increasing
the use of incubation and other surer
reproduction techniques. To help alleviate poverty MDG
#1 further, a supplementary source of income is
provided by promoting the production of carpets made from
male camel
wool, thus providing herders with increased levels of financial
security. Encouraging the rearing of camels to substitute
for cattle losses in drought-prone areas is another effective
means of reducing the impact that a disaster such as a
drought may have on Mongolian herders, thus protecting
their livelihoods and survival further. (MDG #1)
Source: ECHO
good practices
|
Disaster
vulnerability as a retardant to achieving the MDGs |
High Poverty
levels, populations living in hazard-prone areas, minimal
protection against disaster impact, low coping capacity further
eroded by recurring disasters are severe retardants to the
MDG process in Mongolia |
Vietnam |
Human
Poverty Index
(Expressed in values, Human Development
Report, UNDP, 2004) |
20% |
Country
level examples of DRR practices relevant to specific MDG |
MDG
# 8 Developing a global partnership for development linking
to MDG # 7 on Environmental Sustainability The mandate of
the Central Environmental Authority covers the coordination
of disaster management. The plan also identifies opportunities
for regional cooperation (MDG # 8) in environmental
management for sustainable development (MDG # 7) that
include: disaster reduction; combating the effects of climate
change and anticipated sea-level rise; integrated management
of watersheds, catchment's areas and floodplains through
forest management; and soil and water conservation
Source: Living
With Risk |
LATIN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN
OAS
- National Disaster Programme, sustainable development practices MDG#7, POHA
- Retrofitting of educational & health infrastructure, links
to MDG# 2, 5, 6 with the Caribbean Hazard Mitigation
Capacity Building Programme [CHAMP] which is an excellent example
of regional cooperation and directly supports MDG # 8. The
OAS and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA)
are implementing a three-year programme to assist countries in the
Caribbean region with the development of comprehensive, national
hazard vulnerability reduction policies and associated implementation
programmes, as well as the development and implementation of safer
building training and certificate programmes. (MDG # 8) CDERA
member states. www.oas.org/cdera/champ/
Colombia |
Human
Poverty Index
(Expressed in values, Human Development
Report, UNDP, 2004) |
|
Country
level examples of DRR practices relevant to specific MDG |
MDG
# 2 Universal Primary Education directly links
to the seismic vulnerability analysis of school building
exercise in Santa Fe de Bogotá. This programme in the
capital district was developed by Proyectos y Diseņos LTDA
in April 2000. Most of the school buildings has been built
before the standards of the Colombian Code for Seismic-Resistant
Buildings were in force. As a result, most of the buildings
in Colombia, including many schools, were designed and
built without any seismic-resistant criteria. The analysis
developed a methodology to be used in all phases of the
project, and the staff in the Education Ministry was trained
to obtain information for the primary evaluation of seismic
vulnerability. Primary evaluations were then conducted
in all schools, determining the seismic vulnerability of
each. Priorities among individual schools were then assigned
according to available budgets. In some cases, more detailed
vulnerability analyses and structural retrofitting studies
were conducted. (MDG # 2) |
Ecuador |
Human
Poverty Index
(Expressed in values, Human Development
Report, UNDP, 2004) |
12% |
Country
level examples of DRR practices relevant to specific MDG |
MDG
# 1 and MDG # 7: A Master
Plan for the Management of Flooding Risk in the Hydrographic
Basin of the Pedro Carbo River developed. -PREVENTION
ACTIONS An Emergency Operational Committee (COE) created
to cantonal level and Inter-area and Intra-area Cooperation
Mechanisms put in place and tested. Increased coordination
among Cantonal and Area Emergency Operational Centres on
one side and among Provincial and Cantonal Emergency Operational
Committees on the other. - PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS An
Early Warming System - EWS (or Sistema de Alerta Rapida - SAT)
put in place in Canton Pedro Carbo. Communities strengthened
on the issues of flood preparedness, response to risk and
emergency situations. Technical staff and Volunteers on
Rapid Response to all Emergencies trained. - MITIGATION
ACTIONS Eleven movable modular pedestrian bridges constructed
to overcome the isolation problems of communities caused
by flooding; and 27 Local Civil Defence Volunteers trained
on fixed and emergency bridge preparation. Environmental
and hydraulic engineering demonstrative work realized.
Seven wells were also constructed in seven communities
using OPS/OMS models pumps (BOPS -2002, type "flexi").
Source: ECHO
good practices
|
Haiti |
Human
Poverty Index
(Expressed in values, Human Development
Report, UNDP, 2004) |
41% |
Country
level examples of DRR practices relevant to specific MDG |
MDG#1 is
reflected by the Special Program for Food Security. As
for MDG#7, Haiti has adopted a water resources
management, the National Plan for Climate Change and the
National Plan to Fight Desertification.
Source: WCDR
National Report
|
Jamaica |
Human
Poverty Index
(Expressed in values, Human Development
Report, UNDP, 2004) |
|
Country
level examples of DRR practices relevant to specific MDG |
MDG
#1 A community-based disaster management project
funded by ECHO and with general support from the IFRC
promoted hazard recognition skills and the ability to
identify critical resources that would increase the capacity
to respond to a disaster, thus preventing or reducing
loss of livelihoods. Importantly, a Community Disaster
Response Team was created and trained in first aid and
basic evacuation procedures - skills that were successfully
used in prevention of loss of lives by pre-Hurricane
Ivan warnings, evacuation and shelter management. The
programme was implemented in areas exceptionally vulnerable
to natural disasters and poverty. Source: ECHO
good practices
|
SOUTHERN
EUROPE
Turkey |
Human
Poverty Index
(Expressed in values, Human Development
Report, UNDP, 2004) |
19% |
Country
level examples of DRR practices relevant to specific MDG |
MDG
# 1 Strengthening disaster resistance, reducing disaster
impact and loss of lives and livelihoods. Also link to MDG
# 8 "Developing a global partnership for development".
The World Bank ProVention Consortium has been promoting "best
practice" examples of disaster mitigation and future
costs reductions through measures such as a USD 505 million
reconstruction loan to Turkey that included measures to
update and enforce building codes. Poor quality construction
was responsible for many of the lives lost during the massive
earthquake of last August. The reconstruction programme
will introduce better planning for land use (possible links
to MDGs), and requires compulsory insurance for housing.
Emergency response management will also be upgraded. It
is this kind of programme that the consortium hopes to
emulate. |
Disaster
vulnerability as a retardant to achieving the MDGs |
Retardant
to MDG # 2: Failure to incorporate adequate DRR measures
into planning of school buildings contributes to the inability
to achieve Universal Primary Education. The May 2003 earthquake
in the city of Bingol destroyed 300 buildings and damaged
more than 5,000 others. Tragically, the collapse of a school
dormitory killed 84 children. The dormitory had only been
built in 1998 and was a modern engineered structure. This
event occurred four years after the terrible 1999 earthquake
in Izmit, Turkey, which killed 20,000 people. It also relaunched
the stormy public debate on the prevailing standards and
building codes that are applied or, as in the case of the
dormitory, not applied. http://www.info-turk.be |
AFRICA
Algeria |
Human
Poverty Index
(Expressed in values, Human Development
Report, UNDP, 2004) |
21% |
Country
level examples of DRR practices relevant to specific MDG |
MDG
# 8 Developing global partnerships for development.
The Urban Risk Management Programme began case studies
of the different earthquake disaster prevention and post-disaster
measures taken by the government of Algeria between 1980
and 2004. It details the measures taken and learning
activities carried out at country level as well as those
involving the cooperation of international organizations.
Decision makers need adequate integrated information
on the likely (probabilities) intensity of the disaster
the city will face so that they could reduce disaster
vulnerability. Thus, greater dissemination and access
to information through working global partnerships and
an integrated disaster risk management programme would
be extremely beneficial. Also linked to MDG # 1 as it
prevents loss of lives and livelihoods in an urban environment.
As for MDG#7, The country has adopted the National Action Plan for Environment
and Sustainable Development (PNAE-DD), the National Plan for Special
Wastes, the Strategy and Action Plan for Bio-diversity (2001) as well as the
Strategy and Action Plan for Climate Change (2003). For MDG strategy,
it should be noted that a special report is being developed.
Source: ECHO
good practices, WCDR
National Report |
Disaster
vulnerability as a retardant to achieving the MDGs |
Attaining MDG
# 7 (Environmental Sustainability) & MDG # 6.
Although the Urban Risk Management Programme seeks to better
address certain issues, attaining the MD goals is severely
retarded by factors such as hydro pollution (both superficial
and underground water), marine pollution, soil pollution
as well as forest and green space degradation - all of
which contribute to increasing Algiers's vulnerability
to an already wide range of geological risks such as earthquakes,
floods, landslides, storms and tsunamis. |
Egypt |
Human
Poverty Index
(Expressed in values, Human Development
Report, UNDP, 2004) |
30.9% |
Country
level examples of DRR practices relevant to specific MDG |
As
for MDG#1, the country has elaborated an anti-poverty
plan. As for MDG#3, the government says gender disparities
will be eliminated in secondary education by 2005. As for MDG#4, Egypt
is expected to reduce infant mortality rate to 25 per 1,000
live births by 2015. The goal of 75% reduction in maternal
mortality rate will be achieved since the government was
committed to sustaining the rate of decline between 1997-2000,
reaching 43 per 100,000 live births. As for MDG#6, combating
HIV/AIDS, malaria and other major diseases is no longer
a threat to public health. As for MDG#7, Egypt has
a water resources management, the National Environmental
Action Plan 2002-2017.
Source: WCDR
National Report |
Assistance
funding directed at prevention/mitigation? |
There
is a special Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). Its resources
are allocated to confronting pollution. |
Annual
budget for disaster reduction.
Where is the budget allocated? Form of decentralization? |
The budget
is divided between different ministerial departments - resorting
from the National Budget. |
Ethiopia |
Human
Poverty Index
(Expressed in values, Human Development
Report, UNDP, 2004) |
55% |
Country
level examples of DRR practices relevant to specific MDG |
As
for MDG#1, the country has developed a poverty reduction
strategy (incorporated into its National Development Plan)
and the New Food Security Coalition (as a part of the food
security programme and a drought-induced disaster reduction
plan). As for MDG#7, the country ratified
the National Water Resources in the year 2000.
Source: WCDR
National Report |
Morocco |
Human
Poverty Index
(Expressed in values, Human Development
Report, UNDP, 2004) |
34% |
Country
level examples of DRR practices relevant to specific MDG |
In
1995, the country adopted a National Strategy for Environmental
Protection and Sustainable Development (MDG#7).
In this regard, numerous actions, projects and plans were
progressively adopted. Amongst them are projects focused
on climate change, forest protection, water and agriculture
sectors, greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy.
The country has also elaborated a National Action Programme
to Fight desertification, which aims, amongst others, to
incorporate a strategy to eradicate poverty (MDG#1).
There is also a plan for sanitation and epidemiological
surveillance (MDG#6). A good example for sustainable
development (MDG#7) can be reflected by the national
evaluation report on the programme called ''Action 21''.
Source: WCDR
National Report |
Disaster
vulnerability as a retardant to achieving the MDGs |
|
Assistance
funding directed at prevention/mitigation? |
Nevertheless,
an interesting initiative. The Direction of Insurance (Ministry
of Finance and Privatization) has put in place a guarantee
system for specific risks. Also in 1995, a convention was
signed between the ministries of economy, finance, agriculture
and rural development, fishing development, and a number
of banks on ''drought'' insurance. Information about assistance
funding is difficult to substrate because it is not clear
how the DRR platform is structured. |
Annual
budget for disaster reduction.
Where is the budget allocated? Form of decentralization? |
To different
ministries and departments. Also local communities receive
part of budget for DRR |
Niger |
Human
Poverty Index
(Expressed in values, Human Development
Report, UNDP, 2004) |
61% |
Country
level examples of DRR practices relevant to specific MDG |
The
country launched a large gamut of strategies/policies focused
on sustainable development and poverty reduction. As for
sustainable development (MDG#7), there are the National
Environmental Plan for Sustainable Development ( PNEDD),
the Strategy for Sustainable Rural Growth, the Programme
for Sanitation Development (PDS) launched in 2000, the
National Plan and Strategy for Biodiversity and several
programs concerning water management. As for poverty reduction
(MDG#1), a good example is the Operational Strategy
for Food Security (SOSA) launched in 2001 and completed
with the Global National Programme for Food Security (PNGSA)
as well as the Strategy for Poverty Reduction (SRP) adopted
in 2002. In this regard, The Strategy for Rural Development
(SDR) emphases as well sustainable development (MDG#7)
through the sustainable management of natural resources,
as well as poverty reduction through a food security policy.
Source: WCDR
National Report |
|