The Civil Defence Com-mission (CDC) is hoping to finalise the draft Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Bill by the end of next month and hopes to have it tabled and passed in the National Assembly by the end of the year, Director General of the CDC, Colonel Kester Craig said.
Craig was at the time speaking at the opening of a public consultation session for the draft Bill at the Umana Yana on Wednes-day.
He noted that while the first draft of the Bill was completed in 2013 with a focus mainly on disaster preparedness, they have since recognised the need for the Bill to be less limited, and for it to take on a more comprehensive structure to deal with disasters, especially as it relates to disaster risk reduction and disaster risk management.
He said that apart from that, over the years they have been expanding the mechanisms across the country within its ten Administrative Regions, including at the Neighbourhood Dem-ocratic Council (NDC) and community levels, to ensure that there is an integrated Disaster Risk Management system.
“So taking all of that into consideration, we have recognised the need to ensure we have a Bill that is very comprehensive,” he noted.
Chris Headley, a consultant hired by the European Union, headed the presentations and discussion and explained that so far, they have had over 37 meetings with stakeholders and other persons, averaging at least 23 persons per session. They have also facilitated discussions with over 80 entities from the Government and the private sector.
The Bill is divided into 13 parts, with the first dealing with preliminary matters such as legislative formalities and definitions, while the second sets out objectives of the Bill, general principles to be applied in implementing the Bill, and procedures for development and review of the national policy on the DRM under the authority of the cabinet, as well as creates a requirement to maintain a National DRM Policy, and allocates such responsibility to Cabinet as well as an annual review.
The third part establishes the main institutions at the national level that are concerned with the DRM, including the CDC and the National Disaster Risk Management Coordination Platform. Part four sets out the framework for DRM planning and preparedness at the national level and includes procedures for developing, maintaining and reviewing the National Disaster Risk Management Strategy and the National Disaster Risk Management Plan; procedures for risk reduction and mitigation and procedures for the use of the early warning system, among others.
Additionally, the fourth part also sets out the steps that will be taken to ensure a DRM machinery is maintained, including procedures for the operation of the National Emergency Operations Centre, the provisions of emergency shelters, the recruitment and training of volunteers, among others.
The fifth section sets out the framework for DRM at the regional level, including the establishment of Regional Dem-ocratic Councils, DRM Committees, regional emergency operations centres and regional DRM plans. It also provides for a regional framework to complement the national framework, including a requirement to establish a DRM committee and a regional action plan.
Part six facilitates the setting up of the framework for DRM at the local level in municipalities and town councils, which will have to be consistent with national and legal frameworks. Other democratic organisations will be able to do the same on a voluntary basis.
Part seven sets out various general obligations in relation to DRM, including extensive duties concerning the sharing and dissemination of information.
The eighth section sets out procedures for declaring emergencies and disasters, while the ninth section sets out the powers and functions of the CDC officers and other “authorised officers”, which apply when an emergency or disaster has been declared.
The 10th part sets out a procedure to designate particular areas as vulnerable to hazards and to develop precautionary plans for those areas, while the 11th part provides for a National DRM fund and its use.
The 12th section caters for procedures relating to international humanitarian assistance and sets key responsibilities for supervising and requesting international humanitarian assistance and also provides necessary exemptions or rules for diplomatic and customs rules, while the 13th section provides for various miscellaneous matters, including the power to make implementing regulations.
After Headley presented on the Bill, there was a question and answer and comments segment that saw participation from the public.
