TCAR - Typhoon Committee

80
ESCAP/WMO
Typhoon Committee Annual Review 2009
adverse impact of disasters on the economic and
social development of Member Countries. The
ACDM continues to function as a significant platform
to foster mutual support and assistance in disaster
management among Member Countries through
capacity building programs, coordination and
multilateral cooperation. The ACDM also played
an important role during the Cyclone Nargis event
in Myanmar particularly in response and recovery
activities conducted by the ASEAN Emergency
Rapid Assessment Team (ERAT) and ASEAN
Humanitarian Task Force (AHTF) for cyclone victims.
In addition to the efforts taken above, Malaysia had
also sent a Medical Team to Myanmar from 25
June until 9 July 2008, comprising 25 experts
from the Ministry of Health, the Malaysian Armed
Forces and non-government organisations (NGOs).
Prior to the deployment of the team, Malaysia has
also sent relief items and medical supplies to the
people of Myanmar. In regard to the disastrous
Typhoons Ketsana and Parma that struck parts of
the Philippines on September and October 2009,
Malaysia had already sent 42 tones of relief items
on 16 October, 18 October and 19 October 2009
to the Republic of Philippines.
Malaysia has been tasked to lead the Sub-
Committee for the development of ASEAN
Standard Operating Procedure for Regional Standby
Arrangements and Coordination of Joint Disaster
Relief and Emergency Response Operations
(SASOP) together with the Philippines, Thailand,
Singapore and ASEAN Secretariat. During the 11th
ACDM Meeting in Kota Kinabalu Sabah, Sections I to
Section V of the ASEAN SASOP were adopted for
implementation.
2.4 Strengthened Resilience of Communities to
Typhoon-related Disasters.
2.4.1 Hydrological Achievements/Results
Technical Advancement
The InfoBanjir website (http://infobanjir.water.gov.
my) continues to be enhanced and improved in
terms of technology, hardware, procurement and
network expansion as well as its contents to meet
the customer’s requirement. It has recently included
rainfall isohyet maps where users can monitor and
assess the severity of rainfall of the previous
events. It has also included the improvement of on-line
flood reporting in order to expedite the dissemination
of the flood reports to the top management.
2.4.2 Disaster Prevention and Preparedness
Achievements/Results
National Disaster Relief Trust Fund (NDRF)
The Government has established the National Disaster
Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to
disaster victims. Building on the experience of the
widespread monsoon flood in 2006, the Government
through the Central Bank of Malaysia has allocated
RM500 million worth of special relief guarantee
facility (SRGF) to be administered by all commercial
banks, Bank Perusahaan Kecil & Sederhana Malaysia
Berhad, Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Berhad
and Bank Pertanian Malaysia aimed at recovering
businesses and rebuilding damaged infrastructure
in areas affected by disasters.
The response to the facility was very encouraging
with 4,641 applications being approved, amounting
to approximately RM472 million. This facility is an
example of public-private-partnership in which the
commercial banks provide the financing with 2.5%
interest to the borrower whilst the Central Bank
covers an additional 2.45% of interest and 80%
guarantee of the financing obtained.
Cooperative Establishment
The establishment of a cooperative in the form
of Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (The Endeavor Trust
of Malaysia) in 1987 has improved the resilience
of communities previously vulnerable to disasters.
Currently, Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia provides
service to more than 180,000 families in Malaysia.
Services provided include micro financing,
compulsory savings and welfare funds for the poor
and marginalized.
2.4.3 Research, Training, and Other
Achievements/Results Enhancement of Public
Education and Awareness
To instill disaster risk reduction awareness among
the public, various initiatives were introduced.
These include awareness programs for disasters
such as landslides, tsunami, and floods by the Public
Works Department, the Malaysian Meteorological
Department, the Ministry of Education and National
University of Malaysia under the Southeast Asia
Disaster Prevention Institute.
Several programs have been implemented to improve
the resilience of schools and hospitals against
disasters. The Ministry of Education in collaboration
with civil societies and UNICEF has put forward
initiatives such as the School Watching Program and
SMART Support Team in schools. The Ministry of
Health celebrated National Health Day by adopting