Living with Risk. A global review of disaster reduction initiatives

Under the mandate of the CTGC, a series of
studies have been conducted to ensure that
national policies are translated into concrete
actions and that these norms are codified in the
disaster management legislation under consideration.
As these proposed objectives require
the evaluation of potential hazards as well as
their impacts on the local population, the
organizations that comprise the CTGC are
expected to carry out both historical analysis of
disaster vulnerability and risk as well as to conduct
assessments of current conditions in an
annual process of contingency planning. This
exercise, led by the INGC, is intended to
assure that authorities are actively addressing
concerns and recommendations throughout
the planning cycle. At the national level, a
report is produced which focuses particularly
on preparedness as well as prevention measures
in vulnerable areas.
Policy and public commitment: the foundation of disaster risk reduction
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It has become equally evident that while the
intention has been clear, institutions are not
easily reformed and individuals not so readily
retrained. Unfortunately, the vicious cycle also
affects international agencies, from UN organizations
to local NGOs. In October 1999, the
government of Mozambique released its contingency
plan for the up-coming rainy season,
noting the high probability of floods in the
Small Island Developing States
“In Tonga, local communities need the initial
support and direction of government to be
active in disaster reduction. They are aware of
what is at risk, but cannot implement measures
on a community basis because of a lack of
resources.”
Tonga response to ISDR questionnaire, 2001.
southern and central regions of the country. At
that time it requested international assistance of
US$ 2.7 million for immediate preparedness
and mitigation activities. The response to this
appeal was poor with less than half of the
requested funds pledged by the international
community. Yet only six months later, in the
wake of terrible flooding, the international
community gave US$ 100 million in emergency
assistance and relief. Subsequently,
international pledges for rehabilitation activities
following the floods exceeded US$ 450
million.
At the individual level there may also be reason
for concern as there is some indication that
populations have become dependent on emergency
assistance and therefore have a strong
incentive to maintain their vulnerability. Given
such a disproportionate application of available
resources, it is not difficult to see why effective
reform may prove difficult to sustain.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Gestão de
Calamidades, Maputo, 1999
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