DISASTER MANAGEMENT BUREAU STRATEGIC PLAN 2005-2006
PREFACE Historical statistics would suggest that Bangladesh is one of the most disaster prone countries in the world with the greatest negative consequences being associated with cyclones, devastating floods, riverbank erosion, drought, earthquake, arsenic contamination, chemical pollutants, urban pollution, fire and roadside accidents. Internationally, the conventional disaster management model (response, relief and recovery) is being replaced by a more holistic model, wherein the processes of hazard identification and mitigation, community preparedness, integrated response efforts, and recovery are planned for and undertaken contiguously within a risk management context to address issues of vulnerability. An outcome of the World Conference on Disaster Reduction held in Kobe, Japan in January 2005 was the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015. This framework calls for all countries of the world to commit: To pursue an integrated multi hazard approach for sustainable development to reduce the incidence and severity of disasters. To place disaster risk at the centre of our political priorities and policies. To integrate disaster risk reduction in our development work. To strengthen the capacity of disaster prone countries to address risk. To invest substantively in disaster preparedness. To reduce the relief - development gap and thereby reduce vulnerability. To enable civil society actors and affected communities to strengthen their resilience to disasters. To reduce the gap between what we know and what we do, with the critical ingredient being political commitment; and To build on the momentum of this World Conference to accelerate implementation of the Framework for Action.
DIRECTOR GENERAL S MESSAGE Bangladesh and our Ministry have a new focus, and ultimately we aim to be recognized as a world leader in disaster management. We do however, face many challenges: We are facing unprecedented change in technology We need to embrace a knowledge management and knowledge/information sharing culture Our population demographics are seeing greater urbanization and industrialization We need to develop, train and retain a skilled workforce, capable of delivering our new services and programs We need staff that are capable of accepting change and embracing continuous business improvement We need to develop programs and services that recognize issues of gender and the socially disadvantaged. We need to be recognized across Government and NGOs as a credible, progressive agency, and We need to understand the full impact of climate change on the environment and our activities in disaster management. Our future direction is to ensure we achieve a paradigm shift in disaster management from conventional response and recovery to a more comprehensive risk reduction culture. Our future focus is: To strongly advocate the adoption of a comprehensive approach to risk reduction and risk management, that is based on the international best practice model (AS/NZ 4360-1999). To engage the whole of government system in risk reduction and risk management through mainstreaming and advocacy strategies. To develop policy and operational frameworks for sustainable coordination, collaboration and information management across government, and with key disaster management stakeholders. To establish formal partnerships with government agencies, NGO, civil society and the private sector for effective and sustainable service delivery. To have a community focus with a strong emphasis on issues of gender and the socially disadvantaged embedded in programs. To establish and maintain strong regional partners and networks, and to actively contribute to national, regional and international disaster management agendas. To pursue the standardisation of disaster management training and systems to align with best practice standards, models and competencies. To build and maintain the professional competencies of our staff. It is with pleasure that I present the Bureau of Disaster Management Strategic Plan 2005-2006, a plan that strives for a better long-term future for Bangladesh. Rafiqul Mohamed Director General
PURPOSE OF THE PLAN The purpose of the Disaster Management Bureau Strategic Plan is to provide a statement of key strategies for the provision of services that align with the Ministry of Food and Disaster Management Corporate Plan 2005-2009 This plan will be reviewed annually and will be used to; Communicate to staff, NGOs, the Minister and Secretary, and the community what we plan to achieve over the next three years; Provide guidance and direction to staff as to how their work contributes to the achievement of Ministry goals; Provide guidance to DMB senior officials on the direction and focus of work for the Bureau; Provide a framework for reporting on our performance and success in achieving our goals; and Show the link between the Government vision, the MoFDM mission and the DMB strategies and activities.
PLANNING HIERARCHY
OUR FUTURE DIRECTION o GOVERNMENT VISION To reduce the vulnerability of people, especially the poor, to the effects of natural, environmental and human induced hazards to a manageable and acceptable humanitarian level o MoFDM MISSION To achieve a paradigm shift in national disaster management strategies from conventional response and recovery to a more comprehensive risk reduction culture, and to promote food security as an important factor in ensuring the resilience of communities to hazards o MoFDM OBJECTIVE To strengthen the capacity of the Bangladesh disaster management system to reduce unacceptable risks, to improve response and recovery management at all levels and to effectively integrate and manage the national food security system. ROLE OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT BUREAU The role of the Disaster Management Bureau is to provide effective, contemporary and professional disaster risk management services, specializing in risk management, mitigation, awareness, education, information and response and recovery coordination services. KEY RESULT AREAS Strengthening and Professionalising the Disaster Risk Reduction System. Mainstreaming of disaster risk management programming through coordination, cooperation and advocacy (partnership development). Strengthening of community institutional mechanisms (community empowerment). Expanding Mitigation, Preparedness and Response Strategies across a Broader Range of Hazards. Strengthening Emergency Response and Recovery Systems (Operationalising Response and Recovery). Supporting and complimenting the National Food Security System.
DMB SUPPORTING PARTNERS Ministries of the Government of Bangladesh Non Government Organisations Civil Society Business Sector DMB ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE DMB KEY SERVICES Government and Non Government Organisation Coordination Training Community Education and Awareness Media and Public Information Dissemination of new information relating to disaster and preserving the information Emergency Response and Recovery Coordination Disaster Risk Management Advise Other specific duties as assigned in the Allocation of Business
KEY RESULT AREAS KEY RESULT AREA ONE- STRENGTHENING AND PROFESSIONALISING THE DISASTER RISK REDUCTION SYSTEM. Our Goal (what we want to achieve) A professional, capable and skilled best practice Disaster Risk Management system. Our Strategies (what we are responsible for) Develop and implement a business planning process, including the development of a DMB Strategic Plan and annual operational plans. Develop and implement a Professional Development Strategy for DMB staff, ensuring all staff undertake training and development activities consistent with their revised role and responsibilities. Develop and implement a DMB Disaster Management Profile Enhancement Strategy which will include; o Partnership development with NGOs, civil society and other Ministries o Frameworks for joint programs across Ministries and with NGOs and others o A review and refocus of various disaster management groups and organizational programs Ensure DMB services are suitable to the role and responsibilities of the Bureau. Develop a national legislative and policy framework which includes o The preparation and promulgation of the draft Disaster Management Act o The development of a National Disaster Management Plan o The development of a National Disaster Risk Management Policy o The review, revision and reproduction of the Standing Orders for Disaster. Revise and align the DMB organizational structure consistent with the new MoFDM Allocation of Business and the requirements to implement the strategies contained within this strategic plan. Request government approval for the inclusion of the Meteorological Department as part of the organizational structure of the MoFDM, and when approved integrate them into programs and activities of the MoFDM. Request government approval for the inclusion of the Bangladesh Fire and Civil Defence Service as part of the organizational structure of the MoFDM and when approved integrate them into programs and activities of the MoFDM. Request approval for the inclusion of the Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP) as part of the organizational structure of DMB. Our key outcomes (how will the Disaster Management system be improved) Professional and competent staff with a greater knowledge and understanding of comprehensive disaster management. Increased and more effective information sharing and coordination within and across government, NGOs, and other stakeholders.
An established legal and policy framework based on recognized best practice disaster management concepts. An effective, well structured and resourced, high achieving Bureau KEY RESULT AREA TWO- MAINSTREAMING OF DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMING THROUGH COORDINATION, COOPERATION AND ADVOCACY (PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT). Our Goal (what we want to achieve) Disaster Risk Management principles and practices are mainstreamed in the whole-of-government and national development processes Our Strategies (what we will do) Manage and create an active committee system at the national level, including supporting the following committees; o National Disaster Management Council o Inter-Ministerial Disaster Management Coordination Committee o National Disaster Management Advisory Committee Refocus disaster management committee activities from conventional response and recovery to a more comprehensive risk management approach. Review, rationalize and develop a system of effective advisory and supporting committees including committees for which DMB has direct responsibility. Professionalise and create a international best practice disaster risk management training system, to include o The development and implementation of a National Disaster Management Training Policy o The review and revision of a National Training Curriculum consistent with the Disaster Management Training Policy o The development and implementation of a National Disaster Management Training Plan consistent with the policy and curriculum o The establishment of a National Disaster Management Training Centre (Institute of Disaster Risk Management and Research) Our key outcomes (how will the Disaster Management system be improved) Disaster management committees at all levels have increased capacity to actively engage in risk reduction and emergency response activities. Committees meetings at the National level are conducted regularly, and are effective in engaging all Ministries in disaster risk management. A National Training Strategy based on formal training needs analysis is implemented at all levels. A National Disaster Management Training Centre is established.
KEY RESULT AREA THREE- STRENGTHENING OF COMMUNITY INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS (COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT) Our Goal (what we want to achieve) Disaster resilient communities that have enhanced coping capacities across a broader range of hazards. Our Strategies (what we will do) Develop and implement education and awareness programs that are aligned with identified risk treatment strategies which should include. o Publishing of an Indigenous Coping Mechanism Guidebook o Creating and developing innovative awareness and community education programs to include the integration of comprehensive disaster management concepts within the education system Support the development and introduction of methodologies for integrating disaster management planning at a local level within development planning processes. Support the development and implementation of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Fund in community risk reduction programmes Analyse and integrate the issues of Gender and Social Exclusion into DMB policies, programs and services. Our key outcomes (how will the Disaster Management system be improved) Community risk reduction programs have a strong focus on issues of gender and the socially disadvantaged. Increased community understanding of local risks and potential risk treatments relative to their threats. Frameworks to facilitate the integration of community risk assessment outcomes within government agency development plans are established and operational. Local Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund contributing to community risk reduction activities
KEY RESULT AREA FOUR- EXPANDING MITIGATION, PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE STRATEGIES ACROSS A BROADER RANGE OF HAZARDS Our Goal (what we want to achieve) Development of policies and programmes that recognize climate change impacts on hazards and risks to communities, and mitigation strategies that are based on a risk management assessment. Our Strategies (what we will do) Assess Bureau programs and services to ensure climate change issues are adequately addressed. Create awareness within National Disaster Management committees on climate change issues. Support the development and implementation of Community Risk Assessment Guidelines which include, but are not limited to o Earthquake o Tsunami o Rural Flood o Urban Flood o Flash Flood o Cyclone o Tornado o River Bank Erosion o Environmental pollution Support the development of a Drought Prediction Model and its integration into within community risk assessment processes Support the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence (BFSCD) in the analysis and assessment of needs and priorities for an Urban Search and Rescue capability. Support the Ministry of the Environment and Forest (MoEF) in the integration of climate change research within community risk assessment and emergency response models. Our key outcomes (how will the Disaster Management system be improved) An information database and climate change research that informs comprehensive disaster management programs and emergency response. Standardised risk assessment guidelines that incorporate climate change and formal hazard and risk analysis considerations. A plan to enhance the Urban Search and Rescue capability developed and approved.
KEY RESULT AREA FIVE- STRENGTHENING EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND RECOVERY (RELIEF AND REHABILITATION) SYSTEMS (OPERATIONALIZING RESPONSE AND RECOVERY) Our Goal (what we want to achieve) Greater levels of coordination and cooperation at regional and national levels, and enhanced whole-of-government information, warning and reporting systems. Our Strategies (what we will do) Develop, validate and implement preparedness, response and relief management systems based on the All Hazards model Develop and maintain an effective emergency response and recovery coordination system which will include; o The establishment and operationilization of a National Disaster Management Information Centre o The establishment and operationilization of District Disaster Management Information Centres o The development of a Damage and Needs Assessment Methodology and its implementation within response planning systems o The integration of a Food Security Policy within relief operational procedures o The development and implementation of a Search and Rescue capacity building program o The development of an All Hazards community warning system Create and develop an effective emergency response information/situation reporting system from the national to community level. Develop frameworks and policies for the integration of NGOs, civil society, private business, and national and international support into the emergency response and recovery planning and coordination processes and programs. Our key outcomes (how will the Disaster Management system be improved) An effective Disaster Information Management and Coordination Centre at the national level, and in targeted districts. An effective national and community all hazards warning system. Greater levels of coordination and information acquisition and dissemination across government agencies, NGOs, and civil society networks. Enhanced national and regional cooperation and networks. Coordinated, timely and appropriate response and more effective damage assessment, relief and recovery systems. Urban search and rescue capability progressively enhanced and tested.
KEY RESULT AREA SIX- MAINTAINING AND STRENGTHENING THE NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY SYSTEM. Our Goal (what we want to achieve) To support and compliment the development of a robust, well managed, equitable and disaster risk resilient national food security system. Our Strategies (what we will do) Support the development, strengthening, and implementation of a national food security policy and strategies. Assist in the establishment, maintenance and enhancement of a dependable national food security system. Provide input into food planning, research and monitoring. Support DGoF in the management of drought, famine and food shortage situations. Our key outcomes (how will the Disaster Management system be improved) Support to the Directorate-General of Food is timely and effective