SAC Vice Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win addresses National Disaster Management Committee meeting 1/2022
NAY PYI TAW July 28
National Disaster Management Committee held meeting 1/2022 at Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement in Nay Pyi Taw at 1 pm today, addressed by Chairman of the committee Vice Chairman of State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win.
Also present were Union ministers, deputy ministers, directors general and officials, the chair of Nay Pyi Taw Council and chief ministers of regions and states took part in the meeting through video conferencing.
The Vice-Senior General explained the meeting agenda which included ministry-wise disaster prevention undertakings, accomplishments of regions and states, task that need cooperation and the approval of the amended standing order.
He said since its formation, the committee has been solving the disaster-related problems sector wise with the participation of the relevant ministries and region and state government till now. All must be ready to face the unforeseeable disasters World-wide changing nature of disasters must be constantly studied. The country must forecast the occurrence of seasonal and region-wise disasters and should set up best response programs in advance.
A strong structure, good working system and unity are essential needs in disaster management.
The management system must be set up at all levels from the Union to townships.
Every level should have adequate policies, projects and SOPs.
After reviewing the accomplishments of all the levels, requirements must be fulfilled. The natural disaster management calls for inclusive participation of multiple departments and organizations and the public.
So the management must be more systematic than usual methods. All-inclusiveness together with individual and group-wise skills, subject-wise skills and management skills is a must. Ministries and local governments must improve the working system while paying attention to the development of human resources, performance and mental strength.
Union Territory Nay Pyi Taw Natural Disaster Management Committee, region and state committees which are practically implementing the plans in connection with the local people are to place much emphasis on reduction of natural disaster risks. They have to make well preparations with different disaster management bodies, local people and supporting charity organizations to overcome the challenges of natural disasters which may fall. They must be capable of knowing human resources, infrastructurs and usable materials and applying them. Likewise, it is necessary to group the forces capable to be ready of responding to the natural disasters. If necessary, arrangements must be made for effectively deploying the man and material powers.
Only when not only officials from the natural disaster management body but the peopleparticipate in the disaster risk reduction measures will loss and damage in natural disasters decline. The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is marked on 13 October every year for raising public awareness of minimizing loss and damage in natural disasters. In 2021, the day was marked in accord with the theme International co-operation for developing countries to reduce their disaster risk and disaster losses. It is necessary to successfully the mark the day this year to lure the people to raise their awareness of natural disasters and to participate in the disaster risk reduction.
TheVice-Senior General discussed amandment of the standing order for the natural disaster management. The standing order 2009 was issued for natural disaster management based on experiences in the 2008 Nargis cyclonic storm. The order has been applied for 12 years. So, the standing order issued in 2009 was revised in line with outbreak of natural disasters across the world, the management system and technological development.
The consideration focused on drafting the duty and functions of 12 work committees,Union Territory Nay Pyi Taw, region and state management bodies,
and cooperation between the Tatmadaw and ministries. The National Natural Disaster Management Committee and the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement developed the disaster management measures as of June 2021 inaccord with the ground situations meeting internaitonal standard through the suggestions and remarks of the Ministry of Defence, relevant work committees, Nay Pyi Taw Council and region and state governments.
Currently,the draft standing order has been amended with the remarks from the Ministry of Defence, relevant work committees, Union Territory Nay Pyi Taw, region and state management bodies. After holding the meetings today, the draft standing order needs to be approved. And then, it will be printed and distributed torelevant departments and organizations.
Working committees and natural disaster management teams of Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory and regions and states have to re-scrutinize the already drawn disaster management plans to be in line with the existing order for 2022 and conduct briefings for the natural disaster management teams at district and township levels be able to understand the plans to be referenced.
It is necessary to focus on natural disaster management at each and every different level and cooperate in taking responsibilities. Measures on natural disaster management could not be taken by an individual or an organization and they are the tasks to be carried out by all collaboratively. Therefore, it is necessary to be strong in having communication, separation of duties and cooperation.
The respective working committees and governments of regions and states are to make efforts to ensure better, more effective natural disaster management tasks in sectors and regions where they take responsibilities for natural disaster management. All are to work together in unity with the aim of ensuring minimum damages and losses in responding to natural disasters.
Next, Lt-Gen Soe Htut, vicechairman of the committee, and Dr Thet Thet Khine, union minister, briefed on national management on natural disasters.
Afterwards, Secretary of the Committee Deputy Minister U Aung Tun Khaing presented tasks done upon the decisions made at National Disaster Management Committee Meeting 2/2021 and compilation of Order on Natural Disaster Management -2022 (Draft) and obtained approval for them.
Then, Permanent Secretary Dr Ko Ko Naing, secretary of the funds-raising and managing working committee of National Disaster Management Committee, presented statements of managing the funds and obtained approval for them.
The union ministers, the chairman of Nay Pyi Taw Council, chief ministers of region and state governments, and officials reported on measures being taken in respect of natural disaster management, measures prepared for emergency response in case of facing natural disaster, occurrence of natural disasters and provision of relief aid, and educational tasks on natural disasters. The Vice-Senior General took part in discussion on the reports and gave instruction.
The Secretary of the Committee and Deputy Minister obtained approval for decisions on the reports and discussion.
Afterwards, the Vice-Senior General gave concluding remarks on the meeting.