Vice Chairman of State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win delivers address at ceremony to commemorate International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2022
NAY PYI TAW October 13
The ceremony to commemorate the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2022 was held at the Ma Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw and Chairman of National Natural Disaster Management Committee Vice Chairman of State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win delivered an address at the ceremony.
Also present at the ceremony were union ministers, the commander of Nay Pyi Taw command, deputy ministers, permanent secretaries, directors- general, representatives from the UN, INGOs, NGOs and CSOs, students and officials.
First, the Vice-Senior General delivered an address, saying “The ceremony has been held since 13th October, 2010 annually by prioritizing sectors in accordance with goals, targeted sectors and fields included in Hyogo Framework (2005-2015) and Sendai Framework (2015-2030).
In accordance with Goal (7) (Target G) of the Sendai Framework: “Substantially increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to people, the theme for this year’s ceremony is designated as “Early Warning and Early Action for all” with the aim of strengthening early warning, preparedness and early action.
The theme urges all to take urgent action in respective sectors properly and immediately based on early warnings to reduce the impacts of disasters, highlighting the importance of early warning systems, one of the natural disaster risk reduction measures, and preparation precedes success, as the saying goes.
When it comes to natural disasters, it is necessary to consistently take measures for preparedness, emergency response, constant awareness and readiness.
As early warning systems play an important role in disaster management, the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP 2022) held in Bali, Indonesia, this year focused on strengthening the peoplecentered early warning system for all natural disasters, compiling correct natural disaster statistics and effective financial resources and natural disaster management.
Therefore, it is necessary to take systematic management action in real time based on early warnings together with strengthening early warning systems in accordance with the theme of this year.
Four priorities under four sectors Sendai Framework for implementation of early warning systems highlighted the needs to invest in, develop, maintain and strengthen people-centred multi-hazard, multisectoral forecasting and early warning systems, disaster risk and emergency communications mechanisms, social technologies and hazard-monitoring telecommunications systems; develop such systems through a participatory process; promote the application of simple and low-cost early warning equipment and facilities; broaden release channels for natural disaster early warning information.
According to studies on implementation of Sendai Framework for early warning systems across the world, MultiHazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS) were implemented in 95 countries until April, 2022.
As Myanmar is a country with high risks and vulnerability of natural disasters, it is important to strengthen early warning systems for natural disasters. Disaster risks can be reduced only when people-centred early warning systems available to the people who will have to respond to natural disasters first are implemented and strengthened.
In Myanmar, forecasting natural disaster information and disseminating it to the public is mainly carried out by the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunication under the guidance of the National Natural Disaster Management Committee while other means including administrative channels and state-owned media are used to disseminate information to the public on the ground. Moreover, I would like to inform the public that the Myanmar Disaster Alert (MDA) mobile application has been developed to raise awareness of natural disasters and to make disaster information available to the public in real time.
Preparedness and preparations are fundamental to reducing loss and damage caused by natural disaster. When warnings are available in time, local people can be prepared individually or in families for evacuation. Officials concerned also need to engage in management affairs.
For disaster management, preparatory measures must be taken considering what can happen in future.
Natural disasters mainly result from global warming and climate change. So such issues should constantly be studied for possible impact and management based on our sources available.
According to climate change data, average global temperature is estimated to increase by 4 to 7 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100. Sea level is like to increase by 28 to 97 cm. There could be lots of storms and sea surges. Drought regions could become drier while the regions with regular rainfall will experience more. Carbon emission will become excessive and toxic formation will become thick in the seas and oceans. These can be studied in world reports.
The sixth report of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change- IPCC stated that climate change effects are far worse than expected. In future, climate change will be experiences to a greater extent. High temperature will surely cause adverse effects and it is important to adapt to climate change.
Like in other parts of the world, Myanmar is no exception. Over the past 18 months, the country has seen 748 fires, 161 waves of flooding, 1,502 waves of strong winds and 1,178 other disasters including quakes totalling 3,589. The State had to provide over Ks-3,647 million for over 1.5 million victims.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on ClimateChange-IPCC report, Myanmar is ranked third among the most disaster venerable countries. So, pre-disaster warning and necessary management play a key role in reducing disasters, taking response measures and ensuring minimum impact.
This is why, work committees formed under the national committee and ministries need to cooperate more deeply. Region and state disaster management committees also need to have links with NGOs and community-based social organizations. Systematic cooperation between the people and private sector will reduce loss of human lives, destruction to infrastructure and economic loss.
Laws and rules have been passed for effective disaster management. The standing order on natural disaster management-2022 has recently been passed.
It is important to adopt a people-centered early warning system and exactly follow the instructions in line with the warning system that includes early warnings to reduce loss and damage caused by a disaster and preparedness and evacuation based on those prior warnings.
Based on our natural resources, sources available and experiences, we need to have constant links with the ASEAN countries and the international community, respect the international framework and agree ments and learn developing technologies. Then, we will be able to reduce loss and damage caused by disaster. We must be able to live a disaster-resistant, sustainable socio-economic life.
Next, the video message of Head of UNDRR Ms. Mami Mizutori was shown.
Then, Management Committee Vice Chairperson Union Minister Dr Thet Thet Khaing explained matters related to reduction in disaster-inflicted loss and damage.
The commemorative video was then shown.
Later, the Vice-Senior General, Union ministers, deputy ministers and officials posed for a documentary photo and viewed the commemorative booths and disaster relief and rescue equipment.