Model for a National Disaster Management Structure, Preparedness Plan, and Supporting Legislation

This paper, prepared by InterWorks, is based on a 1993 study of disaster management models from seven disaster prone countries (Bangladesh, Colombia, Jamaica, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey and Zimbabwe). That study distilled lessons learned and identified key issues to be considered when establishing or revising a national disaster management system. The structure of this paper follows the key issues identified in this study. The study is elaborated upon by the findings from the IGAD-FAO project on disaster preparedness, concluded in 1998, as well as material from other resources listed at the end of this paper (IGAD countries are Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda). The "Model" as discussed in this paper includes the institutional structure and institutional linkages which comprises a formal system of disaster management, as well as the support for the operation of the system including the national preparedness plan or strategy, and supporting legislation. (UNESCO)