Disaster risk management strategy - Bhutan

The Disaster Risk Management Strategy, (DMSF) is formulated as mandated under clause 11 of the Disaster Management Act of Bhutan 2013and is guided by the Five Year Planning process. The DMSF is envisioned to serve as reference for disaster management by articulating government policy, principles, expected results, and clearly identifies priorities and focus areas to maximize efficient allocation of limited financial and technical resources. Subsequently, the Strategy outlines all key results that need to be achieved under each of the priorities and indicative activities that need to be carried out to achieve these outcomes.

The objectives of the DMSF are to provide guidance in implementing rules and regulations pertaining to Disaster Risk Management (DRM); recognize and acknowledge the respective roles of agencies and stakeholders; to establish linkages and coherence between DRM, Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and sustainable development; and to provide the principles, strategies and priorities to guide the developmentof various plans and programmesfor risk prevention and reduction, preparedness, response, recovery and re-construction measures.

The DMSF is designed as strategic derivative of DM Act 2013. It is formulated with long term perspective; thus, well aligned with thefour Priority Actions of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 –2030. Under each of the priority actions, the issues and gaps, key interventions and expected results are detailedin chapter 2. It also provides the necessary guidance in the development of medium term disaster management plans, which should be part of development planning process ofthe Five Year Plan. It outlines the context, rationale, and drivers by summarizing the existing hazards, vulnerabilities, disaster risks and current challenges.