Papua New Guinea: National disaster mitigation policy
Management of disasters and emergencies in Papua New Guinea had been undertaken in accordance with the Disaster Management Act. The present National Disaster Centre management arrangements will be absorbed in the Authority whose responsibilities will also encompass the disaster management responsibilities, which will, largely, include environment and disaster mitigation throughout Papua New guinea. The main roles and functions of the Authority shall be:
i) To implement the National Environment and Disaster Mitigation Programme.
ii) To formulate, implement, monitor, evaluate and manage mitigation programmes and policies.
iii) To secure funding and manage financial activities.
The primary plans and procedures are:
i) Disaster Plans. These include preparedness plans such as warning and evacuation plans, sheltering plans, disaster and needs plans, search and rescue plans, and emergency services operations plans. Disaster plans are prepared on the basis of known risks, estimated impact areas, and predicted needs.
ii) Contingency Plans. Contingency plans are actions planned in anticipation that something unexpected might occur.
iii) Forward Planning. This concerns the development of specific plans to meet an immediate emergency.
iv) Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). SOPs are developed within an organisation to provide standard responses to anticipated situations.