Government officials to explore comprehensive ways of coping with natural disasters

Strengthening the abilities of governments to cope effectively in the aftermath of natural disasters is one of the core objectives of a forthcoming major regional conference in Kampala, Uganda.

From 1-6 November, senior officials from across Africa will examine various tried and tested methods, which reduce the many risks - from fires to floods - associated with disasters.

“The recent earthquake and tsunami in the Pacific is a shocking reminder of the devastation and horrific loss of human life caused by natural disasters,” says Jacqueline Wilson, Director of Governance and Institutional Development at the Commonwealth Secretariat.

“Although we can do nothing to stop such disasters, we can prepare as much as possible, so when they do strike, governments are in a strong position to act swiftly.”

Participants at the conference will look at how to mainstream strategies that reduce risks into both the planning and implementation stages of government projects. They will also discuss best practices and lessons they have learned after disasters struck their own countries.

One of the speakers at the conference is Jeremy Collymore, the Executive Coordinator for the Caribbean Disaster Management Agency, who will share the comprehensive disaster management programmes in the region. Another is Mohammed Saidur, the Chairman of the Bangladesh Centre for Disaster Preparedness, who will focus on recent experiences in Bangladesh.

As well as these and other regional and national experiences, other speakers – who represent a broad range of backgrounds and expertise – will explore a wide range of targeted strategies which countries will consider. Joyce Umbima, a leading expert in child rights from Kenya, for instance, will discuss safeguarding the rights of children with safer schools in Africa.

Other topics which will be covered during the conference include:

· Introducing relevant policy and legislative frameworks

· Effective management of fire and ambulance services

· Community engagement in preparing for disasters

Organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Ugandan government, the conference will be attended by officials from local and central governments, whose responsibilities include disaster management or national development and economic policy planning.

All government officials from African Commonwealth countries who would like to attend this conference are invited to approach the Secretariat’s designated Point of Contact stationed in their country, who will advise them on the application process.

For all other enquiries, including contact details for Points of Contact, please email Kwadwo Frempong (k.frempong@commonwealth.int) or Shakira Lukmanji (s.lukmanji@commonwealth.int).

This programme of assistance was developed by the Secretariat after Commonwealth Heads of Government addressed the issue of natural disasters and humanitarian assistance at their biennial summit in Malta in 2005.

The resulting programme, implemented under the Secretariat’s Governance and Institutional Development Division, was developed “so that member countries could co-operate to build up their own and each other’s ability to reduce risks associated with disaster,” says Julius Kaberere, the Adviser responsible for managing this programme.

Key Links:

• Public Sector Development
• Country Profile: Uganda