Natural and Environmental Disasters

Beth | 29 Jul 2011
  A National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Management 2008 – 2018 was developed by a national taskforce and in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders. The Marshall Islands has also submitted a National Progress Report on the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action. The Marshall Islands lie in open ocean, and the islands are generally very close to sea level. The vulnerability to waves and storm surges puts the country in a precarious position even at the best...
Beth | 29 Jul 2011
Kiribati has submitted a country assessment to the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) entitled ‘Reducing the Risk of Disasters and Climate Variability in the Pacific Islands’. Kiribati has no disaster plan, but does have a National Strategic Risk Management Unit (NSRMU) within the Office of the President. Due to its specific geographic location spanning the equatorial belt, Kiribati generally escapes the major climate-related threat of cyclones. However, the...
Beth | 29 Jul 2011
Barbados embraced the Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Strategy in 2003, which focuses on promoting and accelerating disaster risk reduction initiatives. The Emergency Management Act was promulgated in 2006 to provide the legislative authority to mainstream the CDM. A number of challenges exist for disaster risk management in Barbados. Weather can be extreme: 58 severe rainfall and wind events of a significant nature were documented from 1955-2000. Climate change is likely to increase...
Beth | 28 Jul 2011
The Bahamas has built a range of approaches to disaster management. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was created in 2006. The Bahamas has established the National Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan (NDP) to handle policies related to assistance operations and to develop disaster response and recovery actions. In the risk management area, the Bahamas has established the Natural Risk Preventive Management Programme. Efforts are also underway to develop the Country Risk Profile...
Beth | 28 Jul 2011
Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs is the principal policy and directing authority responsible for civil emergency preparedness and disaster management. Being outside the Pacific Rim of Fire, Singapore is spared from natural disasters such as earth quakes and cyclones. However, the government is well organised to respond in case of emergency, with several civil emergency preparedness and disaster management frameworks for planning, coordinating and implementing emergency preparedness...