Disaster Risk Reduction: Commemoration ceremony held for International Day

A commemoration ceremony for the International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction took place in Nay Pyi Taw on Thursday.

The theme of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2022 is Early Warning and Early Action for All, which is Target G of the Sendai Framework. “Substantially increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to people”.

Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice Senior General Soe Win in his capacity as the Chairman of the National Disaster Management Committee attended the ceremony and gave a speech. The Vice Senior General stressed the needs to be always alert and ready for disaster preparation and response measures.

In implementing the early warning systems globally, as of April 20222, the Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems have already implemented in 95 world nations. The Vice Senior General highlighted the needs to implement better early warning system, down to the community in order to reduce the damages caused by the disaster.

He added that press release and forecast on natural disasters have been distributed through the local governing bodies while broadcasting on the state-owned media. Moreover, Myanmar Disaster Alert (MDA) Mobile Application has already developed to provide early warnings for natural disasters, dos and don’ts during the disaster and awareness facts on the disasters.

During the 18 months period, over 3,500 natural disasters including fire outbreak, floods, strong wind and earthquake have occurred in Myanmar, and over 3.6 million kyats cash assistance have been provided to more than 15 million affected persons. The Vice Senior General stressed the importance of establishing the community based early warning system and strictly abiding by the procedures.

It was followed by the screening of video message on the International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction by the Head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

Vice Chairman of the Committee, Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Thet Thet Khaing explained the matters on disaster risk reduction.

The documentary video in commemoration of the International Day of the Disaster Risk Reduction was also screened during the ceremony.

The Vice Senior General and party later viewed the display of booths on disaster reduction and the equipment used for rescue and relief measures.