status of disaster management and early warning system in the maldives

STATUS OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND

EARLY WARNING SYSTEM IN THE MALDIVES

CAPTAIN MOHAMED INAYATH MSc. DPMMDirector, Programs NDMC

In the Past and In General

• Luckier in terms of disasters• Centralized and Reactive• Defense force and Police dominated and led

the emergencies• Most common events include fire, water

shortage, flooding and maritime incidents• Public health emergencies

3

• Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004

• Established NDMC by Presidential Decree

• Task Force - Response/Relief Operation

• Coordination Centers

• Tsunami Recovery and Reconstruction

including the IDPs Management

Turning Point

DM Bill

• The Disaster Management Bill (2014) issues responsibility to National Disaster Management Authority, currently called NDMC to lead and manage disasters in the Maldives.

• NDMC currently carries out emergency response and relief coordination and DRR activities in the country.

Roles of Local Government

Source: Decentralization Act of Maldives

Milestones

• Institutionalization of NDMC

• Establishment national early warning system

• Commissioning of disaster management plan for

tourism sector

• Development of Safe Island Strategy

• DRR and CCA Programs

• CBDRM

Maritime incidents

9

Maritime incidents

Flood

11

Flood

12

Fire

13

Water Shortage

Disaster Risk

Source: DIRAM

Basic Organisation of operations

Strategic Operations

Disaster Management

Council

DM Steering Committee

Tactical Operations

National Emergency Operations

Centre (within NDMA)

Disaster Management

Units (based at Atoll, City and Island levels)

Field Operations

Local Emergency Response Force

National Emergency Response Force

National Atoll/City Island/Local Level

Decision Making/Strategic

Disaster Management Council

Disaster Management Steering Committee

Atoll/City Disaster Management

Committee

Island Disaster Management

Committee

Emergency Management/ Tactical

National Emergency Operations Centre (National Disaster

Management Authority)

Atoll/City Disaster Management Unit

Island Disaster Management Unit

Field Level First Responders/ Field Operations

National Emergency Response Force (NERF)

Local Emergency Response Force

(LERF)

Institutional Mechanism for EW

NDMC

• NDMC is to manage and maintain a multi-

hazard early warning system responsible for

gathering and disseminating information

related to disaster during both peace and

crisis times through the National Emergency

Operations Centre, the NEOP.

MMS

• The Disaster Management Bill (2014) issues responsibility to Maldives Meteorological Services to maintain an updated multi-hazard early warning system to gather/seek information regarding impending disasters in the Maldivian territory.

MMS

• Since 2010 National Multi-Hazard Early

Warning Centre (NMHEWC) is based within

the Maldives Meteorological Services and has

been entrusted with the task of monitoring

the Meteorological, Geological and

Oceanographic hazards and informs the

concerned authorities.

HPA

• Monitor public health emergencies and

support NDMC in issuance of an early

warning alert for such emergencies.

• Disseminate prevention and mitigation

methodologies for public health

emergencies.

MBC

• Disseminate information and early warning in

the event of disaster as per set guidelines by

the National Disaster Management Center.

• Manage all audio-visual services to provide

verified early warning and response actions as

directed.

City/Atoll/Island DM Units

• The Disaster Management Bill (2014)

issues responsibility to the City, Atolls, and

Island Councils to disseminate multi-

hazard early warning procedures, share

information and instruct the public before

and during emergencies and disasters.

• Standard Operating Procedures for National Early Warning System – NEOC - NDMC

• Standard Operating Procedures for Multi-Hazard Early Warning Center - MMS

Alert Levels and Color CodesAlert Level Description

1 WHITE Hazard Identified--Monitoring and Watching For information only-- no impact expected

2 YELLOW Hazard Impending—Warning, Monitoring, and WatchingPreparedness Phase: Responder’s agencies and authorities alerted for possible mobilization.People living in the area to be on alert and observe readiness

3

Orange Hazard Threat ImminentPreparedness Phase: Public Warning for Readiness—Responders agencies and Authorities mobilize resourcesEOC full activation—MACS and ESF on alert

4 RED Response and Action PhaseEOC in full action—Response Operation launched and resources mobilized

5 GREEN All Clear. Cancellation of warning

Alert Levels and Color Codes

EW Communication and Dissemination

Communication Flow

Early Warning Alert Generated

(MMS, HPA, EOC)

NDMC(NEOC)

Media Stations Specific Agencies Island, DMU's

Communities and Public

Atoll and City DMU's

Communication Flow

Way Forward

• City/Atoll/Island DM Units

• CBDRM Plans

• National Emergency Operations Plan

• Relief Guideline

• National Framework for Managing IDPs

• National Early Warning SOP

• Integration and mainstreaming of DRR and CCA

adaptation and into the island development planning

• Disaster Resilient Resort Program

Questions?

Thank You

status of disaster management and early warning system in the maldives

Environment