Reducing Communities Vulnerability to Disaster
From September 2005 to June 2007, ILEG was implementing a project which sought to reduce the vulnerability of coastal communities to disasters. This initiative arose out of the devastating effects of the December 2004 Tsunami which was triggered by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake off the coast of Sumatra in South East Asia. The project was implemented with the collaboration of 11 institutions each undertaking a specific aspect of disaster preparation.
The project components undertaken by the partnering institutions were; educational and disaster preparedness in radio programming (Mediae Trust); restoration of livelihoods of fishermen affected by the Tsunami in Malindi (Kenya Red Cross Society); improving disaster preparedness and response among Tanzanian fishermen (Tanzania Red Cross Society); research on the governance, rights and policy issues relating to disasters (CARE Tanzania); an in depth study at a rights based approach to reducing community vulnerability to disasters (Coast Rights Forum); a review of the legal and policy framework for disaster management in Tanzania (Lawyers’ Environmental Action Team) and in Kenya (ILEG); strengthening disaster mental health preparedness, response, recovery and on-going psycho-education (United States International University-Africa); developing coastal communities capacities for eliminating vulnerability to disasters (Ujamaa Centre); training on disaster prevention and management (University of Witwatersrand’s Office of Disaster Preparedness in Africa); tapping and using coastal natural resource management and knowledge across generations (World Agro forestry Centre) and protecting children in emergencies(the United Nations Children Fund.)
This project came to a successful conclusion in June 2007. It brought out various issues that need to be borne in mind as communities, civil society, NGOs and government departments continue in their own capacity or as part of their work to effectively prepare to mitigate the effects of disaster. First, the role of education and awareness is of paramount importance. Whether disasters are anticipated or sudden, sharing of information and knowledge whether traditional and modern scientific amongst all members of society greatly reduces vulnerability and adverse impacts.
Secondly, sustainable use of natural resources reduces vulnerability to disaster. Documenting and share indigenous knowledge is critical in reducing vulnerability as well as availability of restoring community members that have been affected by disasters. Thirdly, the role of government is important from development and implementation of appropriate legal and policy frameworks and the role of the National Disaster Operations Centre of the Office of the President in coordinating national disaster prevention and post disaster management.
The project gave a clearly depicted the importance of partnership and collaboration among the different sectors of society including government agencies, national and international NGOs, civil society, private sector and communities in disaster preparedness and response.
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