A Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis Committee was formally established last Thursday.
The Civil Defence Commission (CDC), in collaboration with the UNDP, briefed members of the new committee at a workshop about its policy framework and plan and emphasised the importance of the recommendations it would have to make, in the event of a disaster.
The new committee, which is chaired by Colonel Francis Abraham, had its policies and plans approved by Cabinet earlier this year, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said. It comprises representatives from 17 agencies, including ministries, public sector bodies and NGOs. “A focal point was submitted by the agencies to the CDC to represent the respective agencies on the committee,” GINA said.
Director General of the CDC Colonel Chabilall Ramsarup said the committee is tasked with assessing the needs and damage resulting from any disaster so that assistance can be effectively rendered to those affected. Ramsarup said it was particularly important for a needs and damage assessment, in the wake of a disaster. He pointed to Haiti, where one month after being hit by earthquake a needs assessment was not done. He said too an assessment is necessary in order to avoid overlooking people’s needs as there are cases where necessary resources may be readily available in disaster-affected communities or in the country but these may instead be imported as aid because of the absence of a proper needs analysis. One of the committee’s responsibilities will be to assess the needs of affected areas during a disaster and present a report to Cabinet with recommendations for approval. It is also expected to be ready to respond quickly in case of an emergency or disaster.
