Malaysia undertakes initiatives to mainstream disaster risk reduction

Malaysia has taken several initiatives to mainstream disaster risk reduction (DRR) into its development agenda to safeguard future investment in the country.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail at the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (ACMDRR) said the impact of climate change was increasingly felt worldwide and Malaysia was no exception.

Sharing Malaysia’s experience when delivering her Ministerial Statement at the ACMDRR, Dr Wan Azizah, who is also Chairman of the Central Committee on Disaster Management said, in recent years, Malaysia’s exposure to a range of climate-related disasters such as floods, flash floods, landslides and strong winds had increased, partly due to climate change.

“Substantial resources have been provided to reduce underlying risk factors and promote sustainable development in the nation’s primary development plan — the ‘Five Year Malaysia Plan’,” said Dr. Wan Azizah, who is also Women, Family and Community Development Minister.

In the 11th Malaysia Plan, covering the period of 2016 to 2020, flood mitigation efforts would be further improved, taking into account the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, through the introduction of innovative solutions, she said.

Dr. Wan Azizah also told the ACMDRR that Malaysia had established a Scientific and Technical Panel on DRR to provide scientific guidance on disaster risk management for policy consideration, and to provide timely evidence-based input to support the operational activities of the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.

“Disaster risk reduction will succeed with the effective deployment of science and technology to support the decision-making process,” she said.

She said Malaysia too had developed the National Science, Technology and Innovation Plan for DRR to comprehensively and systematically address knowledge gaps on current and emerging hazards in the country, including taking an integrated approach to disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, to ensure sustainable development.

“Implementation of the Plan, which is now awaiting endorsement by the government, requires the commitment of multiple stakeholders,” she said.

Dr. Wan Azizah also stressed that addressing the challenge of earthquake hazards was of primary importance in Malaysia.

ACMDRR is a platform to discuss regional mechanism in tackling issues concerning reducing disaster risks in the Asia Pacific region. Over 3,000 representatives from Asia Pacific countries participated in the three-day conference which began on July 3 in Mongolia’s capital.

Original source: MalayMail
Published on 4 July 2018