International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction falls on O ct.14:

Sri Lanka ready to tackle Climate Change

by Nilma DOLE

As the recent Samoan Island tsunami sent shockwaves throughout Sri Lanka with many dreading the worst to come, the Director General of the Disaster Management Centre Major General Gamini Hettiarachchi said that Sri Lanka is now ready to tackle natural disasters like climate change in the future. "There are human-made disasters that have caused natural disasters and we have to face them all," he said.

Since the Ministry of Disaster Management and the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) was set up in December 2005 in the wake of the 2004 tsunami, the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Act was passed, providing a framework for Disaster Risk Management. A National Council for Disaster Management was set up that included several ministers and stakeholders with input from experts.

Speaking to the Sunday Observer was Director of Mitigation at the DMC, U.W.L. Chandradasa who said, "We offer guidelines for people to incorporate and adhere which mean simple aspects like building their houses to withstand natural disasters". In addition to this, he said that they are joining the Agricultural Ministry to grow crops that can withstand natural disasters. "It was now that we realised that crops harvested by our ancestors are able to survive after a natural disaster." He highlighted that Sri Lanka was badly affected by the 2004 tsunami because our natural coastal buffer (like the Hikkaduwa corals) was destroyed because of human settlements and tourist establishments on the coast.

Referring to their wide network DG Maj. Gen. Hettiarachchi said, "We liaise closely with international experts that include the Japanese MET department and the Pacific Early Warning Centre who keep us regularly updated on any natural disasters that may happen". He further commented, "We work closely with the media and emphasise to the public not to believe bogus reports of natural disaster warnings until authorised government representatives sanctioned by the DMC and its Ministry give approval".

At the moment, Sri Lanka is facing severe floods in various parts of the island and techniques for disaster mitigation and adaptation are already in effect. "We have noticed that climate changes have already affected us since our monsoon season brings more rainfall than usual and sudden periods of drought which have caused water shortages", he said. Talking about any possible natural disasters that could affect Sri Lanka in the near future, Chandradasa said, "We are predicting a cyclone from the Bay of Bengal that continues to affect Bangladesh and we are training villagers prone to it."

With regard to the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction this year in Sri Lanka, there are already programs underway in schools where curricula with publications and supplements on disaster management are being compiled. "In addition to creating awareness in schools, we have already started conducting workshops and trained key personnel pertaining to disaster management to gear themselves", he said.

Unlike before, people are more aware on how to deal and adapt to disasters since there is more education and awareness. Emergency drills are also done in commercial and domestic sector enterprises where there is knowledge-sharing.

The DMC's forthcoming initiatives include 50 Tsunami Warning Towers, islandwide VHF/HF Radio Communication System, a Call Centre, 10 Emergency Centres in Districts and a Last Mile Warning Dissemination to be strengthened using megaphones with siren. The DG said, "We are working together with Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe and his Ministry to approve these initiatives of which a significant portion is complete."

DG Maj. Gen. Hettiarachchi said, "Since Climate Change is an inevitable disaster waiting to happen, our Early Warning System and our links with international experts will help us identify a disaster promptly. After it occurs, we enlist Medical and Health services, send Search and Rescue teams, handle Camp Management and thereafter establish Village Security". By having a proper Disaster Management System in place, Sri Lanka is now ready to face a natural disaster promptly.