Disaster Risk Management & Food Security Sector (DRMSS), Ministry of Agriculture

(MOA)

Policy and Institutional Framework for Effective Disaster Risk Management in Ethiopia

By

Muluneh Woldemariam

August, 2013

China

Outline

1. Disasters in Ethiopia

2. Disaster Management in Ethiopia

3. Policy Framework

4. Risk Assessments - Disaster Risk Profiles

5. DRM SPIF Framework – Key Points

6. Coordination and capacity building

Map of Ethiopia

1. Disasters in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is highly vulnerable to a wide range of disasters.

Major disasters are drought, flood, human and livestock epidemics, crop pests, conflict etc.

Drought remains the country’s leading major hazard while Flood is the second major hazard next to drought

Recent experience shows an apparent marked increase in flood disaster in area coverage and frequency of such disasters (climate change and associated risks)

2. Disaster Management in Ethiopia

Pre-1973: no organized DM system, ad-hoc response to crises.

Until 1973, there was no organized disaster management institution and therefore response to crisis up until then was ad hoc

1973: Relief & Rehabilitation Commission (RRC)

The first formal Govt. disaster management institution was established in 1973 with the establishment of the RRC with a mandate of providing relief assistance to drought affected people in Wollo and Tigray

Disaster Risk Management (Cont.)

The first organization, RRC, was re-organized and merged with settlement and Awash Valley Development Authorities in 1978 with a mandate of relief and rehabilitation including settlement programs

In 1993, the policy on NPDPM issued. Following the

ratification of the policy RRC once again re-organized and changed into DPPC in 1995 with a major change in its mandate (Relief supplies and Disaster Prevention through linking relief to development)

DPPC was renamed again as the Disaster Prevention and

Preparedness Agency (DPPA), with a revised mandate to focus on emergency response.

Disaster Risk Management (Cont.)

The system had been practically relief oriented and therefore was quite effective in saving lives, but its contribution to reduce vulnerability to disaster risks as well as poverty reduction efforts

low. Reengineering the way the country manages its

disaster risks and related vulnerabilities was needed

In order to implement DRM in the country a new structure was necessary.

This structure which is based on BPR has brought Early Warning and Response Directorate and Food Security Coordination Directorate under one roof i.e. Disaster Risk Management Food Security Sector (DRMFSS) 2008.

The same structures are replicated in all regions of the country for better coordination and implementation.

National DRM & Food Security coordination structure

MOA

FSCDEWRD

Logistics management Case Team

Safety net and household asset

building case team

Resettlement coordination Case Team

Aid agencies Coordination

Case Worker

Finance & Procurement Case Team

EWRIMCase Worker

DRMFSS

Emergency Logistics

management

Case Team

Emergency Finance &

Procurement Case Team

EFSRA

NDPPFO

NDPPC

DRMEWR Case Team

3. Policy Framework

National Policy on Disaster Prevention & Management (NPDPM) – 1993 revised and National Policy and Strategy on Disaster Risk Management is developed.

The DRM policy focuses on:-

Full DRM cycle – prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery and rehabilitation.

Focus on proactive risk management.

Aligned with the Hyogo Framework of Action.

Multi-hazard and multi-sector approach

Informed decision making based on strong risk assessments and early warning system

Emphasize decentralized and community-based DRM System etc.

4. Risk Assessments - Disaster Risk Profiles

An information system being developed to implement the new DRM approach

Disaster Risk Profile for every wereda in country based on information collected from communities, households and DRM actors

Builds upon livelihood assessments, and includes other risk elements

Analyses risk and vulnerabilities in all areas and hence appropriate context-specific risk transfer mechanisms and tools

Included in the 5-Year Development Plan of the country (Growth & Transformation Plan)

4.1.Risk Profile as the Beginning of DRM Process

Risk Profiles

DRR Planning

Early Warning Systems

Contingency Planning

Analyses of

underlying

causes of

disasters

• Management of causal factors of

disasters

• Reduction in exposure to hazards

and vulnerability

• Wise management of land and

environment

• Improved

preparedness for

adverse events

• Improved

preparedness for

adverse events

4.2. Major Achievements

Standardized system of risk assessment in the country

Multi-Agency Partnership

Supported by over 25 organizations (Govt., Donors, UN, Research, NGOs)

Coverage

Completed for over 250 districts

100,000 household interviews, 4000 FGDs and 2000 KIIs

Plan to complete all districts in country by 2014-15 (current FYP)

Training and Capacity Development:

Over 3000 wereda, zonal, regional and federal staffs trained in risk assessments

Planning Process

Risk Profile-based DRR Plans & Contingency Plans being prepared and EWS being contextualised

4.3.Early Warning System

Early Warning Checklists

Data collected on weekly and monthly basis from all districts in the country

Database maintained since year 1999

LEAP – Livelihood Early Assessment & Protection

Weather risk management tool

Using Water Balance Model, converts agro-meteorological data (collected from weather stations and remote sensing devices) into crop and rangeland production estimates

5. DRM SPIF Framework – Key Points

Rationale for Investment: despite significant recent gains, the impact of disasters can still undermine national GTP goals requiring a sustained and coordinated investment framework

DRM Linkages: DRM is multi-sectoral and whole-of-government approach requiring clear linkages:

• External: at policy, institutional and operational levels

• Internal: between information systems, contingency planning, response, and funding modalities

DRM principles: enshrined in the policy to guide action:

• DRM will be integrated in national development efforts

DRM SPIF Framework (cont.)

• Decentralized and community based with strong community role

• Wide participation of stakeholders

• Clear accountability and responsibility assigned

• Information management vital

• Comprehensive capacity development critical to success of DRM

• Builds on existing institutions and lessons learnt

DRM-SPIF Objectives

• Development Objective: • To reduce disaster risks and the impacts of disasters through the

establishment of a comprehensive and integrated disaster risk management system

• The Specific Objectives are: • Reduce disaster risks and vulnerability that hinder

development, primarily by focusing on proactive measures, establishing a culture of risk reduction in regular development programmes, and addressing the underlying causes of recurrent disasters;

• Save lives and protect livelihoods in the event of disasters and ensure the recovery and rehabilitation of all disaster-affected populations;

• Promote the resilience of people vulnerable to disasters; • Mainstream DRM into all sectors, and ensure DRM is integrated

into regular development programmes and implemented at all levels.

Coordination and Capacity Building

1. NIMS Program (National Incident Management System)

To strengthen the on-going DRM activities, the Government of Ethiopian and government of US initiated a partnership for capacity building on disaster management,

The purpose of the support is to adapt relevant components of the US’s National Incident Management System (NIMS) and to customize and incorporate into Ethiopian context in order to strengthen the existing DRM practices in the country.

(MAC,EOC,ICS)

Continued

2. ECC(Emergency coordination center

.provides a central location for stake holders to coordinate information and resources while implementing multi-Agency coordination(MAC)Group decisions, and to receive and process requests from incident command posts in the field.

.Acquire ,allocate, and track recourses

.Manage and share information

.Establish response priorities among incidents

African Disaster Risk Management Centre

3.The main objective of the center is to respond to capacity building needs on disaster risk management in Ethiopia as well as other African countries. The center is housed in Addis Ababa University.

Thank you for your attention.