JICA shares disaster risk reduction experience with local authorities

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) shared vital experience on the importance of developing Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) plans at local government level at a seminar held on 26 February in Colombo recently.

The sessions were organised by JICA together with the Ministry of Public Administration and Disaster Management and Disaster Management Centre. The occasion was graced by Minister of Public Administration and Disaster Management Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Japanese Ambassador in Sri Lanka Akira Sugiyama, Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration and several other stakeholders including officials from various local government agencies.

The customised local DRR plans recommend that local authorities should develop and implement a holistic and integrated DRR strategy which contributes to building resilience and efficiency at local government levels. 

The local DRR plans are developed as a response to achieve the target (e) of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, substantially increasing the number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies by 2020.

During the seminar JICA explained the eight steps necessary for the development of local DRR plans through ‘Practical guide for developing local disaster risk reduction plans towards 2020’ which provides ample guidance for the formulation of DRR plans at local level.

The seminar also advised that these plans should be developed in collaboration with the national government based on the legal framework in a country including specific measures against disasters together with goals and time span, as well as budgetary allocations. 

Furthering cooperation, JICA expects to broaden support towards the formulation of local DRR plans in the upcoming Technical Cooperation project in the same subject area.