Disaster Risk Management Plan

Disaster Risk Management plan is a documented process that is used to address disaster risk. The assignment will focus on the key issues relating to formulating, implementing and writing an emergency plan. Potential and real implications for the wider uses of disaster management training are covered in this assignment.

Disaster Risk Management Plan

Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................2
Course Work 1.............................................................................................................................................2
Part 1.......................................................................................................................................................2
The process of formulation and emergency plan................................................................................2
Policy domain and the relevant principles operating procedures.......................................................5
Disaster management plans................................................................................................................9
Part 2.....................................................................................................................................................13
Critical evaluation of the weaknesses and threats............................................................................13
Coursework 2............................................................................................................................................15
Opportunity and challenges for the development of national risk reduction strategies.......................15
Opportunity for development of risk reduction strategies....................................................................15
Challenges in the development of the ownership.................................................................................16
Possibilities for the enhancement in future...........................................................................................16
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................16
References.................................................................................................................................................18
Table of Figures
Figure 1: National Disaster Management...................................................................................................6
Figure 2: State-level disaster management process...................................................................................7
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Introduction
Disaster Risk Management plan is a documented process that is used to address disaster risk.
These risks are potential losses of life, damaged assets and injuries. In other word, this plan
uses administrative decision, operational skills, and capacities to implement strategies and
policies in order to lessen impact of natural as well as manmade hazards. Disaster Risk
Management plan is essential, as it is vital for building sustainable and equitable future. It can
be considered as necessary part of some systematic efforts to increase resilience towards
disasters. The assignment will focus on the key issues relating to formulating, implementing and
writing an emergency plan. Potential and real implications for the wider uses of disaster
management training are covered in this assignment. The process of formulating and writing a
relevant national risk reduction plan is incorporated here. In addition to this, two plans will be
compared based on their strengths and weaknesses. Opportunities and challenges faced by
policy makers with respect to development of national risk reduction strategies are illustrated
in this assignment.
Course Work 1
Part 1
The process of formulation of emergency plan
An emergency plan is prepared to react to a risk or threat efficiently and effectively. This plan
includes planned procedures, disaster staffs and informed staffs. It maps out the process of
resuming normal business process, recording various data, reconstructing. The goal of this plan
is to create a culture of preparedness and awareness as well as to develop resilience for people.
The plan can be considered as a guide for employees and managers during and after a disaster.
Disaster management plan is prepared by a recovery committee, which includes
representatives from different critical departments. It must include representatives from risk
management, security, record management, building maintenance and computing department
(Paton and Johnston, 2017). The plan needs to spell out function and titles of each team
member associated with disaster recovery process. In addition to this, the emergency plan
must include certain methods for communicating vendors, supplies, support agencies
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alternates, consultants and departments with whom disaster agreements and contracts are in
effect.
The disaster management plan is provided for both minor and major disasters. It must address
community wide and individual natural disasters. The disaster plan must include initial and
ongoing training provision for members involved in recovery process (Fekete et al., 2014). Skills
are highly needed in salvage and reconstruction phase of the recovery process. The objectives
of disaster risk management plan are as follows.
 Execute efficient and rapid response during an emergency situation
 Provide continuous and uninterrupted education
 Reduce disaster risk in different areas
Key elements involved in emergency plan are preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.
Preparedness includes preparing some protective measures before disaster events. Response
includes implementing emergency procedures, which can lessen the impact of disasters.
Recovery means repairing any damage occurred due to disasters. The fourth element is
mitigation, which involves identifying the causes of disasters.
The steps involved in process of formulation of emergency plan are as follows.
To establish a planning team: There must be a group in charge of formulating emergency
plans, in order to be ready when required. Participation of each member in the planning team is
mandatory for making improvements in the emergency plan. A mission statement needs to be
issued to demonstrate organization’s commitment towards emergency management. The
planning team should develop an initial budget to meet the expenses required during
development process.
Analyze hazards and capabilities: This step is about collecting and gathering information
regarding current capabilities and possible hazards. A vulnerability analysis must be conducted
in order to determine facility’s capabilities for handling risks and hazards. Certain documents
are required to initiate this step such as risk management plan, security procedures, and
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process safety assessment. The planning team needs to identify local, state and federal
regulations for smooth operation of emergency planning.
Develop the plan: This step includes facility’s approach to core elements of emergency
management such as communication, life safety, recovery and restoration and property
protection. The team has to coordinate with other organizations to assist in development of
emergency plan. It is essential to determine local and state requirements as well as
incorporating those into procedures. Another duty of the planning team is to share certain
sections with Government agencies for approval.
Implement the plan: Implementation of plan is more than just exercising plans during
emergencies. It means acting on certain recommendations made during vulnerability analysis
and integrating a particular plan into organization’s operation and evaluating that plan.
Review the plan periodically: The final step is all about reviewing the plan from time to time.
This needs to be done after each emergency. The planning team should carefully analyze when
procedures and changes should be made and how much change is required to handle the next
emergency effectively.
Key issues associated with formulation of emergency plan
 It is hard to determine amount of resources available for recovery
 Differences in views of team members
 Lack of financial resources to implement a plan
 It is hard to organize everything during implementation of plan
 Commitment is considered to be an issue with respect to exercising plans
 Lack of proper communication among team members can lead to formulation of a poor
emergency plan
Stakeholders
Stakeholders are organizations and individuals having a stake in the outcome of a particular
risk. They are directly responsible for reducing specific community risk. They have important
information for assessing and mapping risks. During development of a disaster plan, Disaster
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managers and specialists set a priority and focus on partnership building in order to coordinate
multiple agencies, Government and society.
Key stakeholders involved in disaster management plan are emergency managers, ESF lead,
transportation officials, first responders, decision makers, private sector partners, volunteer
organizations and others. These stakeholders cooperate with each other for making decisions
and designing operational, contingency and strategic plans. They execute emergency orders
and response operations. ESF leads and emergency managers gather important players,
recommend specific actions and provide resources for facilitating emergency operations.
Transportation officials provide and order traffic operation resources for recovery process.
Decision makers collect information and provide appropriate recommendations for rescue
process. First responders are major stakeholders and considered as first line of response. These
stakeholders include fire, police, and emergency medical officers (Djalante, 2012). They
coordinate with volunteers and provide knowledge on local area. Volunteer organizations serve
as local assets after or during disasters. They provide relief services as well as support services.
They open staff shelters during disasters. Private sectors partners provide technical and
personnel assistance along with supplies and equipments. Another important stakeholder is
civil society. These stakeholders play important role during disasters. They involve in activities
like food, supplies, equipments and transportation. They engage in contingency planning for
providing best services to victims during and after disasters.
Agreeing Hazards
Disasters occurring due to certain natural forces are called as natural hazards. Individuals and
community have no control over such hazards. Such hazards cause numerous losses to property
and life. Common natural hazards are droughts, cyclones, floods and cyclones such as volcanic
eruptions, wildfires and Tsunamis. Disasters causing due to mishandling of dangerous
equipments and carelessness of human is called as manmade hazards. Some examples of
manmade hazards are plane crashes, train accidents, collapse of bridges, buildings, tunnels and
others. Both natural and manmade hazards have significant impact on environmental, social
and economic condition of a country (McCall, 2012).
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Assessing risk
Risk assessment is defined as the process of determining the nature and extent of risk through
analyzing hazards and evaluating conditions of vulnerability that could harm exposed services,
property, people, environment and the livelihood (Rausand, , 2013). A comprehensive risk
assessment evaluates likelihood and magnitude of potential losses. It also helps in
understanding the impact and cause of looses occurred by different disasters. There are five
steps involved in risk assessment.
Identify the hazards: This step includes identifying a potential hazard that can cause losses. It is
essential to identify location, nature, likelihood and intensity of hazards.
Decide who might be harmed: It is required to identify and analyze the things and lives that can
get harm due to certain hazards. This step should be performed for each hazard. Disaster risk
management team can prepare themselves for rescuing victims affected by such disasters.
Evaluate the risks and identify precautions: This step estimates potential losses of and their
impacts on society. The team can identify precautions through evaluating such risks. These
precautions many include transportation facility, arrangement of shelters and supply for food
and non food items.
Record findings and implement: By evaluating the risk, the management team keeps record on
analysis. After that, the team takes major steps to implement the disaster management plan
effectively.
Review risk assessment: After a successful implementation, it is necessary to think on the
assessment again. The management team needs to review the assessment from time to time.
Risk assessment should remain up to date. The required improvements should be done
immediately to deal with further hazards (Rausand, 2013).
Policy domain and the relevant principles operating procedures
Disaster management procedures detail all processes for identification, treatment analysis,
monitoring and reporting of risks. There are four principles that cover all aspects of operating
procedures. The first principle involved in operating procedures of disaster management is
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avoiding risk. The feasibility of risk management approach is dependent upon complexity of
operation, legal requirements to eliminate risk along with financial and opportunity cost. If any
activity or operation is found to be the cause of disaster, then it should be eliminated and
avoided before it is approaching (Paton and Johnston, 2017). The second principle is about
assessing the risk, which means identifying, analyzing, evaluating and controlling risks. Effective
methods should be undertaken for assessing certain risks. Control measures should be carried
out against the hazardous situation. The third principle is all about monitoring and reviewing
control measures, whether they are successful in controlling the situation. The fourth principle
focuses on keeping record on hazard management. The record should contain each aspect of
hazard management such as type of hazard, control measures and exposures.
Disaster management policies recognize different changes that contribute to increasing
vulnerability to disasters. It also identifies the influences of disasters on lives and livelihood of
different communities. The policy aims at institutionalizing certain mechanisms to deal with
disasters. It emphasizes preparedness on the part of communities, Government and
stakeholders and the sole purpose is to strengthen disaster management organizations. Some
major policies under disaster management are risk management policy, quality management
policy and others (Paton and Johnston, 2017). All these policies focus on relief, preparedness,
rehabilitation, mitigation and prevention involving diversification of vulnerable livelihood. The
aims of such policies are as follows.
 Promoting behavioral change towards disaster management
 Establishing evaluation and management system
 Establishing integrated approach towards disaster management
Policy domains are described in four levels such as international, national, regional and local.
International
According to the policy International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR) of United
Nations coined between the years 1990-1999, many experts from numerous fields and
departments shaped the global frameworks of risks and particularly those of disasters and their
overall management. Some of the major concepts of included within the particular policy are
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mainly hazard, exposures, and risk, so that the overall sustainable development is guaranteed
within the communities worldwide.
Another policy that was sanctioned particularly in favor of disaster-risk management is World
Conference on Disaster Reduction (WCDR). The particular policy was sanctioned within Kobe,
Japan in January 2008 among the United Nations offices for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR)
and the national government of Japan. The framework generally included 168 Member states
with which it was possible to mark an objective of catalyzing national as well as the local efforts
to reduce the risk for disaster, so that international cooperation among the global nations is
guaranteed (Chan, 2015).
Among the major policies and frameworks, SENDAI framework for Disaster Risk Reduction is
considered one of the major and renowned frameworks in order to reduce the risk for disasters
in an international approach. The main aim and objective of the particular framework was to
maintain sustainability through smooth reduction of risks for disasters in contrast to live hood,
health, economic, physical, social, cultural and ecological aspects of the individuals,
organizations, communities and the overall nations through completing the four distinct
priorities for action and seven international targets of disaster-risk management.
National
The following plans that were supplied as case studies for the overall project of disaster-risk
management are connected to disaster-risk management within the national boundaries of two
nations Ghana and Botswana respectively. The contribution of both the plans towards
sustainability and disaster-risk reductions in a national context is described below:
Ghana Disaster-Risk management Plan
In order to understand how the national government of Ghana managed the disaster risks, first
it is mandatory to coin out what the major disaster risks presently are occurring within the
particular nation. Some of the major risks are as follows:
 Pest and Insect Infestations
 Disease epidemics
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 Fire disasters
 Hydro meteorological disasters
 Geological disasters
 Ethnic conflicts
 Wars
 Aviation and marine accidents
 Water pollution of seas and other water bodies
 Oil spillage and others
The overall plan is broadly divided into three phases:
Pre-Disaster Phase
Within the particular phase, the responsible members associated within the overall plan are
said to identify hazardous and other harmful emergencies and according to that, they have to
coin out the major safe havens. In favor of disaster risk reduction, the responsible members
have to educate and train in order to make the citizens of Ghana aware of the causalities that
are caused due to the disasters (Samaddar et al., 2015).
Emergency Phase
After the first stage, the members have to form essentially the risks factors that are required to
understand the scope of disaster generations. Within the particular phase, the responsible
members are seemed to restore the utility services evaluating the crises.
Post Disaster Phase
Lastly, within the particular phase, the members have to continue the procedure of restoration
that was once striated in the previous phase and the national government shall incorporate to
construct accommodation structures.
Botswana Disaster-Risk management Plan
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The particular plan is similar to the above in defining the most common risks that are involved
within the disasters within the national boundaries of Botswana. The major national
governmental bodies and aspects that are associated with the plan are mainly: The constitution of Botswana Emergency Power act National Po0licy Disaster management Finance and Audit Act of 1996 Hyogo Framework for action (2005-2015) SADC regional water policy
The Office of the President of the nation is said to be responsible majorly for ensuring the
security, safety, social and economic well-being within the national boundary Botswana. The
National Committee on Disaster management (NCDM) has the major role to advise the office of
the president in order to require the declaration statements when a state is involved within an
emergency posed due to the disaster or number of disasters (Krüger et al., 2015).
Regional
Among the major regional departments, only the SOPAC division of SPC is recognized to have
connection with the disaster risk management (DRM) systems along with the close
relationships of regional cooperation. Within the regional boundaries of major continents, most
of the nations have developed concern for promoting sustainable growth through reduced risks
generation of disasters (Pal and Shaw, 2018). They have seemed to developed weather
forecasting and early warning systems within the regional boundaries, so that they are able to
mitigate the risk generated due to the disasters. There are seem to developed scope for the
geographical focused technical developed organizations that are responsible to recognize the
need for disaster planning in a much wider ratio, so that larger part of the populations are
saved within the regional boundaries of those nations.
Local
Within the local boundaries of certain nations and regional groups, the bodies that are
associated with the identification of risks disasters, are seemed to adopt the Disaster Risk
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Reduction (DRR) system along with the miniature systems, afforded by the local groups. The
particular system is prominent in providing sustainable development within the local cities and
towns (Scolobig et al., 2015).
Disaster management plans
SWOT Analysis of the plans
SWOT Analysis of Ghana disaster risk management plan
Strengths Weaknesses
 Ghana risk management plan includes
a number of natural and manmade
disaster fields such as fire, epidemics,
geological, war, and pollution of
water bodies and oil spillage, in such a
detailed manner that it is considered
a unique but highly applicable
document (Oteng-Ababio, 2013)
 This disaster management plan is
divided into three phases and each
phase takes different responsibilities
during hazard situations for which all
activities become easy to operate.
Plan can be undertaken by every
organization due to its simplicity
 The plan highlights hazard mapping as
a preliminary activity to risk
assessment and vulnerability,
whereas specific training and
education program provides detailed
information for public awareness. It
facilitates preparedness planning and
risk reduction so that people can get
in depth knowledge on hazard
management
 Disaster management vision of Ghana
focuses on reducing risk, especially
disadvantaged and poor people from
effects of environmental, natural and
human induced hazards. through
coordinating resources of both
 Lack of coordination among the
people associated in the disaster
management plan for which it may
delay or slow the recovery process
 Ghana is affecting by various man-
made disasters such as ethnic
conflicts, war and pollution of water
bodies. The plan is unable to
overcome the consequences of these
disasters due to unavailability of
specific solutions
 The plan is lacking in strategic stock
and disaster management scheme
and funds, because of which it is not
possible to implement it effectively
 The Act 517 of 1996 incorporated in
this plan is lacking in co-coordinating
and regulatory functions
 Due to unavailability of proper rescue
and search mechanism, the recovery
activities of disaster management
plan are affected
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Government and Non-Government
institutions, which helps in developing
capacity of communities and
individuals on preparedness,
recovery, response and prevention
from disasters
 The plan is getting support from lead
agencies like MOFA, GHS, GNFS and
Gmet and collaborating agencies like
COCOBOD, TCPD and MMDAs in
terms of funding for implementation
during different situations.
Opportunities Threats
 The Ghana Government is trying to
develop e-government system to help
in the disaster management system,
which may give opportunity for
further improvements like in the plan.
These improvements may include
responding immediately towards
hazard and effective post recovery
plan.
 This plan can be implemented
incorporation with Ghana National
Fire Service, Ghana Meteorological
Agency (GMet), Ghana Health Service,
Ministry of Food and Agriculture
(MOFA) Ghana Police Service and
Ghana Armed Forces, who can
support in terms of providing disaster
management funds
 The disaster management plan is
getting supports from international
level organizations such as
International Civil Defense
Organization. This has made the
disaster management plan to adopt
new strategies that can be applied in
disaster issues of Ghana
 The risk management plan can face
political threat due to lack of
continuity
 The global economic crisis is creating
various issues for the country to
maintain their disaster management
plan. The plan may find difficult to
fund different activities during
recovery processes.
 Local people are not much aware of
the situation and conveying the
situation to them or making them
understand regarding disaster
management issues is a difficult task
for the disaster plan
Table 1: SWOT Analysis of Ghana disaster risk management plan
(Source: Created by the learner)
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SWOT analysis of Botswana disaster risk management plan
Strengths Weaknesses
 NDRMP of Botswana is prepared
through consultations with various
non-Government stakeholders and
private organizations, which has
made it more efficient in comparison
to other disaster plans
 National policy on Disaster
management (1996) is the key driving
force for making this disaster plan,
which gives the base for eliminating
impact of future disasters and
chances of possible disasters
 Botswana Government has helped
the disaster plan to facilitate on
various international agreements,
which has allowed it to get quick and
easy confirmation for implementing
strategies
 There is ample support from ESF
primary agencies like district council,
central transportation organization,
DWNP and BDF for which the plan can
be implemented smoothly in local
areas.

 Communication is not effective
within the disaster management plan
in the country, because of which
conflict arises among members of
disaster management planning team

 The disaster risk management plan of
the country face various issues like
due to poor knowledge management
for disaster risk reduction. These
issues are ineffective ways to address
the vulnerability and risk exposure.
 EMERGENCY POWERS ACT included in
the plan does not contain specific
guidelines to disaster management
for which proper solutions cannot be
provided by it
 The implementation of NDRMP faces
major challenges due to lack of clear
legislation on disaster management
 There is a huge gap between the
objective and application of the
disaster management plan for which
it may not get appreciation from
Government and private
organizations
Opportunities Threats
 The disaster management plan can
expand its network due to presence
of multi hazard approach and
precautionary development planning
 Several Non-Government agencies
are dealing with rural people to make
them understand related to hazard
situations and its preparedness which
has can reduce the efforts of planning
team involved in disaster plan
 Botswana Government is also
supporting the disaster plan for which
 There are huge threats in terms of
losing many lives and properties from
numerous natural and human
induced hazards. The plan may not
serve effectively in situations.
 There is a high risk of industrial
accidents due to increase in industrial
sites
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it may get an opportunity to expand
the network in rural areas of the
country
Table 2: SWOT analysis of Botswana Disaster Risk Management plan
(Source: Created by the learner)
Compare and contrast disaster management plan
Disaster management plan of Ghana has three phases and each phase has different
responsibilities to handle with disasters, where as disaster management plan of Botswana has
no such phases. It has become easier for Ghana to tackle with challenges of disasters as it tries
to manage the disasters at different level. In addition to this, disaster plan of Ghana mainly
highlights on hazard mapping as well as training aspects to create public awareness. However,
disaster plan of Botswana is focused on outlining structures for coordinating and organizing
disaster risk management functions.
Disaster management plan of Ghana has a proper mission and vision to handle natural,
environmental and human induced hazards (Oteng-Ababio, 2013). The sole objective of this plan
is to create well-coordinated programming framework incorporating non-Governmental
organizations, Government departments and private sectors, where as objective of disaster
management plan of Botswana is to establish set of working definitions for important
components of disaster risk management. Risk treatment by the disaster management plan by
Ghana involves ranking of different risk in priority basis and addressing those risks through
determining effective actions for eliminating those risks. However, risk treatment of disaster
management plan by Botswana do not focus on setting priority for different risks rather facing
each risk as per its influence on communities.
Part 2
Training Implications
For disaster management plan of Ghana
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Implications for the weakness of lack of coordination among members: In Ghana disaster
management plan lack of effective coordination among its members can be observed. This can
be considered as a major concern in its functioning. The reason being, it may have adverse
impact on overall functioning of the team and make the plan ineffective (Burke, 2013). Lack of
coordination among members of Ghana disaster management plan may have adverse impact
on the overall functioning of the team members and increase chances of conflict and mistrust
among them. Focus of Ghana disaster management plan, which is to rescue individuals stuck in
calamities would not be achieved in such a situation. In the process of providing training to
team members, this aspect is needed to be emphasized upon (Pelling & Wisner, 2012). With
the help of providing with required training to team members and performing required
activities, coordination level among them may be enhanced. Team members may become
aware regarding the way in which they may effectively coordinate among themselves during
rescue programs.
Implications for the weakness of no specific solution for mitigating manmade hazards: One of
the major challenges for Ghana disaster management plan is having no particular solutions for
dealing with manmade hazards. Absence of particular initiatives and, lack of awareness about
issues major it a major challenge for Ghana disaster management plan. This issue can be
effectively mitigated by providing needed training to team members about ways to create
awareness about it (Paton and Johnston, 2017). Training is also needed to be provided to the
larger community in general which would help them to be aware of the action they need to
take to deal with it. Formulation and implementation of policies and laws can help in making
significant changes to this issue.
Implications for the weakness of lack of strategic stock and disaster management scheme: A
mentionable weakness of the plan is absence of disaster management scheme and funds. In
order to resolve the issue team members are required to be provided with training on different
government provisions and laws (Ahadzie & Proverbs, 2011). With the help of such training,
team members would be able to perceive about different government initiatives in regards to
disaster management and learn about any government funds available for disaster
management. Team members are also required to be provided with training about different
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government organizations from whom they may ask for financial help. With the help of such
initiatives, this issue may be effectively resolved.
Implications for the weakness of unavailability of proper rescue and search mechanism: Lack
of search and rescue mechanisms act as a major hurdle in effective functioning of Ghana
disaster management plan. As a result of its absence, the disaster management team, cannot
navigate in remote areas and respond in a prompt manner during disaster (Asumadu-Sarkodie
et al., 2015). This can be effectively dealt with the help of providing the team with required
training about ways to develop effective mechanisms on their own at low cost. Other than that,
providing them with training on new rescue initiatives can also be effective.
Implications for the weakness of lack of regulatory function during incorporation of act on
disaster management: Lack of regulatory functioning being incorporated in disaster
management act is a major issue in the functioning of Ghana disaster management plan. The
underlying reason being, in its absence, the functioning of the team cannot be effectively
regulated (Cozzolino, 2012). For this purpose, formulation and implementation of regulatory
framework and providing teams, training on these frameworks may turn out to be effective in
dealing with these issues in an efficacious manner.
For disaster management plan of Botswana
 Implications for the weakness of lack of communication: In the Botswana Disaster Risk
Management plan, there was lack of effective communication between the members of
the team. This is a critical issue that weakens the overall plan and may make the plan
futile as it sometimes results in conflicts between the members itself, which affects the
people who are trapped due to the calamities. This condition can be improved by
training the members, which can be done by providing communication classes to the
members, so that they learn how to communicate effectively during critical conditions
and help reduce conflicts.
 Implications for the weakness of inefficient teams: Teams are not so efficient to serve
the rural, remote areas, this condition can be improved, and the teams can be made
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more efficient by training them about the new ways, technologies, machineries and
modern techniques.
 Implications for the weakness of lack of knowledge: The people also have lack of
knowledge about the various disasters that can take place and affect them; this causes
many problems, as the people are unaware about the steps to be taken as precautions
to reduce the risks of the disaster. This can be overcome by providing exercise sessions
to the people and train them on the various disasters that can affect them and how they
can protect themselves and take necessary measures.
 Implications for the weakness of no proper guidelines in Emergency Powers Act: The
Emergency Powers Act included in the disaster management plan of Botswana does not
state all the guidelines properly for which the guidelines need to be designed to prove
advantageous to provide proper solutions during the emergencies.
 Implications for the weakness of lack of legislations: The Natural Disaster Risk
Management Program (NDRMP) is implemented in the Botswana disaster risk
management plan; however, this also faces major challenges, as there is a lack of
legislation on the disaster management. This situation can be handled by training the
team members as well as the people and making them aware about the various laws,
acts and legislations on the same. News and improved laws need to be made, which can
be implemented to further improve the conditions.
Many objectives have been set for the Botswana disaster risk management plan, which are
advantageous; however, not all these objectives can be achieved in the real scenario as they
are far from application. This is a major issue, creates a gap in the implementation of the plan,
and is not appreciated by the private organizations and the government. The objectives needs
to achieved and this can be done by arranging for training programs for the team members and
making them aware about the new and improved technologies around the globe. These new
technologies can help to achieve the objectives and hence helps in proper implementation of
the plan. These trainings measures, exercises and drills can help in overcoming the weaknesses
and make the Botswana Disaster Risk Management plan efficient and effective.
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Both the disaster risk management plans have many weaknesses, which need to be overcome
by proper implementation of proper training and exercises. The training should be in favor of
team members and the victims, who will be affected by the calamities. They should implement
it effectively to overcome the weaknesses and providing proper services to all people during
hazard situations.
Coursework 2
Opportunity and challenges for the development of national risk reduction strategies
In the process of formulation of risk reduction strategy, policy makers, officials have to
experience various challenges at local as well as national level, which is associated with issues
of integration, ownership and coordination. However, there are certain opportunities, which
are also experienced on their part in the process of developing risk reduction strategy ( Conway,
& Schipper, 2011). Effective utilization of these opportunities would help in dealing with these
challenges in an effective manner.
Opportunity for development of risk reduction strategies
Formulating risk management strategies with the help of active participation of vulnerable
communities of the society acts as a contributing factor in identification of local hazards. Based
on this identified local hazards, development activities and strategies can be formulated which
is in accordance to local preference (Gaillard & Mercer, 2013).. Hence effective implementation
of these activities at local level helps in successfully dealing with hazards at national level as
well. With the help of effective community, participation in the process of formulating and
implementing of these plans helps in ascertaining ownership that result in contributing to its
sustainability (Elliott, 2012). . This also acts as a contributing factor in effective decision making
in regards to prioritization and allocate available resources for developing plans. With the help
of advance planning and implementing apt development strategies helps in minimizing cost and
labor of relief, rescue, reconstruction and resettlement. Disaster risk management plan, which
is, community based helps in sensitize public about disaster risk reduction and thus help in
minimizing poverty. It also encourages Land development and land pooling. These are some of
the mentionable opportunities associated with development of risk reduction strategies.
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Challenges
There are certain challenges, which may be experienced in the process of development of risk
reduction strategies. In context to ownership, barriers are associated with lack of skill, control,
leadership, time and knowledge. To get in depth of the matter, local bodies which forms the
edifice for the functioning of national bodies, has limitation in regards to its staffs. This limited
staffs have to work in different sectors that result in increased workload on the workforce
(Bhattarai, 2013).. For dealing with disasters in such a manner in which needs of individuals
from every section of the society gets addressed, initiatives are required to be taken locally.
However, local bodies are seen to mainly focus on documentation. Herein, if there exists, lack
of leadership, it would result in ineffective integration among the team members in
efficaciously implementing and mainstreaming aspects of documents into reality and
incorporate it in development planning (Bass & Dalal-Clayton, 2012). For local bodies, co-
ordination is essential in mainstreaming risk reduction and enhancement planning when relief
activities are held. Herein, lack of coordination among local stakeholders and line agencies
makes it difficult for successful implementation of projects.
Possibilities for the enhancement in future
For avoiding workload on workforce, disaster risk reduction tools and methods are required to
be made directly relevant and incorporate in present procedures and structures. (Seppänen and
Virrantaus, 2015).Allocation of focal person is needed for management of associated activities
which would further help in developing leadership. In local bodies, enabling strong leadership is
required to ascertain integration in their functioning.
Conclusion
The above assignment highlighted on process of formulation of emergency plan, which should
include some key elements such as response, preparedness, recovery and mitigation. It is
essential to analyze hazards and capabilities before developing a plan for natural as well as
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manmade disasters. In addition to this, other parameters should be considered during
implementation of emergency plan such as involvement of stakeholders and assessing
vulnerability of hazards. It is concluded that, both disaster plans of Ghana and Botswana are
giving more importance on post consequences of hazards rather than eliminating possible
hazards. Emergency plans should focus on implementation of advanced technologies, which
can help in eliminating hazards. Disaster training and exercises are useful for addressing
consequences of hazards and facilitating development in urban areas. It is concluded that policy
makers getting many opportunities from risk reduction strategies in terms of getting knowledge
on new rules and regulations and building relationship with communities. The major challenge
involved in risk reduction strategies is the different opinion by stakeholders.
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