United Nations Development Programme
Disaster Risk Reduction
Republic of the Union of Myanmar
Forest Hills Eastern
Disaster risk reduction remains an important topic in the world. Every year, on an average, 90,000 people die due to natural disasters, but 160 million people are affected globally. Natural disasters have been increasing at a steady rate. In 1970, there were 78 severe natural disasters whereas in 2004, there were 348. The United Nations began the Sendai Framework in 2015 and plans to have this framework until 2030. The Sendai Framework intends to understand disaster risk, strengthen the governing during a disaster, invest in disaster risk reduction, and enhance preparedness and protocols for disaster. Finding the correct protocol to protect the civilians of a nation from natural disasters requires a resolution. The United Nations must address this, otherwise, the procedures for disasters will not progress which will result in devastation in all aspects of the country. Myanmar requires immediate action to help improve the precautions needed to save their citizens and also to prevent their economy from plummeting.
In 2012, Myanmar launched the National Adaptation Program for Action to foresee any incoming natural disasters and inspect climate changes to be better prepared. Myanmar is susceptible to natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, landslides, and volcanoes. In 2008, Myanmar experienced the havoc from Cyclone Nargis (GFDRR). Cyclone Nargis killed over 140,000 people and the damage was worth over 10 billion dollars. Prior to the cyclone, Myanmar lacked storm shelters and was unfit in spreading the news quickly. Due to the natural disasters, Myanmar has lost a great deal of money. On an annual basis, Myanmar loses 185 million U.S. dollars due to natural disasters. In 2016, Myanmar’s government created the National Natural Disaster Committee which regulated internal resources and coordinated assistance from international countries. This committee also ensured better protocol and better regulation of budget during and after the disaster. Along with this, the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) has been aiding Myanmar. For example, in 2015, the GFDRR provided Myanmar with one-hundred million U.S. dollars to regulate the Ayeyarwady River Basin which has caused floods in the past. Overall, Myanmar has enhanced its institutions to manage the recovery from natural disasters and recognized the urgency to improve their regulations within a short amount of time.
Myanmar proposes that the United Nations Development Programme Committee comes together in finding a solution that creates a standard protocol that will ensure countries’ right to aid and protection of its civilians. Myanmar asks the Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group which has been working with Myanmar ever since 2008 to increase funding to predict disasters incoming and be prepared to protect civilians. Myanmar asks for a resolution that addresses these needs, ensures the safety of Myanmar, allows the country to progress as a whole, and prevent the economy from constantly fluctuating.
- Mariya Jahan