Gov’t Launches Disaster Management Center Nixon Segawa The Bududa Landslides left villages swept in 2013 The Ministry of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees has today launched the National Emergency Coordination and Operations Center (NECOC) as it joins the rest of the world to commemorate the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction. The Minister of State for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Musa Ecweru noted that the International Day for disaster Risk Reduction seeks to reinforce government’s commitment to strengthen disaster and climate risk management at different levels. Ecweru told journalists at the Media Center in Kampala that the Center that has been launched will act as a national hub for early warning and coordination of mitigation, prevention and timely response to emergencies. “The established NECOC which is worthy $ 350,000 has be set up with support of the United Nations Development Programme and is a powerful means to prevent, mitigate, prepare for, respond and recover from the impact of disasters and climate risks,” the minister revealed. Ecweru remarked that through the NECOC, the ministry has been able to disseminate early warning bulletins including one on Ebola for purposes of educating the public on what they should do and what government is doing to prevent the entry of the dreaded virus into the country. “This is being done without creating panic and we are also coordinating efforts through the National Task force on Ebola to respond to the Marburg.” Ecweru said the NECOC is not a facility for only disaster risk management activities but a facility that should serve and is accessible to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies that have a role to play in risk reduction and will thus interface with all other early warning systems. “While the NECOC’s primary mission is the prevention and mitigation of the impact of disaster and climate risks, it has an equally strong capability to respond to and manage the occurrence of any disaster or emergency.” He added that the operations room with its latest IT equipment brings all actors in a central place allowing for better coordination and sharing of information. “Hazards and risk mapping for the sub-regions of Teso, Karamoja, Lango, Acholi, West Nile and Rwenzori have been completed and related information is being disseminated to educate communities on risk and hazards around them and how they can co-exist, without them erupting into disasters.” The theme for the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2014 is ‘Resilience for Life’ draws attention of the stakeholders in enhancing and building resilience in all aspects of life.
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 11:34:51 +0000
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