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{
"id": 1415174,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1415174/?format=api",
"text_counter": 466,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Ganze, PAA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Kenneth Tungule",
"speaker": null,
"content": "collaboration and information sharing, thus undermining the efficiency and efficacy of disaster risk management efforts. Hon. Temporary Speaker, these hazards in turn lead to disasters that cause death, injury, damage to property and environmental degradation as well as significant disruption of life in the community. Kenya’s development gains have been under threat from an increasing number of disasters. Historically, disaster management in Kenya was not viewed as an integral part of development planning. When disasters occurred, they would be responded to in an ad hoc manner. It was only after the El Nino rains of 1997, and the 1998 bombing of the United States of America (USA) Embassy that the idea of creating a national disaster operations centre was conceived to coordinate, mobilise resources and respond to emergencies and disasters. In 2013, the National Disaster Management Unit was established through a presidential directive as an effective and competent disaster management unit with an established command structure, budget and standard operating procedures based on best practices. This Bill is a step in the right direction for the country on matters relating to disaster risk management. It seeks to provide a legal and institutional framework for the coordination of disaster and risk management activities at both national and county government levels. It encompasses a range of activities aimed at minimising the impact of disaster in communities and safeguarding of their livelihoods. It involves identification, assessment and reduction of risks as well as preparedness, response and recovery measures. It also adopts a multi- disciplinary approach, incorporating elements of science, engineering, governance and social dynamics to comprehensively address complex risk scenarios. Clauses 3 and 4 of the Bill incorporates several key principles and objects underpinning effective disaster risk management as follows – 1. Risk identification and assessment, which involves conducting risk assessment, mapping potential threats and evaluating the exposure and vulnerability of communities, infrastructure and ecosystems; 2. Prevention and mitigation, which includes land use planning, building codes, infrastructure improvement, ecosystem restoration and public awareness campaigns to promote safer practices; 3. Preparedness, which involves developing plans, protocols and capacities to respond swiftly and effectively when disasters strike as well as establishing early warning systems, training emergency responders, stockpiling supplies, and conducting drills and simulations to test response mechanisms; 4. Response, where efforts focus on providing immediate assistance to affected populations, including search and rescue operations, medical care, shelter and human aid, coordination among government agencies, NGOs and international organisations inclusion for effective and equitable response efforts; and, 5. Recovery and rehabilitation, which aim at restoring affected communities to a state of normalcy and resilience may involve re-building infrastructure, restoring livelihoods, providing psychological support and integrating lessons learnt to enhance future resilience. Hon. Temporary Speaker, Standing Order 127(3) provides that the Departmental Committee to which a Bill is committed shall facilitate public participation on the Bill through an appropriate mechanism, including inviting submission of memoranda, holding public hearings, and consulting relevant stakeholders in a sector."
}