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RUTGERS UNIVERSITY MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2009
Delegation: Angola
Committee: Special Political and Decolonization
Topic: International Strategies for Disaster Reduction
Delegates: Hansin Kim and Amalan Krishnamoorthy
EAST BRUNSWICK HIGH SCHOOL
In the past twenty years, there have been over three million people affected by natural
disasters in Angola alone (Angola- Disaster Statistics 1). Recent disasters such as Tropical Strom
Kestana in Southeast Asia, the floods in southern Africa, and Hurricane Katrina make it evident
that natural disasters affect both developed and developing nations. These disasters also
emphasize the importance of utilizing disaster risk reduction and consideration of sustainable
development to protect the economic and social well-being of a nation (Burkhart 13). Moreover,
it is of the highest priority that international efforts be made to respond to this growing problem.
Angola hopes to promote greater international collaboration and the continued participation of
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in minimizing the impact of natural disasters.
The impact of a natural disaster is not limited to a nation’s economy, but also affects the
well-being, health, and social impact of the nation. Natural disasters are especially devastating to
the poor and impoverished, destroying their livelihood and attempts to improve their conditions
(Floods and Public Health in Angola 5). An increasing number of people have lost their homes
due to natural disasters and this number increases with the magnitude of the natural disaster. As
global connections grow stronger, the impact of a disaster in one region will begin to affect
others more and more severely (Ronan 11).
A major concern is that developing countries often represent high-risk areas due to rapid
urbanization and industrialization. Developing countries often focus their resources on endeavors
ranging from providing sufficient medical care, potable water, and expansion of the economy,
since these issues are considered to be of a higher and more immediate priority. Inversely, while
disaster risk reduction does not have short-term payoffs, they are of great benefit when a disaster
does occur, preventing loss of life and property and preserving the resources that would have to
be invested in recovering from the damage.
In response to concerns regarding natural disasters, the United Nations adopted the
Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA). The HFA provided an outline of various priority areas and
practical actions that may be taken to improve a nation’s resilience against disaster (Hyogo 3). It
also emphasized the importance of involvement by the local community and individual citizens.
Citizens must realize that disaster risk reduction is a national priority and that comprehensive
risk reduction and strengthening of disaster preparation requires a joint effort at all levels of a
society (Hyogo 26).
The suggested actions of the HFA were developed under the policies of mitigation and
adaptation. Mitigation refers to actions made to reduce or eliminate the hazards of climate
change. Adaptation refers to adjustments made to existing systems to minimize potential damage
and strategies to deal with damages already inflicted.
Angola is one of many developing countries that are at risk of extreme damage from
natural disasters. In April of 2009, severe flooding occurred across Angola, affecting over
75,000, destroying homes, schools, and businesses (Angola- Disaster Statistics 2). Additional
damage to the roads, bridges, and clean water supply worsened the situation and hampered
efforts to send aid. Furthermore, the flooding deprived people of access to medical facilities,
making it difficult to provide treatment for the wounded (Varley 32).
Angola has a vested interest in combating the negative impacts of natural disasters and
has undertaken various initiatives to do so. The Angolan National Department of Civil Protection
(SNPC) with financial assistance from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has
initiated a pilot program to construct a national early warning system that will monitor weather
patterns to provide public warnings of possible floods. The system will rate potential floods by a
simple three color system with a corresponding set of recommended precautions. Media bulletins
will spread information regarding the flood warnings in urban areas while colored flags will be
placed in more isolated communities to alert them to the danger (Angola: Floods 4). In
conjunction with this real-time monitoring system, individual communities will participate in
organizing training programs regarding how to prepare for and respond to floods.
Angola has also received significant aid from organizations such as UNICEF in
responding to disasters and preparing for future ones. Following a recent cholera epidemic,
UNICEF Angola helped provide medical treatment and immunization against other diseases such
as polio (UNICEF Humanitarian…..6). UNICEF has also helped launch government initiatives
like the “Water for All” program to strengthen the national infrastructure and improving urban
sanitation to reduce the spread of disease. In conjunction with the UN Disaster Management
Team (UNDMT) and UNICEF, the Angolan National Civil Protection Commission (NCPS) has
begun developing emergency contingencies to provide rapid response to communities affected
by disaster and a framework of the long-term recovery plans (UNICEF Humanitarian…..9).
The economic and social interdependencies between all nations mean that the issue of
disaster risk reduction requires an international response. Nations can also collaborate through
the United Nations’ subsidiary bodies to compile a database where they can share disaster relief
information with one another. This can promote cooperation between nations and help
neighboring nations reinforce one another by exchanging strategies and policy frameworks.
Likewise, interdisciplinary research, organized via United Nations organizations will provide
invaluable resources to understanding how to better manage risk as well as how to create
sustainable development that will reduce the risks present in rapidly expanding communities.
Due to the especially strong connections between bordering countries, regional
collaboration will play a major role in disaster risk reduction. As seen in the 2009 floods of
southern Africa, natural disasters can displace thousands of people, forcing them to leave their
communities and possibly cross international borders in order to find safety. The lack of
sufficient policies to address how to provide aid and necessities of living to these individuals
results in significant loss of life.
Neighboring countries can hold regional conferences to develop new unified policies that
establish a framework to manage the care of displaced individuals. Since these policies are
focused on a certain region, the outlines can be made more specific and comprehensive than an
international framework which may prove to be to general. Regional collaboration can also
extend to the pooling of resources to respond to a disaster. By utilizing the varying resources of
different countries, individual states that lack certain resources (i.e. helicopters, medical supplies,
etc.) could receive them from their neighbors.
In order to more fully prepare the people for a natural disaster, governments should
implement mandatory evacuation drills in workplaces and schools. Initiating such small-scale
policies improves the resilience and flexibility the country would have to a natural disaster. The
addition of frequent drills into work places and schools can greatly contribute to the preparedness
of a community.
It is equally critical that disaster risk reduction be applied to the community level. As
people continue to migrate towards urban areas that are poorly planned and developed without
consideration for sustainability, there will be an increase in the number and severity of mass
population emergencies. In addition, local community leaders are often the first to respond to an
emergency or natural disaster. Therefore, instruction and education of local leaders will be
needed to ensure efficient implementation of disaster response policies and mobilize resources to
where they are needed.
Educators will play a key role in informing the citizens of a nation how to prepare for and
respond to a natural disaster. Citizens should understand the basic health issues of water and food
safety, sanitation, and environmental hazards. The input and feedback of citizens to government
policies could help develop and evaluate programs for community disaster preparedness.
In the long-term view, the use of DRR principles and sustainable development policies
are needed to minimize the risks caused by rapid industrial and urban growth. The development
of stronger infrastructure will ease the dissemination of information and resources to respond to a
crisis. With the help of NGOs such as Tearfund, ECBP, and DiMP, less developed nations have
the opportunity to learn how to respond to natural disaster crises. These NGOs are especially
effective when establishing regional disaster risk reduction and management centers to conduct
research on factors that can increase vulnerability to natural disasters and devise means by which
those risks may be minimized in future development.
In conclusion, Angola supports regional collaboration and the creation of established
plans of action to quickly and effectively respond to a natural disaster. Sustainable development
and the integration of DRR policies are crucial to mitigate the effects of natural disasters and
improve the conditions of people
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