Chapter 1 : Disaster Management in Myanmar

1.1 Introduction

Myanmar is exposed to multiple natural hazards which include Cyclone, Storm surge, Floods, Landslide, Earthquake, Tsunami, Drought, Fire and Forest Fire. Its coastal regions are exposed to cyclones, storm surges and tsunamis while major parts of the country are at risk from earthquakes and fires. The rainfall-induced flooding is a recurring phenomenon across the country while some parts of the country is exposed to landslide and drought risks. As per the data from 2000-2001 to 2009-20102, fires constituted about 73% of reported disaster events, followed by floods (11%), storms (12%) and others (4%) including earthquakes, tsunami and landslides. The Cyclone Nargis (2008) was the worst natural disaster in the living memory of Myanmar.

While the Republic of the Union of Myanmar is striving for a peaceful, modern and developed nation, natural disasters destroy the developmental gains and hinder the developmental interventions. The preparedness and mitigation should be an integral part of the development plans and programmes. It is also important to make prior arrangement for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities, in case a natural disaster strikes.

The Republic of the Union of Myanmar is committed to disaster risk reduction and it has systems and procedures at National, State/Region, District, Township, Wards and Village Tracts levels for Disaster Management. Furthermore, the Myanmar Disaster Preparedness Agency was constituted on 20 April, 2011 to take the systematic preparedness measures for the disasters which can occur from time to time in the country and to undertake the quick and effective activities on relief and support during the disaster. And to coordinate effectively among the countries in south east Asia and the Pacific region on search and rescue, and to lay down and implement the national search and rescue measures, the Myanmar National Search and Rescue Committee was also constituted on 20 April, 2011.