Records Security and Disaster Management

RECORDS SECURITY AND DISASTER

MANAGEMENT

TOPIC III : REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

ON DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN

TANZANIA

RM 628

Abdon Kanuti

Introduction

Legal and Regulatory Framework refers to the existence of necessary infrastructure which supports the control, direction or implementation of a proposed or adopted course of action, rules, principle or law.

It is a compilation of all of the legislation, policy, regulations, procedures, guidelines and agreements with which the public body must demonstrate compliance

The aim is to reduce, remove, prevent or respond to potential national threats of disasters.

Introduction Cont…

An effective legal framework should be flexible to accommodate new structures, systems and information needs.

Legal and regulatory framework on disaster mgt is typically intended to specify the reporting chain, powers and duties, preparatory requirements and facilities, coordination activities and all issues associated with the cycle of disaster mgt

Cont…

Government of Tanzania has developed and

established disaster management

structures and system as part of overall

process by creating policy, plans,

legislation, training and management

support all aimed at empowering the

individuals and communities who are

prone to the threats of disasters.

Cont…

As it was observed in the previous seminars, Tanzania is vulnerable to both natural and man-made hazards which have the potential of disrupting communities causing loss of life and damage to property, infrastructure and records.

The frequency, complexity and severity of disasters in the country are on the rise and this is further aggravated by climate change, unplanned urbanization, poverty as well as the threat of pandemics.

Cont…

Weak coordination mechanisms during

emergency response and inadequate

preparedness measures at all levels have

been the major challenge in the country

Summary

Existing legal and regulatory frameworks

governing disaster management in Tanzania

includes;

Disaster Relief Coordination Act, 1990

Disaster Relief Coordination Regulations, 1991

The National Disaster Management Policy, 2004

National Operational Guidelines (NOG) for

Disaster Management (2003)

Overview of Regulatory

Framework in Tanzania Disaster mgt framework in Tanzania (TZ) started

back in 1982 (Mamuya, 2010) 1982 the Government established an ad hoc unit

to deal with disasters (TANDRO) in PMO In 1987 the Government established Disaster

Relief Coordinating Unit under Parliamentary & Political Affairs Department

In 1990, Disaster Relief Coordination Act was

enacted and established committees (TANDREC) at national level down to the District level

Cont….

Tanzania Disaster Relief Committee (TANDREC) exist as inter ministerial committee for overseeing and coordinating overall disasters and relief operations at national level established by Act, No. 9 of 1990.

Functions of TANDREC includes;

Overseeing and coordinating activities designed to secure effective prevention of disasters,

Overseeing preparedness and operation of affairs in the event of a disaster,

Guiding, directing, approving and controlling activities of the Disaster Management Department as well as activities of the sub-Committees

Cont…

It is the supreme body on emergency and

disaster management at the national level, and

the Permanent Secretary in the PMO

chairs the committee and DMD is the

secretariat.

Members of the committee are permanent

secretaries from government ministries and

heads of early warning institutions.

Cont…

Tanzania has different Early Warning Systems to monitor various hazards. The early warning institutions within the government system include;

a) Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) –under Ministry of Energy and Minerals

b) Emergency Preparedness and Response Unit (EPRU) –Ministry of Health and Social Welfare

c) Plant Protection Unit and Food Security

Department –Under Ministry of

Agriculture

d) National Environment Management

Council (NEMC)

Cont…

The Disaster Relief Act No. 9 of 1990 is

considered as a standing legislation; to oversee

and coordinate overall relief operations at

national level.

The legislation aims at providing a legal

structure to govern and regulate disaster mgt

in Tanzania.

Cont…

The government through the Act of 1990, established the Disaster Mgt Department (DMD)in the same year. This is to ensure proper coordination of disaster mgt activities in the country. In Zanzibar, the DMD was only established in 2006.

The departments now seek to ensure that in times of disaster appropriate response systems, procedures and resources are in place to assist and support effected individuals and organizations.

Cont…

Therefore DMD under the Office of the Prime Minister, is the governmental coordinating authority for all aspects of disaster management in mainland Tanzania.

It functions as the central coordinating body during the response to disasters, promotes and implements prevention, mitigation and preparedness activities to minimize the adverse effects of hazards.

Cont…

NB: In Zanzibar, the Disaster Management

Department (DMD) follows under the office of

2nd Vice President

The department is also charged with the

responsibility of;

Coordinating disaster preparedness efforts and

activities in order to minimize the adverse effects of

hazards, through effective precautionary measures

And ensure timely, appropriate and efficient

organization and delivery of emergency response

Cont…

Disaster Management Department (DMD) works with the disaster management committees at regional and district levels. The Regional Commissioners and District Commissioners head the committees respectively.

Meanwhile, the Regional Administrative Secretaries and the District Executive Directors are secretaries to the respective committees.

Cont…

The DMD established the National Platform

(NP) for Disaster Risk Reduction in 2005.

The National Platform works basically to

smooth the implementation of Hyogo

Framework for Action

Cont...

The Platform composes members

from:

Government Ministries, Departments and

Agencies (MDAs) and LGAs

UN Agencies, International and National

Devt Partners, Academicians, Private

Sector, Religious (Faith Groups) etc.

Hyogo Framework for Action

The World Conference on Disaster Reduction, held in Hyogo, Japan, in January 2005 ( at which Tanzania participated) adopted five priorities for action (subsequently referred to as Hyogo Framework for Action)

These priorities were developed from an acknowledgment that the most appropriate way to reduce disaster risk was to integrate the various efforts “systematically into policies, plans and programmes for sustainable devt and poverty reduction” supported at all levels and all partners

Hyogo Cont…

The five areas identified were the following;

1) Governance (organizational, legal and policy framework)

2) Risk identification, assessment, monitoring and early warning

3) Knowledge mgt and education

4) Reducing underlying risk factors

5) Preparedness for effective response and recovery

Cont…

Government developed and established disaster management structures and system as part of overall process by creating policy, plans, legislation, training and management support all aimed at empowering the individuals and communities who are prone to the threats of disasters.

Tanzania has developed a National Disaster Management policy (2004) which describes roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders (Armed Forces, Private Sector, Fire and Rescue Agencies, International Agencies, the media, local community etc)

Cont…

The policy and the National Operational Guidelines (NOG) for Disaster Management (2003), sets the policy framework, which aims to develop adequate capacity for coordination and cooperation for comprehensive disaster mgt among key players at all levels.

Other objectives are to promote research, information generation and dissemination as well as mainstreaming disaster mgt issues into development plans and other sector policies and programmes at all levels.

Cont…

Other legislations that have emphasis in disaster mgt include the “Environmental Management Act, 2004” which prepares guidelines for possible environmental emergencies like climate change that may result into disasters.

Others are: National Human Settlement Development Act , 2000

Cont…

NB:

The Disaster Relief Act No. 9 of 1990

requires amendment that would reflect the

requirements of the National Disaster

Management Policy.

Cont...

All the instituted policies and legislations

does not address records and archival

materials as special govt assets potential

to disasters. This creates a gap on proper

treatment of records in the event of

disasters. In most govt agencies, records

are not accorded first priority for

recovery processes when responding to

disaster strikes

Challenges facing Disaster Mgt in

Tanzania

1) Government resources are not available in

amounts sufficient enough to allow for

consistency and continuity of development of

long-term preparedness measures. Funding

and resources provided by donor community

are bound to specific activities and time

(project based). Once projects are finished

the resources are no longer available.

Cont…

3) Risk assessment results are not fully utilized

for intervention and planning purpose due to

inadequate financial resources and low

priority accorded to disaster management by

senior policy makers.

4) Lack of awareness and information among

the disaster risk management stakeholders

and general public.

5) Absence of strong Disaster Mgt Committees

at the Local Government Authorities

Cont…

6) No consolidated database or website for

data and information sharing

7) Lack of enough skilled manpower,

equipments and technology

8) Despite the existence of Disaster

Management Policy of 2004, lack of

Disaster Management Act remains the

challenge to committees on

implementing the targeted activities.

The Way Forward

a) Recognizing public records as vital assets in

disaster mgt frameworks and providing

special treatment on recovery process

b) Public awareness and the role of media

should be emphasized in all stages of

disaster management.

c) Preparatory activities should be adequately

budgeted to empower disaster committees

on implementation for future plan.

Cont…

d) Strengthen disaster management committees

at all levels through training

e) Developing centralized communication

procedures and protocols to hand all forms

of disasters.

f) Strengthen sectoral emergency units

g) Mainstreaming disaster mgt issues into

development plans and other sectoral

policies and programmes

=THE END=

“The Best way to Change your Belief System is to change the Truth about You”

-Steve Chandler