ID :
26009
Wed, 10/22/2008 - 15:29
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/26009
The shortlink copeid
MALAYSIA PREPARES FOR POST-DISASTER CRISIS MANAGEMENT
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 (Bernama) -- In light of the tsunami which hit Malaysia's west coast in 2004, the country has begun mobilising and training personnel to ensure that it will never be caught unprepared again.
Deputy Home Minister Chor Chee Heung said Malaysia now had 100 members
in a special unit ready to be deployed anywhere, anytime to aid in post-disaster
crisis management.
"We have been sending civil defence officers throughout the world for
training since 2001. Currently, we have a special force to deal with either
man-made or natural post-disaster crisis management.
"At the same time a 10,000-strong volunteer force is also being trained to
help in this matter," he told reporters after opening the Sixth Asian Crisis
Management Conference (ACMC) here, Wednesday.
The two-day conference, themed "Disaster Risk Management in Integration
with
Sustainable Development", will discuss, among others, matters pertaining to
post-disaster management involving medical services, public order enforcement,
volunteers, and the use of remote sensing technology for disaster management
application.
Earlier in his keynote address, Chor said Malaysia had been giving strong
emphasis to increased awareness and knowledge practices on mainstream disaster
reduction as an integral part of the development process at the community and
national levels.
"Malaysia sees it as timely and appropriate to focus on safer community and
sustainable development through Disaster Reduction. This can only be done by
developing and strengthening institutional mechanisms.
"With such active involvement in disaster risk management, Malaysia feels
the need for a clear linkage among Asian cities to provide the needed assistance
to be effectively utilised. I believe this ACMC provides an excellent forum
towards better coordination and cooperation," Chor added.
He stressed that the Asian Cities Partnership was essential in coordinating
and managing the impact of disasters.
"It would be a challenge for us all to strengthen disaster preparedness and
take precautionary measures to monitor and mitigate disasters and enhance our
capacities to rebound and build back and be more resilient than ever," he said.
-- BERNAMA
Deputy Home Minister Chor Chee Heung said Malaysia now had 100 members
in a special unit ready to be deployed anywhere, anytime to aid in post-disaster
crisis management.
"We have been sending civil defence officers throughout the world for
training since 2001. Currently, we have a special force to deal with either
man-made or natural post-disaster crisis management.
"At the same time a 10,000-strong volunteer force is also being trained to
help in this matter," he told reporters after opening the Sixth Asian Crisis
Management Conference (ACMC) here, Wednesday.
The two-day conference, themed "Disaster Risk Management in Integration
with
Sustainable Development", will discuss, among others, matters pertaining to
post-disaster management involving medical services, public order enforcement,
volunteers, and the use of remote sensing technology for disaster management
application.
Earlier in his keynote address, Chor said Malaysia had been giving strong
emphasis to increased awareness and knowledge practices on mainstream disaster
reduction as an integral part of the development process at the community and
national levels.
"Malaysia sees it as timely and appropriate to focus on safer community and
sustainable development through Disaster Reduction. This can only be done by
developing and strengthening institutional mechanisms.
"With such active involvement in disaster risk management, Malaysia feels
the need for a clear linkage among Asian cities to provide the needed assistance
to be effectively utilised. I believe this ACMC provides an excellent forum
towards better coordination and cooperation," Chor added.
He stressed that the Asian Cities Partnership was essential in coordinating
and managing the impact of disasters.
"It would be a challenge for us all to strengthen disaster preparedness and
take precautionary measures to monitor and mitigate disasters and enhance our
capacities to rebound and build back and be more resilient than ever," he said.
-- BERNAMA
