National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy strengthens nation's preparedness against disasters - PM

He said that apart from improving the understanding of disaster risks, the policy could also help increase investment in disaster risk reduction initiatives in terms of human resource capacity, institutional empowerment, expansion of mitigation measures and technology applications.

“I have also been informed by the Director-General of Nadma that one of the efforts undertaken by Nadma to provide awareness and understanding to the people on the risks of disasters in Malaysia is through the publication of the National Risk Register (NRR) document for the public,” he said.

He said this when launching the “Disaster Risks in the Era of Climate Change” webinar organised by Nadma, today.

The document, prepared in collaboration with Nadma’s strategic partner, the South East Asia Disaster Prevention Research Initiative (SEADPRI-UKM), will be launched by the Prime Minister next Thursday.

Ismail Sabri said the NRR was a good effort towards making Malaysian families aware of disaster management being undertaken in the country, the types of existing disasters and follow-up actions that could be used as a reference.

The document can also be used for the purpose of planning and mapping studies, monitoring, early forecasting systems, prevention, mitigation and risk reduction strategies.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said the disaster risk mitigation strategies, action plans and programmes developed should mainstream disaster risk reduction in all sectors as well as be coherent with global instruments including the Paris Agreement to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He said the science and technology approach was also an important step in integrating disaster risk reduction with climate change adaptation.

“In facing the risk of disasters, the well-being of Malaysian families is the key prerequisite, we target people who are always sensitive to disaster risks, have resilience and ability to adapt to disaster situations in this era of climate change,“ he said.