By Fakir Hassen, IANS
Johannesburg : Disaster managers in eight Southern African and Indian Ocean countries have agreed to work more closely to combat the devastating effects of natural disasters as the third anniversary of the Tsunami that hit nations on both sides of the Indian Ocean on Dec 26, 2004 looms.
The special needs of integrating treatment and rehabilitation under disaster conditions for the huge number of people with HIV/AIDS in the region will also be taken into consideration.
Faced with the worsening impact of floods and cyclones and heavy rain this year having destroyed the livelihoods of more than one million people across the region, the Comoros Islands, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and South Africa have signed a UN sponsored Declaration of Intent (DoI).
Among other commitments, the emergency responders agreed in the draft DoI to share information and capacities for emergency response, establish regional rapid response teams, and develop protocols that allow for the free circulation of emergency personnel and relief materials in the region.
The group further agreed on the need for Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders to demonstrate the political will and financial commitment necessary to ensure the full implementation of their recommendations, including the reactivation of the SADC Disaster Risk Management Team.
In recognition of the high HIV prevalence levels throughout Southern Africa, the group also agreed that special attention would be paid to integrating HIV prevention and care into emergency preparedness and response.
“This year, many governments in the region have taken steps in their own countries to be better prepared for current rainy and cyclone season, in particular undertaking contingency planning for disasters,” said Kelly David, the head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for Southern Africa, which hosted the Emergency Preparedness and Response Workshop here.
“Now they are looking beyond that to how they can help each other and draw on international resources and technical expertise to better manage the impacts they all face from natural hazards.”