DISTRICT DISASTER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY (DDMA)
To extend implementation and coordination related to disaster management in Sindh, as envisioned in NDMA Act 2010, District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) have been established in all provincial districts. The concerned Deputy Commissioner of the district acts as Chairperson of DDMA. As envisaged, the DDMAs shall:
Subject to the provisions of this Act, the DDMA shall be the district planning, coordinating, and implementing body for Disaster Management and take all measures for the purposes of Disaster Management in the District in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Authority.
To prepare a Disaster Management plan including a district response plan for the District.
To coordinate and monitor the implementation of the Provincial Plan and District Plan.
To ensure that the areas in the District vulnerable to Disaster(s) are identified and measures for the prevention of Disaster(s) and the mitigation of its effects are undertaken by the departments of the Government at the district level as well as by the local authorities;
To ensure that the guidelines for prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and response measures as laid down by the Authority are followed by all departments of the Government at the district level and the local authorities in the District.
To give directions to different authorities at the district level and local authorities to take such other measures for the prevention or mitigation of Disaster(s) as may be necessary;
To lay down guidelines for the preparation of Disaster Management plans by the departments of the Government at the district level and local authorities in the District.
To monitor the implementation of Disaster Management plans prepared by the departments of the Government at the district level.
To organize and co-ordinate specialized training programs for different levels of Officers, Employees, and Volunteers in the District;
To facilitate community training and awareness programs for the prevention of Disaster(s) or mitigation with the support of local authorities, governmental and non-governmental organizations;
To set up, maintain, review and upgrade the mechanism for early warnings and dissemination of proper information to the public.
To coordinate with, and give guidelines to, local authorities in the district to ensure that pre-Disaster and post-Disaster Management activities in the District are carried out promptly and effectively.
To identify buildings and places which could, in the event of a Disaster(s) situation, be used as relief centers or camps and make arrangements for water supply and sanitation in such buildings or places.
To establish stockpiles of relief and rescue materials or ensure preparedness to make such materials available at a short notice.
To Provide information to the Authority relating to different aspects of Disaster Management.
To encourage the involvement of non-governmental organizations and voluntary social-welfare institutions working at the grassroots level in the District for Disaster Management.
To ensure communication systems are in order and Disaster Management drills are carried out periodically; and
To perform such other functions as the Provincial Government or Authority may assign to it or as it deems necessary for Disaster Management in the District.
Composition of DDMAs and their roles and responsibilities are:
COMPOSITION:
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The DDMA shall work as a coordinating body of all government agencies and non-government organizations operating in the district and act as a focal authority in the conduction and implementation of plans and actions on disaster management
Additional Deputy Commissioner who is proposed as Disaster Management Officer shall also work as Secretary DDMA and will provide administrative support to DDMA
The DDMA shall ensure to take all possible disaster management measures in the district in accordance with the guidelines laid down by PDMA or NDMA
The DDMA shall provide leadership by taking initiative to achieve MHVRA Informed Disaster Management Plan goals and objectives
The DDMA shall coordinate with PDMA Sindh in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery
The DDMA shall provide guidance and support for the implementation of district response plans including management of the District Emergency Operation Centre
FUNCTION OF DDMAs:
To review the district disaster management plan, including the district response plan in-line with Provincial and National disaster management plans and policies
To ensure that risk maps are developed and updated and disaster-prone areas have been identified and prioritized in the district
To coordinate the efforts for prevention and mitigation measures that are undertaken by the government and local authorities in the identified vulnerable areas of the district
To organize and coordinate specialized disaster management training programs for different levels of officers, employees, and volunteer rescue workers in the district
To facilitate community training and awareness programs with the support of local authorities, government, and non-government organizations
To set up, maintain, review and upgrade the mechanism for early warning and dissemination of accurate information to concerned authorities and the general public
To review development plans prepared by the government departments, statutory or local authorities with a view that the disaster management plan has been integrated into the development activities and projects of the plan
To coordinate with, and give guidelines to, local authorities in the district to ensure that pre-disaster and post-disaster management activities in the district are carried out promptly and effectively
To prepare, review and update district-level response and contingency plans.
To identify buildings and places which could, in the event of a disaster situation be, used as relief centers and camps and make arrangements for water supply and sanitation in such buildings or places
To distribute relief and facilitate rescue or ensure disaster preparedness and response
To ensure the operationalization of the District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC) equipped with all necessary gadgets
To activate the District Emergency Operations Centre (DEOC) and ensure its uninterrupted operation during and after disaster events
To carry out rapid damage and needs assessment and develop a report for assisting PDMA and other relevant stakeholders
To coordinate and monitor early recovery and rehabilitation activities with the support of PDMA or relevant local and international stakeholders
To prepare and continuously update databases of external agency projects, future priority areas, funding framework, available resources, areas of operations/expertise, etc.
To perform other functions as deemed necessary by the provincial government or provincial authority for disaster management in the district