News
"NDMA Urges Government: Boost Investment to Tackle Natural Disasters"
12 October 2023
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has urged the newly formed government to boost investment and allocate a budget to effectively address natural disasters. On the occasion of International Disaster Risk Reduction Day, the NDMA outlined key priorities for the government, emphasizing the need to:
- Ensure the NDMA can exercise its powers under the Disaster Management Act.
- Increase investment and allocate funds to integrate disaster management into development plans, prioritizing secure infrastructure.
- Raise awareness about insurance to mitigate potential losses in vulnerable sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, subsistence activities, businesses, boats, and tourism.
- Consider mandatory insurance for certain sectors.
- Facilitate risk transfer through insurance schemes across all sectors, promoting collaboration between the MMA and insurance companies for accessibility and friendliness.
The NDMA advocates for these measures in response to the escalating state expenditure on natural disasters, which has reached Rs 4.9 million this year. The government has already provided temporary shelter to 225 people in the current year
