THE Civil Defence Commission (CDC), in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), is inviting members of the public to a two-day national workshop to examine the draft Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Bill.

The two-day event commences today at the CDC Conference Room in Georgetown.
According to a press release, the draft DRM Bill and its Explanatory Memorandum will be unveiled at the workshop. Additionally, technical feedback will be sought from stakeholders in order to prepare a final draft of the Bill.
According to a copy of the Explanatory Memorandum seen by the Guyana Chronicle, the Bill provides a comprehensive and coordinated approach to address the impacts and consequences of natural disasters through risk reduction and early warning and real-time action plans.
The institutional mechanisms that support this approach include a multi-sectoral Civil Defence Commission chaired by the President with a network of institutions across the country, the memo reads. In addition, the Bill promotes the involvement and participation of all sectors and all stakeholders, especially the local community and volunteers.

Disaster Risk Management Fund
The memo notes, too, that the Bill seeks to establish a Disaster Risk Management Fund and to define the powers and functions of the said Fund. This is in keeping with the fulfilment of the government’s commitment to reduce the risks of disasters, which include climate change impacts and to enhance the welfare of present and future generations
The workshop will see presentations being made and interactive discussions held on provisions of the Bill. The release explains that for the interactive sessions, participants will be formed into groups to examine and discuss the draft DRM Bill in parts.
Among the expected participants are members of the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Coordination Platform, members of the CDC, Attorney General, Mr. Anil Nandlall, legal professionals with knowledge of the development of DRM Bills, officials attached to Emergency Response Institutions, as well as representatives of the Disability Commissions and Emergency Response Committees.
Feature addresses are scheduled to be delivered by Dr. Cassandra Rogers, a disaster risk management expert attached to the IDB and Dr. Roger Luncheon, the National Disaster Coordinator and Head of the Presidential Secretariat.
The workshop ends tomorrow.