Suriname’s National Disaster Preparedness Baseline Assessment: Enhancing Resilience Through Strategic Recommendations

The Suriname National Disaster Preparedness Baseline Assessment evaluates the country’s unique risks and vulnerabilities in disaster management. The assessment, comprised of the Risk and Vulnerability Assessment and Disaster Management Analysis, provides key recommendations aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The report identifies significant hazards affecting Suriname and emphasizes the need for improved disaster management strategies and legal frameworks to enhance resilience against climate change.

The Suriname National Disaster Preparedness Baseline Assessment (NDPBA), conducted by the Pacific Disaster Center (PDC) in collaboration with the Nationaal Coördinatiecentrum voor Rampenbeheersing (NCCR) and local stakeholders, evaluates the nation’s hazard profile, cultural traits, geographical context, and historical events that influence disaster management. This assessment generates strategic recommendations in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

The NDPBA consists of two key components: the Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (RVA) and the Disaster Management Analysis (DMA). The RVA examines multi-hazard exposure alongside socio-economic vulnerabilities and the capacity to cope with disasters. In contrast, the DMA applies a qualitative approach, focusing on six subthemes: Enabling Environment, Institutional Arrangements, Disaster Governance Mechanisms, Capabilities and Resources, Capacity Development, and Communication and Information Management. The DMA results contextualize the RVA findings, thus offering a holistic view of the disaster management landscape.

The RVA indicated that Suriname faces significant risks from various hazards, including extreme heat, flooding, mosquito-borne diseases, and earthquakes, exposing populations and critical infrastructure. Identifying these vulnerabilities emphasizes the need for preparedness strategies and initiatives surrounding risk reduction and climate adaptation. The assessment also highlighted the potential to improve public health capacity and access to technology as means to enhance its resilience against disasters.

Noteworthy progress has been made in Suriname’s disaster management, focusing on reducing the impact of disasters through strategic international partnerships and aligning with global standards. The Multi-Annual Development Plan 2022-2026 aims to minimize disaster impacts on vulnerable groups, while the Environmental Framework Act 2020 further enhances climate adaptation and infrastructure resilience. Nonetheless, the absence of an approved Disaster Management Law impedes the effectiveness of NCCR by obscuring roles and resource allocation, which is essential for effective disaster preparedness.

Given the escalating risks of climate change, there is an urgent need for Suriname to establish a comprehensive national strategy for climate and disaster risk financing. The report’s recommendations are pivotal for advancing the country’s disaster management capabilities. The NDPBA project received funding from the United States Government via the US Southern Command and was coordinated with the U.S. Embassy in Suriname, leading to collaborations with various governmental and non-governmental organizations within the country.

For access to detailed findings, recommendations, and data from this analysis, visit PDC’s DisasterAWARE Pro® application, designed for disaster managers and humanitarian assistance practitioners at https://disasteraware.pdc.org/.

The Suriname National Disaster Preparedness Baseline Assessment underscores the necessity of aligning disaster management strategies with international standards while addressing local vulnerabilities. Significant progress has been achieved in reducing disaster risks; however, further initiatives are essential, particularly in the context of climate change. Enhancing disaster resilience will require a concerted effort to establish legal frameworks and implement strategic funding mechanisms, as set out in the recommendations of the assessment.

Original Source: reliefweb.int