Haiti Takes Step Towards Resilience with National Risk Management Plan
In a significant move towards building resilience in the face of disasters, Haiti’s government has approved the National Risk and Disaster Management Plan 2019-2030. This plan, developed through an inclusive and participatory process, aims to promote sustainable development while adopting a resilient perspective.
A Step Towards Achieving the Sendai Framework
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 targets significant increase in countries with national disaster risk reduction strategies by 2020. Haiti’s plan is a crucial step towards achieving this goal. As stated by Raul Salazar, Chief of UNDRR Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean:
- Implementing national plans for disaster risk reduction is essential for coherence, awareness, and integration of different priorities into countries’ investment decisions.
A Commitment to Resilience
Haiti joins other countries in the Americas and the Caribbean in developing a national disaster risk reduction strategy and/or plan. The country has been one of the most affected by natural disasters over the past 20 years, with economic losses amounting to 17.5% of GDP.
Key Objectives of the Plan
- Reduce vulnerability and improve preparedness for effective disaster response
- Strengthen resilience collectively and inclusively, with a focus on gender equity and accountability
- Promote sustainable development through a resilient perspective
Implementation and Partnerships
The implementation of the plan will be through a comprehensive program with strategies for both the private and public sectors. A monitoring and evaluation system will also be established at different stages.
This achievement has been made possible with the support of the United Nations, particularly UNDP and UN-Women, as well as technical support from UNDRR and financial support from USAID/OFDA and the World Bank.
Conclusion
Haiti’s National Risk and Disaster Management Plan 2019-2030 is a significant step towards building resilience in the face of disasters. The plan aims to reduce vulnerability and improve preparedness for effective disaster response, while promoting sustainable development through a resilient perspective. With the support of international partners, Haiti is committed to strengthening its resilience collectively and inclusively, with a focus on gender equity and accountability.