CIT 05209 DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Introduction to disasters
 Definition of terms related to disaster

 What is a disaster?
{WHO, 1990}- defines disaster as any occurrence, which causes a damage, ecological
disruption, loss of human lives, deterioration, of health and health services on a scale of
sufficient to warrant an extra ordinary response from the affected community.
{United Nations Disaster Relief Organization – UNDRO, 1991} -defines disaster as a
serious disruption of the functioning of a society, causing widespread human, materials or
environmental losses.
{PMO-DMP, 2004} – defines disaster as serious disruption of the functioning of a
society, causing wide spread human, materials and environmental losses, which exceed
the ability of the affected society to cope with using its resources.
Generally Disaster: “Is a natural or human-caused event which causes intensive
negative impacts on people, goods, Services and/or the environment, exceeding the
affected community’s capability to respond” OR is a situation in which the community is
incapable of coping. It is a natural or human-caused event which causes intense negative
impacts on people, goods, services or the environment, exceeding the affected
community’s capability to respond; therefore the community seeks external assistance.

Hazard: “Is the potential for a natural or human-caused event to occur with
negative consequences” A hazard can become an emergency; when the emergency moves
beyond the control of the population, it becomes a disaster.
Emergency: “Is a situation generated by the real or imminent occurrence of an
event that requires immediate attention” Paying immediate attention to an event or
situation
as described above is important as the event/situation can generate negative consequences
and escalate into an emergency. The purpose of planning is to minimize those
consequences.

1
 Risk: “Is the probability that loss will occur as the result of an adverse event,
given the hazard and the Vulnerability” Risk (R) can be determined as a product of
hazard (H) and vulnerability (V). I.e. R = H x V

Risk management: Consists of identifying threats (hazards likely to occur),

determining their probability of occurrence, estimating what the impact of the threat
might be to the communities at risk, determining measures that can reduce the risk, and
taking action to reduce the threat.

Vulnerability: “Is the extent to which a community’s structure, services or

environment is likely to be damaged or disrupted by the impact of a hazard”
Incident: Is an occurrence of event, either human caused or by natural
phenomena, that requires action by emergence response personnel to prevent or minimize
loss of life or damage to property and or natural recourses

 Characteristics of disaster
o It is unpredictable/surprise
o -Chaotic
o -Immediate life threatening situation
o -Insufficient information
o -Time compression
o -Conflicting information
o - Horrible and destructive
o -Escalation of events
o -It requires many resources

 Impacts/effects of disaster
Disaster as an event that occurs suddenly or slowly it brings some of the effects to the
society in which it strikes, these may include;
i. Deaths
ii. Casualties
iii. Economic stagnant
iv. Depopulation –loss of man power
v. Increase of internal displaced persons

2
 vi. Eruption of diseases
vii. Telecommunication loss
viii. Flooding
ix. Landslides
x. Power disruption
xi. Water problems
xii. Agricultural damage
xiii. Loss/damage to housing
xiv. Damage to inland and coastal environments
xv. Disruption of standard of living, lifestyle, etc.
xvi. Infrastructure damage e.g. Roads, railways, telecommunication system
xvii. Disturbing Ecosystem
xviii. Increased number of dependants (Orphans)
xix. Un employment opportunity

 Difference between an incident/emergency and a disaster situation

An incidence/emergency and a disaster are two different situations:
An Incident/emergency is a situation in which the community is capable of coping. It is
a situation generated by the real or imminent occurrence of an event that requires
immediate attention and of emergency resources.
Disaster is a situation in which the community is incapable of coping. It is a natural or
human-caused event which causes intense negative impacts on people, goods, services
and/or the environment,
Exceeding the affected community’s capability to respond; therefore the community
seeks the assistance of government and international agencies.

Types of disasters

Disasters are often classified according to their:

a. Causes – natural vs. human

b. Speed of onset – sudden vs. slow

3
 A. TYPES BASED ON CAUSES

1: Natural Disasters
These types of disaster naturally occur in proximity to, and pose a threat to, people, structures or
economic assets. They are caused by biological, geological, seismic, hydrologic, or
meteorological conditions or processes in the natural environment (e.g., cyclones, earthquakes,
tsunami, floods, landslides, and volcanic eruptions)

Cyclones, Hurricanes or Typhoons

Cyclones develop when a warm ocean gives rise to hot air, which in turn creates convectional air
currents. Cyclones occur when these conventional air currents are being displaced. The term
hurricane/typhoon
is a regionally specific name for a “tropical cyclone”. In Asia they are called ‘typhoons’; in the
Indian and Pacific Oceans they are called cyclones’; and over the North Atlantic and Caribbean
Basin, they are called ‘hurricanes’. Tropical warning procedures: Small crafts and fishing boats:
approx 25-35mph winds.

Tsunami
A tsunami is an ocean wave generated by a submarine earthquake, volcano or landslide. It is also
known as a seismic sea wave, and incorrectly as a tidal wave. Storm surges (or Galu Lolo) are
waves caused
by strong [Link] largest earthquake event recorded in Samoa was on 26 June
1917,measuring 8.3 on the Richter scale. The event originated in Tonga (approximately 200km
south of Apia) and it triggered a tsunami of four to eight (4-8) meter run-ups in Satupaitea,
Savaii. The tsunami arrived less than ten (10) minutes from its point of origin, meaning it
travelled at1 Tsunami was known in Samoa as a Galu Afi but the National Disaster Advisory
Committee (DAC) has now adopted SŪNAMI as its Samoan translation. a speed of more than
1,000km/hr. Hence, when an earthquake occurs, you must heed the tsunami warning, for
example, people living in low-lying coastal areas must relocate to higher and safer grounds
immediately.
Meaning of Tsunami

Tsunami is a series of oceanic waves which spreads quickly to mainland and which occurs due
to the abnormal force that exists. .

4
The word Tsunami originates fro Japan word,
o Tsu-Ocean
o Nami-Waves
Tsunami simply means a big and toll waves in the ocean.

Japanese have long history with reference to Tsunami; they experienced Tsunami difficulties
several times due to the nature of the area.

WHAT MAKES TSUNAMI HAPPENING?

There several factors that necessitate Tsunami to occur, some of these factors are;

 Ocean floor Earthquake that intercept the floor joints.

 Water pressure due to Volcanic eruption in the ocean floor
 Under floor land slides
 Plate tectonics
 Volcanic eruption
 Strong winds
 Huge nuclei explosion within the ocean floor
 Big and heavy stones from above falling into the ocean (Steroids)

CHARACTERISTICS OF TSUNAMI

 The Earthquake that causes tsunami normally is accompanied /followed by other small
Earthquakes.
 Time and wideness of tsunami depends on the force and nature of the source
 .The height of tsunami may vary from 1m to 15m above
 Tsunami travel faster within the rivers which pour water into the ocean than in mainland
 .The speed of tsunami can reach 1000km/hr
 Tsunami causes quick water tides
 It may happen any time
 It is powerful thus can carry anything away
 It causes floods
 The sound of tsunami is like that of train or plane
 Power and stronger of tsunami is easily noted when it reaches to shallow depth
.

THE EFFECTS OF TSUNAMI.

 Destruction caused by huge floods particularly at coastal and river surroundings.

 Death, loss of properties,

5
  Damage of infrastructures and environments
 Air and land pollutions
 Increased Poverty
 Increased number of dependants (Orphans)
 Disturbing Ecosystem
 It causes refugees/migration
 Economic Stagnant
 Spread of diseases e.g. cholera, typhoid,
 Underdevelopment

TSUNAMI IN TANZANIA

Tanzania like other countries in the world has historical background of tsunami. Because the
nature of our country the eastern part is bordered by Indian Ocean, its likely today or another day
later tsunami will come again.

 Tanzania is among 12 nations which were affected by tsunami of 2004

 Tanzania is about 5000 km away from Sumatra island from which tsunami were
Originated in 2004
 About 10 people dead in DSM coast while swimming and others at coast region
 The great damage was that of TAZAMA pipe line having a diameter of 19 inches
 Also 8 TIPER pipe line were affected
 A Marine vessel carrying petrol were affected and caused petrol linkage in the sea
and caused water pollution
 Fishing nets and vessels were taken to deep water.

WAYS TO PROTECT FROM TSUNAMI

 When you are along the coast when you hear the Earthquakes sleep down find
Something and hold strongly, when it is calm then you may move to upland
 If there no upland/mountain nearby, climb up tree or run to high building found around
 Do not use car to rescue/ to escape you will go no where
 If you are in water please do not come to the coast move towards depth and find
anything floating to hold
 Do not stay in car nearby coast, your car can be taken away
 If you hear warning get out of house built along the coast and low land area
 If you are in up stair go to the highest rooms do not stay lower rooms

Floods

6
This phenomenon occurs when water covers previously dry areas, i.e., when large amounts of
water flow from a source such as a river or a broken pipe onto a previously dry area, or when
water overflows banks or barriers. Floods can be environmentally important to local ecosystems.
For example, some river floods bring nutrients to soil such as in Egypt where the annual flooding
of the Nile River carries nutrients to otherwise dry land. Floods can also have an economic and
emotional impact on people, particularly if their property is directly affected. Having a better
understanding of what causes flooding can help people to be better prepared and to perhaps
minimize or prevent flood damage.

Landslides
The term landslide refers to the downward movement of masses of rock and soil. Landslides are
caused by one or a combination of the following factors: change in slope gradient, increasing the
load the land must bear, shocks and vibrations, change in water content, ground water
movement, frost action, weathering of shocks, removal or, or changing the type of vegetation
covering slopes. Landslide hazard areas occur where the land has certain characteristics which
contribute to the risk of the downhill movement of material. These characteristics include:

2: Human-Made Disasters
These are disasters or emergency situations of which the principal, direct causes are identifiable
human actions, deliberate or otherwise. Apart from “technological disasters” this mainly
involves situations in which civilian populations suffer casualties, losses of property, basic
services and means of livelihood as a result of war, civil strife or other conflicts, or policy
implementation. In many cases, people are forced to leave their homes, giving rise to
congregations of refugees or externally and/or internally displaced persons as a result of civil
strife, an airplane crash, a major fire, oil spill, epidemic, terrorism, bomb explosion,
road/railway accidents, mine trappings etc.

B. TYPES BASED ON SPEED OF ONSET

1: Sudden onset: little or no warning, minimal time to prepare. For example, an earthquake,
tsunami, cyclones, volcanic, floods, etc.

7
2: Slow onsets: adverse event slow to develop; first the situation develops; the second level is an
emergency; the third level is a disaster. For example, drought, civil strife, epidemic, famine,
deforestation.
The main hazards a region is, or may be vulnerable to, will depend on the geographic location of
the country.

Levels of disaster
Disaster can be categorized according to the area be affected, thus the levels can be;
a) Village level
b) Ward level
c) District level
d) Regional level
e) National level

Declaration of disaster
 At National level
The disaster relief co-ordination Act Cap 242 Sec. 14 & 15 requires President up on receiving
information from minister may declare the area affected to be disaster area. This will apply for
the National level.
 At regional level
Regional Commissioner will be held responsible to declare such area as being disaster area
 At district level
The district Commissioner is responsible to declare the disaster situation
 At Ward level
The Ward Executive Officer will take charge to declare the disaster within his/her ward
 At village level
The village Executive Officer will declare the disaster situation at village level

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Are the strategies or planning of sharing responsibilities in order to combat any event/incidence
whenever happened. These strategies can be well organized
 Before an incident take place
 During an incidence

8
  After an incidence
Disaster management is a cyclical process; the end of one phase is the beginning of another,
although one phase of the cycle does not necessarily have to be completed in order for the next to
take place. Often several phases are taking place concurrently. Timely decision making during
each phase results in greater preparedness, better warnings, reduced vulnerability and/or the
prevention of future disasters.
The complete disaster management cycle includes the shaping of public policies and plans that
either addresses the causes of disasters or mitigates their effects on people, property, and
infrastructure. The mitigation and preparedness phases occur as improvements are made in
anticipation of an event

Disaster Management Cycle

A cycle with phases that reduce or prevent disasters, these phases are;
1. Mitigation: Measures put in place to minimize the results from a disaster.
It involves Hazard identification and vulnerability analysis and other mitigation strategies or
measures.
Activities include;
 Building code and zoning;
 Vulnerability analyses;
 Warning systems,
 Emergency communications systems
 Evacuations plans and training resource inventories,
 Public information/education

9
 2. Preparedness: Planning how to respond the particular event/situation.
Activities are;
 Preparedness plans
 Emergency exercises/training;
 Warning systems.
 Public awareness

3. Response: Initial actions taken as the event takes place. It involves efforts to minimize
the Hazards created by a disaster. Examples: evacuation; search and rescue; emergency
relief
Activities involved are;
 Warning
 Evacuation and migration.
 Search and rescue (SAR)
 Response and relief
 Post-disaster assessment
 Logistics and supply
 Survivor response and coping
 Security
.

4. Recovery: Returning the community to normal. Ideally, the affected area should be put
in a condition equal to or better than it was before. There should be plans both Short-
term recovery and long-term recovery.
Activities are;
 Reconstruction
 Rehabilitation

10
DISASTER MANAGEMENT CYCLE

DISASTER
MANAGEMENT
CYCLE

FUNDRAISING

Fundraising or fund raising (also development) is the process of soliciting and gathering
voluntary contributions as money or other resources, by requesting donations from individuals,
businesses, charitable foundations, or governmental agencies. Although fundraising typically
refers to efforts to gather money for non-profit organizations, it is sometimes used to refer to the
identification and solicitation of investors or other sources of capital for for-profit enterprises.
Traditionally, fundraising consisted mostly of asking for donations on the street or at people's
doors, and this is experiencing very strong growth in the form of face-to-face fundraising, but

11
new forms of fundraising such as online fundraising have emerged in recent years, though these
are often based on older methods such as grassroots fundraising.

Professional fundraisers

Many non-profit organizations take advantage of the services of professional fundraisers. These
fundraisers may be paid for their services either through fees unrelated to the amounts of money
to be raised, or by retaining a percentage of raised funds (percentage-based compensation).

FUNDRAISER EVENTS

A fundraiser is an event or campaign whose primary purpose is to raise money for a cause,
charity or non-profit organization. Fundraisers often benefit charitable, non-profit, religious, or
non-governmental organizations, though there are also fundraisers that benefit for-profit
companies and individuals. Some fundraising event includes Music show, Bonanza, Football
Match, Tennis, Volleyball, Netball, Cricket, and Hen chasing competitions, Charity walk,
Special days, Dinner time, Miss Competition eg. Vodacom miss TZ, Political rallies, Auction
mart, Religious assemblies, Public broadcasting, etc

Religious organizations

Equally important are fundraising efforts by virtually every recognized religious group
throughout the world. These efforts are organized on a local, national, and global level.
Sometimes, such funds will go exclusively toward assisting the basic needs of others, while
money may at other times be used only for evangelism or proselytism. Usually, religious
organizations mix the two, which can sometimes cause tension.

Political campaigns/rally

12
US President Barack Obama's campaign team organised a record-breaking fundraising effort in
2008 based on grassroots fundraising

Public broadcasting

While public broadcasters are completely government-funded in much of the world, there are
many countries where some funds must come from donations from the public. In the United
States less than 15% of local public broadcasting stations' funding comes from the federal
government. Viewership and listenership often declines significantly during funding periods, so
special programming may be aired in order to keep regular viewers and listeners interested.

Different Money Transfer Methods

Wherever the occasion may be held for the purpose of fund raising especially for disaster relief,
different methods can be employed to send and collect the money. With this growing world of
science and technology many methods has been created to save the purpose, some of them are;

Cash

The old school, traditional method is to use cash. You can simply receive cash from someone, or
pay someone in cash. This is a money transfer. There are many problems with this method of
payment, including the most common one, which is the lack of cash in your wallet. Another

13
problem arising is security and misbehaving..

Check

Another way to send or receive money is by using a check. Most of the time, writing a check is a
way to give payment to other people or institutions. Using checks as a payment method is pretty
convenient because you can specify the exact amount you want to pay. However, most people
find receiving a check as a hassle as you have to go to the bank to deposit it. Often, when
someone gives you a check for $5, you might not even deposit it because it may not be worth a
trip to the bank. That is $5 lost.

14
Direct Deposit

Direct deposit is a great, convenient method to send and receive your money from contributors.
With direct deposit, funds are directly deposited into account, so there is no hassle with running
to the bank to deposit a paper check.

Card Payment

Electronic money transfers are the future. Credit and debit card payments are the most
convenient methods of payments between customers and merchants

PayPal

PayPal is a great way to send and receive money. I find it is really convenient for transferring
money to other people, plus I can electronically transfer balances to and from my bank account
or credit card. You specify the exact amounts of cash you want to transfer by simply sending an
email. This is also a convenient method of transferring money internationally. The only
disadvantage to PayPal is that you might not always have access to the internet, but how often
does that really happen anymore? You can access PayPal by using visiting their website with

15
your computer or with your cell phone, but remember that some older phones might not support
the website feature.

Text Pay Me

Not a lot of people know about this method of sending money. This service is offered by
[Link], and it allows you to send money to people by sending a text message. Almost all
cell phones support text messaging so there isn’t the same web browser support problem like
there is with the PayPal method. Text Pay Me can be the best way to pay your friend for dinner.
You simply send a text message to Text Pay Me with the amount you need to transfer to your
friend ($17.48 instead of $20).

Other methods are Bank Mobile, Airtel money, Mpesa, Tigo pesa E-mail, Twitter, etc.

KEY PLAYERS IN DISASTER RESPONSE AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES

INTRODUCTION:

Creating an integrated and multi-sectoral systems approach to Planning

Prevention/Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery to disasters is fundamental
to the achievement of the goals. Consequently the Police Emergency Operating
Procedures are built to carter for partnership of National, District, Local communities,
Individual and Voluntary agencies. The underlying theme being “Partnership for a safer
Tanzania”

Lead Agencies

These are agencies that already have a clear mandate to render disaster related services.
Such agencies include:

 The Tanzania People Defense Force (TPDF),

 The Tanzania Police Force (TPF),
 The Fire and Rescue Services (FRS),
 The Marines,
 The Ministry of Health (MH),

16
  The Ministry of Defense (MD),
 The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), etc
 The utilities (Electricity, Water),
 Voluntary Organizations
 Faith Communities (churches, mosques).

These Agencies are vital and are required to maintain a state of readiness so that they can
provide a rapid initial response and alert local authorities and other services as soon as
possible. All organizations, which need to respond quickly to a disaster, are required to
have internal Operational Plans and Arrangements, which can be activated at short
notice.

These arrangements should be clearly established and promulgated to all who may be
involved with response.

At the national level, the lead agency are responsible for planning and coordinating with
their support agencies for the delivery of assistance covering prevention, preparedness,
response and recovery. Lead agencies are responsible for preparing and maintaining
detailed sectoral or agency plans to reflect the policies, procedures regarding assistance to
be provided and associated responsibilities of the designated lead agencies.

Support Agencies

These are agencies that may be identified to support and assist the primary agencies in
preparing and executing their function.

Each support agency will:

 Designate the headquarters-level office which will serve as the primary point of
contact for all actions relating to the plan;
 Participate in the process of exercising, reviewing, maintaining and
implementing the Plan; and
 Designate representative to serve on the national disaster response group and
staff to the primary agency team’s field operation at the disaster field office and
at other operational locations.

17
THE ROLE OF KEY PLAYERS

Each service or agency working at the scene of a disaster has its own role and functions,
as mentioned below:

1. MINISTRY RESPONSIBLE FOR HOME AFFAIRS

The Ministry of Home Affairs comprises of several key players for disaster management
namely.

 Fire and Rescue Services

During emergency situations, the Fire and Rescue Services is responsible for the
following activities:

 To rescue people trapped in a fire wreckage or debris.

 To prevent further escalation of the disaster by extinguishing or undertaking
protective measures to prevent fires.
 To control the release of chemicals or other contaminants in order to render the
incident site safe.
 To assist the ambulance service with casualty handling and the police with
recovery of bodies.
 Is responsible for the health and safety of personnel of all agencies working
within the inner cordon, and will liaise with the police about who should be
allowed access to ensure that they are properly equipped, adequately trained and
briefed.

Providing additional training and fire-fighting and rescue equipment would render the
Fire and Rescue Services more effective in disaster management.

N.B However, in the event of any situation which is, or which is suspected to be, the
result of a terrorist incident, all activities within cordons are under the direct control of
the Police

18
Fire unit preparing for rescue

 Tanzania Police Force

The Police are responsible for maintaining law and order during emergency and non-
emergency situations. They have trained personnel in all administrative areas. Police co-
ordinate all the activities of those responding at and around the scene, which must be
preserved to provide evidence for subsequent enquires and possibly criminal proceeding,
unless a disaster has been caused by severe weather or other natural phenomena. Its
functions include:

 Quick attending at the disaster scene

19
  To establish Cordons to facilitate the work of the other emergency services in
the saving of life, the protection of the public and the care of survivors.

 To establish In and Exist at the disaster scenes

 To oversee any criminal investigation.
 The road Traffic Act No.30 of 1973 allows Traffic Police to perform their
duties. They facilitate inquires carried out by the responsible accident
investigation bodies.
 To process casualty information and have responsibility for identifying and
arranging for the removal of the dead and to liaise with institutions that has
legal responsibility for investigating the cause and circumstances of deaths
arising from a disaster.
 Crowd control
 Interviewing
 Keeping all records related to the disaster
 To protect victims and their properties at the scene
 To conduct evaluation to know the number of casualties, dead and area
affected
 To investigate the nature of the disaster

Police crowd control provides security

20
2. MINISTRY RESPONSIBLE FOR DEFENSE AND NATIONAL SERVICE

The Ministry of Defense and National Service is construed as relating to the Civilian
element at the Ministry’s headquarter and Military formation, unit, detachment or other
elements of Defense Forces and National Services.

The call to deal with disaster would involve the entire Tanzania Peoples Defense Forces
and the National Services establishments in collaboration with the National Disaster
Management committee, so established to organize Government and Non government
Organization, Instruments of power and the Public in all formations and unit areas of
responsibilities.

When any party of the Defense forces or the National Services is involved in disaster
management activities or services in support to civil power, they do not replace the civil
power, but:

21
  Assist in the maintenance of law and order,
 Participate in technical committees and
 TPDF would assist in the organization of reserve forces, equipment,
 Coordinate the supply of in puts and resources as would be provided.
 Assist civil power and authorities in the area they are designated,
 Organize and control the mobilized regular and volunteer reserves to deal with a
disaster situation
 Assist in the establishment of field emergency centers including:

Search and Rescue Operations

o The evacuation of people and their properties to safety

o Delivery of relief materials
o Establishment of communication both mobile and fixed
o Assist in delivery of first aid to the injured
o Cooperate with the national and international groups in the distribution of
humanitarian assistance to the needy and disaster victims.

TPDF saving the victims

22
 3. MINISTRY RESPONSIBLE FOR HEALTH

The responsibility of this ministry is to provide preparedness and response to health needs related
to emergencies and disasters. This involves identifying; and meeting the health and medical
needs of victims.

The following tasks will be undertaken:

 Assessment of health/medical needs:

 Conduct health surveillance;
 Provision of medical care and relevant personnel
 Provision of health/medical equipment and supplies;
 Carrying outpatient evacuation;
 Provision of in-hospital care;
 Provision of drugs, and patient safety;
23
  Ensuring of health worker safety;
 Identification of biological hazards;
 Provision of mental health care
 Carry out safe blood transfusion for like-saving purposes;
 Provision of public health information;
 Supervise vector control activities;
 Monitor supply of potable water and disposal of waste water and solid waste;
 Victim identification and mortuary services.

Emergency Preparedness and Response Unit (EPRU)

In recognition of the public health importance and the implications of emergencies and
disaster to the well being of the society, the Government of Tanzania, through the MOH,
established a functional unit of emergency preparedness and response to address all
health aspects of emergencies and disaster in the country.

The Emergency Preparedness and Response Unit (EPRU) is directly under the Chief
Medical Officer’s office and is headed by the Principle Medical Officer.

Functions of Health Facilities (Hospital, Health

Centre, Dispensary)

Upon the direction of the EPRU at the Ministry of Health, health facilities with
potential for receiving casualties of emergencies and disasters will respond to
requests from the Incident Commander to accept casualties for medical treatment
and to provide appropriately trained staff to act as Medical Incident Officers and
Mobile Medical Teams.

Specific tasks

 Develop facility’s contingency plan, based on available resources and capabilities;

 facilitate on-site sorting and care of victims of emergency and disaster (triage);
 provide basic health care to evacuees in temporary shelters;
 referral and transportation of victims needing higher level care;
 identify and provide mortuary services for the dead victims of an emergency or disaster,
in collaboration with the police;

24
  maintain up to date records of emergencies and disasters;
 Provide medical care and psychological services.
 ensure availability and proper use of protective materials for health personnel and other
volunteers;
 Conduct outgoing public awareness and education programs on emergency and disaster
management.

Medical practitioners $ Red Cross attending victims

25
 4. TANZANIA RED CROSS SOCIETY

The Tanzania Red Cress Society was established in

1962 and accorded the following mandate:

 In time of war, to furnish aid to the sick and wounded both of the armies and
among non-belligerents, and to prisoners of war and civilian sufferers from the
effects of war;
 In time of peace , to carry on and assist in work for the improvement of health,
the prevention of disease and the mitigation of differing throughout the world;

 To do all things necessary, advantageous or convenient to or in connection with

the better carrying out of the above

TRCS is part of the huge network of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies. Central to the work of this network is reducing the vulnerability of
households and communities in disaster prone area and improving their ability to cope
and international levels. Traditionally it had been assuming the lead role of coordinating
the national response assistance to the mass care response of the central and local
governments

TRCS, like other National Societies, has to ensure that all its disaster preparedness
activities and programs are carried out according to the Disaster Preparedness Policy
adopted at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red crescent General Assembly
in October 1999. The following are stated in the policy;

 Recognize the role pf Red Cross/Red Crescent in disaster preparedness as

complementary to government and thus will not replace state responsibilities
 advocate where necessary with government, donors, NGOs and the public
 the needs for and effectiveness in disaster preparedness;

26
  strengthen the organizational structures at international, national and local
levels required for effective disaster preparedness;
 improve coordination by promoting better cooperation and partnerships
between all concerned;
 identify those persons, communities and households most at risk to disaster
 Raise public awareness of disaster hazards;
 Improve the ability of vulnerable communities to cope with disaster through
community-based disaster preparedness strategies;
 Strive to provide the resources required to carry out appropriate and
sustainable disaster preparedness activities.

Red crosses Society attending casualty

27
 5. THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT
MANAGEMENT COUNCIL (NEMC)

NEMC has primary responsibilities for the environmental protection and has the scope
including water, land and air in the country. NEMC has key responsibilities for
environmental impact assessment for operations that have harmful effects. These
responsibilities cover:

 direct, remedial action to prevent and mitigate the effects of the incident,
 to provide specialist advice,
 to give warnings to those likely to be affected,
 to monitor the effects of incident and
 to investigate its cause.
 Also collects evidence for future enforcement or cost recovery.

6. LOCAL AUTHORITIES

In the immediate aftermath of a disaster the principal concerns of local authorities are to:

 To provide security at the scene {community involvement}

 Provide support for the emergency services,
 Continue normal support and care for the local and wider community;
 Use resources to mitigate the effects of the emergency; an
 Co-ordinate the response by organizations other than the emergency services.
 As time goes on, and the emphasis switches to recovery, the local authority will take
a leading role to facilitate the rehabilitation of the community and restoration of the
environment.

7. COMMUNITY BASED ORGANISATION, PRIVATE SECTORS,

RELIGIOUS

Organization and Volunteers

28
 The voluntary sector in Tanzania situation can be large and diverse considering, that by
cultural expectation, all the public are expected to and usually will want to be part of the
action to save life. It is therefore necessary to plan this participation in advance to the
extent that it does not interfere with the skills desired in the event. Setting up a voluntary
forum, which is normally chaired by the local authority Officer, can help co-operation, it
is necessary to take into account four kinds of voluntary effort:

 Established organization such as the Tanzania Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the
scouts and girl guide, the church, groups;
 Specialist skills offered by, for example, search and rescue organizations including
the Tanzania Mountaineering Guides;
 Individuals, not necessarily in recognized voluntary organizations but who have
special status particular skills, such as interpreters or indigenous influential
leader/elder within community.
 Organizations which specialize in providing emotional support and counseling such
as Daughters of Charity and Babies Homes.
Bona fide volunteer can contribute to a wide range of activities; whether as members of a
voluntary organization or as individuals. However the following aspects should be noted:

 Record of skills
 Consistent Reliability
 Understanding of roles
 Chain of command
 Responsibility and Professional standards
 Regular and reliable contact
 Individual offer of help
 Demonstration of competence

29
Prepared by:

A/INSP HALFANI, H ([Link] Arts, HONS)

INSTRUCTOR-TPSC-KIDATU

30