Model for a national disaster management structure, preparedness plan, and supporting legislation

Much of this paper is based on a 1993 study of disaster management models from seven disaster
prone countries (Bangladesh, Colombia, Jamaica, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey and
Zimbabwe). That study distilled lessons learned and identified key issues to be considered when
establishing or revising a national disaster management system. The structure of this paper
follows the key issues identified in this study. The study is elaborated upon by the findings from
the IGAD-FAO project on disaster preparedness, concluded in 1998, as well as material from
other resources listed at the end of this paper. (IGAD countries are Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia,
Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda.)