The Enhancement of Emergency Response (PEER), is a regional programme that has been supported by the United States Agency for International Development’s Bureau of Humanitarian Affairs (USAID/BHA). The programme aims to enhance local and regional disaster preparedness and response capacities of vulnerable countries throughout Asia, through training which ranges from community first responder, to search and rescue and hospital preparedness. Sri Lanka has been included into the 5^th stage of PEER, which focuses on adaptation and institutionalization of sustainable disaster preparedness training programms. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) engages as the country focal point and responsible for implementation of PEER in Sri Lanka.

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In line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) 2015 - 2030 and also pursuing the government policies, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) under the guidance of Major General (Retd.) Sudantha Ranasinghe, Director General of the Disaster Management Centre, had commenced work related to drafting the country’s National Disaster Management (NDMP), for the period of 2023-2030.

Accordingly, DMC organised a workshop to review the final draft of the already prepared National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) 2023 – 2030. This was initiated with a view of instilling a cohesive and aligned approach in developing the country’s NDMP and stakeholders representing key government institutions, international non-governmental organisations (INGOs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), humanitarian agencies etc. were invited to be a part of the review discussions held on 4th November 2022, at the Mihilaka Medura, Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH).

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In adhering to early monsoon pre-emptive planning, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has already commenced initial preparedness activities with regard to the North East monsoon season, expected in the last quarter of the year. Considering the current challenging times, identifying appropriate preparedness and planning activities, programmes and meeting the need of emergency response requirements, is a challenging task.

With a view of briefing all relevant key stakeholders about the preparatory measures already planned and implemented by DMC, as well as to gain an understanding of the expert views and findings of the technical agencies, a hybrid meeting was organised and held on10th November 2022 at the DMC- conference hall.

This meeting chaired by Major General (Retd.) Sudantha Ranasinghe, Director General of the Disaster Management Centre, was well attended by representatives of the main technical agencies, government officials of relevant institutions, UN humanitarian agencies, international non-governmental organisations, non-governmental organisations etc. while the Assistant Directors of all twenty five District Disaster Management Coordinating Units (DDMCUs) and key government officials at local authority level joined the meeting online via Zoom.

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Considering the nature and extent of incidents of sexual and gender based violence being reported frequently in Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs formulated the Policy Framework and National Plan of Action 2016-2020 to address Sexual and Gender based Violence (SGBV) in Sri Lanka, which incorporated nine different sectors representing key government entities.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) played a pivotal role in contributing to the development of this Policy Framework and National plan, considering the fact that gender perspective needs to be integrated into all aspects of disaster management.

With the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of the Australian government, DMC was able to successfully complete the relevant consultative sessions and the launch of the publication “Handbook on Gender, Sexual Gender Based Violence in Disasters” took place on 19th August 2022.

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