His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, in a sabda, has expressed high hope on the strategic policy framework which is currently being implemented comprehensively by the National Disaster Council, that can manage in guiding the disaster management in the country effectively.

His Royal Highness, stressed that the framework, should also view the latest developments at the ASEAN region and international levels, particularly in learning the best practices and lessons learnt from countries that already have similar frameworks  and proven to be effective in tackling all types of disasters. His Royal Highness who is also Chairman of the National Disaster Council made the sabda while Chairing the First Meeting of the National Disaster Council 2018, this morning.

Upon arrival at the Prime Minister's Office Building, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was greeted by Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Doctor Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, Minister of Home Affairs, as the Standing Co-Deputy Chairman of the National Disaster Council and Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohammad Yusof, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs as the secretary of the National Disaster Council.

The meeting began with the reading of Surah Al-Fatihah and doa selamat led by Awang Haji Serudin bin Haji Timbang, Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

The Minister of Home Affairs in his welcoming address among other matters touched on the several natural disaster occurrences in the country in 2017, including the country's commitment and involvement in disaster management regionally and internationally. Yang Berhormat Pehin said at the end of 2017, Brunei Darussalam experienced pro-longed inclement weather and has affected several areas due to Kai-Tak Tropical Storm and Tembin Typhoon from the 19th to 26th December. The condition had caused flash floods, floods, landslides, and falling trees at several places in the country. However, with the concerted coordination efforts from various agencies, all occurrences were tackled and given assistance promptly. 

In the sabda, His Royal Highness, also emphasised on the importance of continuous and precise data collection as a realistic foundation in finding out whether the National Disaster Council is still on the correct platform towards achieving the target set and can also measure the efficacy of related action plans implementation aside from its impact as hoped.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, in his sabda also said, it is while we are enjoying such peace and prosperity, that we should be prepared in facing any unexpected large scale disaster. His Royal Highness is of the opinion that the council's role is timely with the context of preparing and ensuring intervention actions before, during and after the occurrence of disasters, guided by planning and action plans which are organised and directed.

The meeting heard a briefing on the latest development for the Multi-agency Implementation Actions in the Strategic National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction 2012-2025, SNAP; a briefing on the laws related to disaster management as well as a briefing on gaps in the National Standing Operating Procedures, NaSOP and the report on findings on public awareness and preparedness level in facing disasters and a briefing on the link between the National Security Coordination Centre, NSCC and the National Disaster Council. The National Disaster Council Meeting convened to discuss efforts towards upholding the disaster risk reduction strategic framework and increasing national capacity as well as sustainability in facing disasters.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

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