Opposition calls for review of Disaster Risk Management Act

 

Opposition Leader Mark Golding is calling for a review of the Disaster Risk Management Act, 2015 following the impact of Hurricane Beryl.

 

He says aspects of the legislation must be revised to ensure effective management during disasters and that those most in need of assistance are able to benefit from the government support being provided.

 

The opposition leader says a broad-based programme of assistance must also be urgently initiated.

 

Mr. Golding, while lamenting the living conditions of those severely impacted by Beryl, emphasised that a revision of the legislation is needed as the likelihood of more frequent and intense weather events may occur.

 

He contends that concerns have also been raised about how the DRMA is being implemented during periods of disasters. 

 

"That law has a revision provision in it and it has not been ever reviewed. I think having gone through both the COVID pandemic where that legislation was a mechanism that was used for responding then, and now the Beryl experience, we ought to see that review initiated. I am told by disaster risk management experts and people who have experience in this field that there are concerns about the way the framework is being operated and we need to have that review done through a proper procedure in Parliament, a joint select committee reviewing the Act, as the Act itself has called for but has not been done," he urged. 

 

The Opposition Leader also called for a reconvening of the National Disaster Risk Management Council, which is chaired by Prime Minister Andrew Holness. 

 

"The Leader of the Opposition is on it and virtually every agency, NGOs, etc. on it. It met before the hurricane came, before the hurricane season started, but now that we have gone through Beryl, I think another meeting of it should be convened so that the experiences from Beryl can be discussed in that forum," Mr. Golding suggested.

 

He was speaking at a ceremony at the Cedar Grove High School in St. Catherine.

 

He believes there is a need for greater discussions and debate within the Disaster Risk Management Council for a more enriched and effective process.

 

The government has also acknowledged the need for a review of its disaster response post Beryl.