Disaster Risk Management Policy

Foreword
The primary responsibility for disaster risk management in Namibia rests with the
government. The first Principle of State Policy, Article 95 of the Constitution of the
Republic of Namibia, requires the state to actively promote the welfare of its people.
In terms of sub-article 1 of Article 26 of Chapter 4 of the constitution; “At a time of
national disaster or during a state of national defence or public emergency
threatening the life of the nation or the constitutional order, the President may by
Proclamation in the Gazette declare that a state of emergency exists in Namibia or
part thereof.”

Sub article 5 (a) states that “ During a state of emergency in terms of this Article or
when a state of national defence prevails, the President shall have the power by
Proclamation to make such regulations as in his or her opinion are necessary for the
protection of national security, public safety and the maintenance of law and order.”

The National Disaster Risk Management Policy pursues the above-mentioned
constitutional obligations. The policy seeks to outline a coherent, transparent and
inclusive policy on disaster risk management appropriate for the Government of the
Republic of Namibia as a whole with a proportionate emphasis on disasters of
different kinds, severity and magnitude that occur or may occur in Namibia. The
policy gives effect to various rights contained in the International Fundamental
Human Rights and Freedoms. These include the right to life, equality, human dignity,
a safe environment, the protection of property, health care, food, water, social
security and safety nets.

The goal of the National Disaster Risk Management Policy is to contribute to the
attainment of sustainable development in line with Namibia‟s Vision 2030 through
strengthening of national capacities to reduce risk and build community resilience to
disasters.

The National Disaster Risk Management Policy aims to:

         minimise the loss of human life, property and damage to the environment
          from hazards of natural, technological and ecological origin;
         advocate an approach to disaster risk management that focuses on
          reducing risks especially to those sections of the population who are most
          vulnerable due to poverty and a general lack of resources;
         advocate for a shared awareness and responsibility to reduce disaster risk
          in homes, communities, places of work and in society generally;
         give effect to the application of co-operative governance on issues
          concerning disasters and disaster risk management among the levels of
          government and allocate responsibilities in this regard to the relevant
          stakeholders.
         facilitate the involvement of the private sector, non-governmental
          organisations, communities and volunteers in disaster risk management;
          and to
         facilitate partnerships in this regard between organs of state and the
          private sector, non-governmental organisations and communities;