It’s befitting that the issue of disaster management was highlighted at the recent 35th UNESCO

general conference in Paris since it served as one ideal platform to remind the world community
of the challenges which natural disasters posed and the consequences of inaction. It’s noteworthy
that the Malaysian Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak took the mantle to sound the
clarion for collective action on managing natural disasters. There has been numerous wake-up
calls given by various quarters notably international aid agencies, disaster management
institutions and practitioners, yet it somehow got lost in the milieu of challenges and issues at
hand. Inclusion of climate change and disaster management in his keynote address at the
conference was timely and opportune coming in the wake of the string of natural disasters which
affected some Asian countries.
The call to action was clearly intimated when he stated that “We have to

A survivor in her home, which was razed to the ground by the recent earthquake in western
Sumatra, Indonesia. Photo. Jefri Aries. IRIN
manage some of the natural disasters that occur in our regions” prior to the conference. (i) His
thrust on climate change and in the same spirit, disaster management, resonates well with those
international agencies and institutions already deeply involved in providing humanitarian
assistance to recent disasters in the region. At the conference , the Malaysian Prime Minister
aptly drove home the point that climate change posed a major challenge to the present generation
and not just those in the distant future. Its impact was clearly illustrated through the recent
experience with major natural disasters and catastrophes, including the earthquake in Padang,
Indonesia, tsunami in Western Samoa, hurricanes in the Philippines and the major floods in
Southern India. These calamities remind us on how fragile the world is, and how interdependent
our world has become. (ii)
The emphasis is on sustaining the quality of life for mankind for future generations, and
focussing on need for a strong global commitment and action to address the adverse effects of
climate change. In essence, our survival rests on the world community’s willingness to address
disaster management challenges and related issues collectively and with concerted will. He has
long recognized that countries beset with natural disasters should expedite steps to mitigate the
impact of disasters and with the increasing magnitude of calamities faced, it behooves
comprehensive collective action. It’s rare indeed to see a leader showing a sustained and avid
interest in disaster management and this is clearly reflected in Datuk Seri Najib’s purposeful
tabling of the issue at such forum. Throughout his tenure as a Minister of Defence and Deputy
Prime Minister, he has on several occasions been on the forefront of promoting initiatives in that
direction. In June 2006, during a high-level security forum in Singapore, Datuk Seri Najib Tun
Razak called for the setting up of a regional based humanitarian relief centre to be mobilized in
the event of disaster.
Rescuers try to remove quake victims at Prayoga College, West Sumatra. Photo. Jefri Aries.
IRIN
The call for collective action on disaster management is not new. Yet, inititiatives in this area is
seldom seen vested in the leadership nor governments. At the 7th Asian Security Summit , held
in June 2007, at the heels of natural disasters which befall Myanmar and the People’s Republic
of China, he called for collective action, with initiatives for the former spear-headed by ASEAN
( Association of South-East Asian Nations). Datuk Najib subscribed to the idea that disaster risk
should be taken seriously and the severity of natural disasters impact on lives and livelihoods as
well as the development of nations could no longer be ignored and. Grounded as an economist,
he recognized that marginal investment in incorporating hazard resistance could have protected
property and assets. Without appropriate mitigating measures, development achieved over years
of investment could be completely wiped out in a natural disaster. Acknowledging that
vulnerability rest with the communities at the ground level, building effectiveness of disaster
management at the community level was of utmost importance since local needs and risks could
be adequately assessed and managed. Highlighting disaster risk reduction measures, he placed
emphasis on community based initiatives to minimize vulnerabilities. He fully recognized the
wider collective responsibility of stakeholders and the importance of partnership in handling
disaster risk reduction.
At that stage he was already pronouncing consideration to incorporate

Residents use a makeshift raft to relocate children in this flooded section of manila. Photo. Jason
Gutierrez.IRIN
disaster risk reduction elements in new development plans and ensuring community resilience in
facing natural hazards. Integrating disaster risk reduction into plans, programmes, and
development projects together with developing or modifying policies, laws, and organizational
arrangements are aspects which need to be undertaken, according to him. The negative economic
implications on development arising from natural disasters are enormous. Datuk Najib reiterated
the Malaysian government’s commitment to disaster risk reduction through continuing its efforts
towards implementing the priority areas of the Hyogo Framework for Action. In addressing
disaster management, the Malaysian government since the 1990s had put into place policy,
infrastructure and operational mechanisms to ensure coordination and partnership with all
pertinent stakeholders.
With human catastrophe resulting from natural disasters reaching similar level of conflict
situations, calamities certainly deserve collective attention and action. (iv)
It’s hightime that governments and the leadership take the lead in disaster management. It’s
heartwarming when leadership is perceived to grasp the elements and dynamics of disaster
management and taking a proactive stand.
References:-
(i) BERNAMA. October 05, 2009. Najib To Raise Natural Disaster Issues At Unesco . Leslean Arshad.
(ii) New Straits Times . Wednesday, October 07, 2009, 12.03 PM. Prime Minister’s speech at the 35th Unesco General Conference in Paris.
(iii) The Star Online . The Star, June 4, 2006. Malaysia calls for regional humanitarian relief centre.
(iv) The 7th IISS Asian Security Summit Shangri-La Dialogue . Singapore. Sunday 1 June 2007. Restoring Peace in Complex Emergencies.