$132 Million Earmarked for Community-Based Risk Management Project

A sum of $132 million has been earmarked to continue implementation of the Community-Based Landslide Risk Management project.

This is contained in the 2012/2013 Estimates of Expenditure, which was tabled by Minister of Finance, Planning and Public Service, Hon. Dr. Peter Phillips on May 10, in the House of Representatives.

The project is being implemented by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), through funding from the Japan Social Development Fund and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank).

It aims to reduce the risk of natural disasters in four vulnerable communities, by identifying and implementing landslide risk reduction structures.  As part of the process, a toolkit and short video on the Management of Slope Stability in Communities (MoSSaiC) and its application will be developed, while technical agencies will also be trained in the technology.

The MoSSaiC method aims to apply low-cost landslide risk reduction measures to develop sustainable strategies for slope stability management.

Since implementation in April 2010, four chapters of the toolkit in MoSSaiC methodology has been completed; a systematic drainage plan for Harbour Heights and Melbrook Heights has been drafted; and training conducted in two of the four target communities.

This fiscal year, the plan is to: complete risk reduction measures for Harbour Heights and Melbrook Heights; engage in disaster preparedness and mitigation measures; review five sector policies (Tourism, Agriculture, Housing, Education and Finance; conduct four training intervention in key sectors; and conduct two multi-hazard assessments for coastal towns.

By Alphea Saunders, JIS Senior Reporter