NewsWhore
06-02-2009, 03:00 PM
Marc Van Wynsberghe, in charge of disaster prevention at the United Nations Development Program in Santo Domingo, called for the drawing up of a National Risk Management Plan. He also said the municipalities need to assume their role in preventing disasters. Wynsberghe said the country rather has a plan for after a disaster.
"We need a plan to avoid those emergencies," he said during a conference at Funglode on disaster prevention.
He said that one of the main weaknesses in the DR is that the authorities have allowed new human settlements in areas that are known to be vulnerable to flooding. He said that once disaster hits the occupants are forced to abandon their homes, but then the government assists them in repairing these so they can return.
Van Wynsberghe feels the authorities should instead ensure that construction no longer be allowed in areas adjacent to rivers, streams or gullies, as well as in steep inclines in cities and countryside.
He stressed that with climate change there will be more storms and thus more flooding. Also participating in the Funglode conference were Gloria Ceballos, director of the National Metereological Office, General Juan Manuel Mendez, of the Center for Emergency Operations (COE), and Major General Luis Luna Paulino, director of Civil Defense.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#8)
"We need a plan to avoid those emergencies," he said during a conference at Funglode on disaster prevention.
He said that one of the main weaknesses in the DR is that the authorities have allowed new human settlements in areas that are known to be vulnerable to flooding. He said that once disaster hits the occupants are forced to abandon their homes, but then the government assists them in repairing these so they can return.
Van Wynsberghe feels the authorities should instead ensure that construction no longer be allowed in areas adjacent to rivers, streams or gullies, as well as in steep inclines in cities and countryside.
He stressed that with climate change there will be more storms and thus more flooding. Also participating in the Funglode conference were Gloria Ceballos, director of the National Metereological Office, General Juan Manuel Mendez, of the Center for Emergency Operations (COE), and Major General Luis Luna Paulino, director of Civil Defense.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#8)