NDMA Launches Disaster Management and Emergency Response Planning for Guraidhoo

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has initiated the development of a comprehensive disaster management plan for Guraidhoo in Kaafu Atoll. The initiative, which began on August 9 and runs through August 13, aims to strengthen the island's preparedness against natural and man-made emergencies. The process involves a collaborative approach, with the Guraidhoo Island Council and representatives from all key local institutions participating in dedicated working sessions. According to Hassan Ziyau, NDMA's Director of Programmes, Research and Advocacy, the first three days of the program are focused exclusively on formulating the strategic disaster management plan alongside relevant stakeholders. Following the planning phase, the final two days of the program are dedicated to the practical training of Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT). These specialized teams will consist of local volunteers trained to provide immediate, first-line responses during emergency events, reducing reliance on external aid during the critical first hours of a crisis. This initiative is part of the Community-Based Resilience Building Framework, a modernized strategy designed to reduce disaster risks and increase public awareness. This framework replaces an older model used since 2012, having been revised with technical assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The project is funded through the REDS in SIDS program, implemented by the UNDP with financial support from Luxembourg, Denmark, and South Korea. This international partnership underscores the urgency of building resilience in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which are disproportionately vulnerable to climate-related disasters. To date, the NDMA has successfully developed island-level disaster management plans for 72 islands across the archipelago. The authority confirmed that it is continuing to expand this rollout to additional islands to ensure a nationwide standard of emergency readiness.