Future plans and actions are clearly defined in the MRCS strategic plan (2007-2010). Activities are defined under five programme areas: Organizational Development, Health and Care in the Community, Disaster Management, Cooperation and Coordination and Financial Resources Development, with these, the Society is putting her ablest effort to deliver efficient and effective humanitarian services in Myanmar.

Disaster Management Division established in the year 2000 with 3 working staffs. It has extended to 7 staffs and Tracing Service Unit was integrated in 2004 with 3 staffs working on REL Tracing Service Programme.

Establishment of Division is to implement MRCS activities to be in line with the Federation Strategy 2010. Myanmar Red Cross Society developed Disaster Management Strategy for 2004 to 2007, aiming its Strategy Goal: to enhance the capacity of Myanmar Red Cross Society in preparing for and responding to disasters.



The Aim and Objectives of Disaster Management

To be a well-prepared National Society response to and prepared for the impact of disasters. To become a well-prepared National Society, it has to strengthen the capacity of National Society at all levels, in order to raise the capacity of the resource development activities.

Roles and Responsibilities

MRCS Disaster Management Division play the important role in responding to minimize the impact of disasters. And its responsibility is to ensure that relief assistance given to the most vulnerable people and act in accordance with the Seven Fundamental Principles and in line with the MRCS DM policy.

MRCS Strategic Operational Plan for 2007 to 2010

Myanmar Red Cross Society Strategic Operation Plan is based on 5 specific objectives.

To strengthen the DM Division, to build up the Disaster Management capacity staffs and RC volunteers, to establish effective DM team and to develop guidelines for response operation.

To standardize logistics system and improve facilities at States and Divisions, and stock piling capacity and warehouse management.
To develop communication system and hazard mapping warning system.

To enhance community based disaster management programme and to raise community participation awareness in DM.

To strengthen coordination and collaboration mechanism with key stakeholders.

Strategic Operational plan and activities

To establish and effective DM Team at NHQ and at all levels.

To build capacity of staff and volunteers at all levels.

To allocate specific financial resources for Human resources development.

To monitor and evaluate DM activities.

To improve logistics and warehouse management systems.

To improve and standardize communication system at all levels.

To develop guidelines for response operations.

To raise community participations and awareness in CBDM process.

To coordination and collaborate with key stakeholders.

The Resource Development Activities

Strengthening the capacity of NHQ staffs and RC volunteers at all levels.

Disaster Assessment and Response Team (DART) training courses were conducted at States and Divisions levels trainied NHQ staffs and RC volunteers to extend the skill and knowledge of disaster response activities at the township level where the impact of disasters affected to the most vulnerable people.

DART multiplier courses will be conducting at 16 townships in States and Divisions within 2006.

CBDM process facilitators trainings were conducted for 4 States and Divisions to develop the CBDM programme at village level to develop the awareness on Community Based Disaster Management process.

RDRT trainings: To strengthening the capacity of NHQ staffs and senior RC volunteers.

Construction of warehouses in States and Divisions for pre-position of relief stocks for response preparedness.

Water Safety Training: It is a part and parcel of Search and Rescue activity. When disasters or any kind of accident occurred in sea,rivers or streams, searching for any missing persons and picking up death bodies were mostly done by RC volunteers at the risk of their lives. So to protect them from drowning, a proper live saving skill and technique were taught at Water Safety training courses. It is very essential and important rescure training for those who lived in costal areas.

Tracing Services: The retoring family link tracing service programme implemented in cooperation with the ICRC. The programme focused on delivering the Red Cross Message(RCM) to the families of detainee living in townships and villages. The RCM forms were delivered to the respective families with the help of township Red Cross volunteers.

Logistics and Warehouse Management

18 Warehouses were constructed in States and Divisions to stock pile the relief supplies ready to response to the need of the beneficiaries who are in distress. These warehouses were located at strategic places where goods could be dispatched to the affected areas in shortest possible time. Procurement of relief supplies were made bi-annually with the Disaster Management Programme funds, in cooperation with the Federation. And relief stocks were replenished as and when required to States and Divisions Red Cross Branches.