Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 04/2014

Review of Myanmar's Disaster Management Law from the Angle of Inclusivity

Adele Peers

February 2014

Oxfam Publishing

Abstract

Disasters from natural hazards are increasing and becoming more complex. Governments are falling short of the promises they made under the Hyogo Framework for Action, and globally, not enough is being done to reduce risk for the most vulnerable people, including women, children, and people who are marginalized and living in poverty. The Myanmar government passed its Disaster Management Law in July 2013, and is currently showing a willingness to move inclusive disaster management up the political agenda. This report points to the gaps in the implementation of the Disaster Management Law from the point of view of vulnerable groups. It shows how there is now an opportunity to make disaster management and risk reduction work inclusive and embedded in all sectors.