Compared to previous years, this year Brunei Darussalam has experienced the worst in terms of disaster operations. In 2009, Brunei has already faced floods and landslides and a pandemic, serious fire outbreak and now the haze. In 2008, Brunei Darussalam experienced landslides, floods and strong winds, while in 2007, it only faced floods and strong winds.

Awang Yahya bin Hj Abdul Rahman, the Director of Fire and Rescue, delivered a presentation on disaster management strategy for Brunei Darussalam yesterday at the High Level Seminar on Disaster Management.

Held at the Bunker Café of the Empire Hotel and Country Club, Awang Yahya who is also the Director of National Disaster Management Centre, outlined the possible disasters for next year, which are natural disasters such as floods, storms, fires, drought and landslides. There are also possible industrial disasters, haze, pandemic and so on.

Awang Yahya showed a slide on Total Disaster Risk Management consisting of Risk Management (Prevention and Mitigation with Preparedness) and Crisis Management (Response and Recovery).

In an new approach to disaster management, he said, "Brunei is best suited with an integrated, multihazard approach to disaster risk reduction rather than response that should be factored into policies, planning and programming related to sustainable development, relief rehabilitation and recovery activities".

In line with the Hyogo Framework for Actions (HFA) of building the resilience of nations and communities to disasters, he said, "NDMC will have to set up a Disaster Risk Reduction National Platform, Mid-term Review of HFA Implementation, formulate National Disaster Management Plan and capacity building on five priority areas, namely, ensuring that disaster risk reduction is a national and a local priority with a strong institutional basis for implementation, identify, asses and monitor disaster risks and enhance early warning.

"Other priorities include using knowledge, innovation and education to build a culture of safety and resilience at all levels, reduce the underlying risk factors and strengthen disaster preparedness for effective response at all levels."

Meanwhile Dato Paduka Haji Sarbini bin Hj Ali, the Permanent Secretary of Home Affairs in his capacity as Secretary of the Disaster Management Council Brunei Darussalam in his opening remarks said, "The objective of today's seminar which is the first organised by the council is to strengthen our awareness and deepen our understanding of the complexity of disaster management and the structures as well as processes and disaster management in Brunei Darussalam.

"As we recall, last year and early this year Brunei Darussalam experienced major flood and landslides. Our daily activities were disrupted and our public utilities were badly affected. We were not prepared for such a disaster, however, the lost of human lives was very minimum. We have learnt from those and we are preparing for the next heavy seasonal rain which will fall in October until January next year

"Meanwhile, we are experiencing haze which has been an annual occurrence and hopefully won't get worst. Therefore for these reasons, the council has organised this high level seminar."