Basic Disaster Preparedness for Civil Registries Suva, Fiji 3 October 2017 http://www.unisdr.org/

Walk of Resilience Let’s do a simple exercise that will get us thinking about how prepared your civil registry is for a flood, storm or other hazard Please join the Walk of Resilience …. http://www.unisdr.org/

Usual approach to disaster planning http://www.unisdr.org/

Is this really a big issue in the Pacific? Well, Yes it is! http://www.unisdr.org/

Even in the world’s most advanced economy Well, Yes it is! http://www.unisdr.org/

Cyclone Winston 2016 FJD$ 1.5 billion losses to business sector (PIPSO) 14.5 million work days lost translating into FJD$ 350 million lost personal income for workers Total losses 10% of GDP Agricultural losses FJD$240 million (excl. sugar sector) Sugar industry losses FJD$160 million (Source: International Business Times) Photo: UN Women

The number of disasters is increasing Disaster occurrence in Asia and the Pacific (Source: EM-DAT)

The cost of disasters is increasing Economic and human losses in Asia and the Pacific (Source: EM-DAT)

‘Unprecedented events’ The world has seen the “dramatic aggravation” of climate change with “unprecedented events” caused by flooding from Florida to Texas to Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sierra Leone. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

The ‘business case’ for civil registries Protects your civil registry’s assets & operations (BCP works) Saves you money through avoided losses (disaster resilient investment pays) Enhances your reputation (DRR as an investment not a cost) Everyone wins (your workers; your service & the wider community)

Your continuity plan   In groups – what are the key things you need to consider to ensure your civil registry is protected and continues to function (or reopens quickly)? 15 mins http://www.unisdr.org/

Disaster-proof your civil registry in 12 steps   Step 1: Identify your core products/services Prioritize the top three and write them down http://www.unisdr.org/

Disaster-proof your civil registry in 12 steps   Step 2: Identify your essential roles & skillsets Know the people carrying out your registry’s key tasks and write this down in your continuity plan Tip: Cross-train team members so they can provide back-up to roles http://www.unisdr.org/

Disaster-proof your civil registry in 12 steps   Step 3: Identify your essential equipment Know which equipment you need to deliver your key products/services & the options for getting replacements http://www.unisdr.org/

Disaster-proof your civil registry in 12 steps   Step 4: Identify your essential supplies Know the supplies you need to deliver your key products/services & the options for alternative suppliers http://www.unisdr.org/

Disaster-proof your civil registry in 12 steps   Step 5: Identify your relocation options Have back-up location options i.e. potential sharing with other government departments/ working from home etc. http://www.unisdr.org/

Disaster-proof your civil registry in 12 steps   Step 6: Identify your insurance options Investigate government and local private insurance options if any http://www.unisdr.org/

Disaster-proof your civil registry in 12 steps   Step 7: Agree delegation of authority Investigate how roles and responsibilities can be delegated in the absence of managers/department heads – make sure those assuming new responsibilities are briefed on these potential new roles http://www.unisdr.org/

Disaster-proof your civil registry in 12 steps   Step 8: Record contact details Ensure there is a record of multiple contact details for each member of your team as well as your key partners in government and suppliers (inc. private sector) http://www.unisdr.org/

Disaster-proof your civil registry in 12 steps   Step 9: Registry records Ensure there is back-up of your records incl. if possible off-premises and other options (back up hard drive) http://www.unisdr.org/

Disaster-proof your civil registry in 12 steps   Step 10: Save the plan Ensure it is known and accessible http://www.unisdr.org/

Disaster-proof your civil registry in 12 steps   Step 11: Emergency preparedness Ensure staff have getaway kits and are trained in protecting themselves and their family and the products and services of the registry http://www.unisdr.org/

Disaster-proof your civil registry in 12 steps   Step 12: Practice and update the plan Don’t let it gather dust on the shelf … use it and revise it … it is an investment not a cost! http://www.unisdr.org/

Ideas for adaptation/improvement Please discuss in your groups how this could be improved for your civil registry http://www.unisdr.org/

The Hot Seat! For two minutes please think about what is the main challenge your civil registry faces in managing its disaster risk Request for two or three volunteers to sit on the Hot Seat The Hot Seat Person will have one minute to explain what is their main disaster preparedness challenge Hot Seat Person will open the floor or point to individuals in the room to provide their advice and/or solutions. http://www.unisdr.org/

Approaches to risk strategy (1)   Use one or mix of ‘types of action’: Temporary: eg hire fans to cool work place Managerial: eg introduce flexi-time Technical: eg refurbish building; enhance flood defences Strategic: eg commission new building with climate resilient design as part of planned programme http://www.unisdr.org/

Approaches to risk strategy (2)   Use one or mix of four ‘strategies’: Avoid risk: ie pull out of hazardous locations; do not rely on suppliers who are not ‘resilient’ Reduce risk: ie upgrade existing infrastructure Share risk: ie insure assets & contractual agreements to guarantee key supplies Accept risk: zero risk – registry knowingly agrees to accept residual risk after above measures http://www.unisdr.org/

Approaches to risk strategy (3)   Action through one or mix of key registry processes: Logistics – certify suppliers, support their resilience Premises – pull out of hazardous locations; retrofitting Processes – increase storage & back-up systems People – strengthen preparedness training; flexi time Finance – insurance, investing to offset potential losses http://www.unisdr.org/

Choose your strategy   In groups – which strategy would work best for your civil registry? 20 mins discussion then share thoughts   By Action Temporary: eg hire fans to cool work place Managerial: eg introduce flexi-time Technical: eg refurbish building; enhance flood defences Strategic: eg commission new building with climate resilient design as part of planned programme By strategy Avoid risk: ie pull out of hazardous locations; do not rely on suppliers who are not ‘resilient’ Reduce risk: ie upgrade existing infrastructure Share risk: ie insure assets & contractual agreements to guarantee key supplies Accept risk: zero risk – registry knowingly agrees to accept residual risk after above measures By process Logistics – certify suppliers, support their resilience Premises – pull out of hazardous locations; retrofitting Processes – increase storage & back-up systems People – strengthen preparedness training; flexi time Finance – insurance, investing to offset potential losses http://www.unisdr.org/

Ambitious global plan based on risk management Headline message: prevent new disaster risk and reduce existing disaster risk Several indicators on contingency planning & training and drills at local level & for gvt depts.

I Thank you http://www.unisdr.org/