A research work steered (2019) by the University of Moratuwa and the University of Peradeniya, identified that Sri Lankan disaster management mechanism acts much effectively in the emergency response stage than in disaster risk reduction or recovery stages. Although, external organisations are the success behind the emergency response stage in Sri Lanka. (Organizations, people outside the disaster management system in the undisturbed state, such as Volunteers, Armed forces, Politician involvement, Youth and Media volunteerism etc.)

Tsunami 2004 and May flood events from 2016, 2017 and 2018 years were used in this research work in evaluating the disaster management mechanism of Sri Lanka. A questionnaire survey was conducted on victims from Matara and Kalutara area as well with relevant government officials. The discovery of the interventions of external organizations in improving the effectiveness of responding to a disaster is an extract from the data collected from these surveys. 

A major gap in the Disaster Management Process ?

Even though external organizations are behind the success of the emergency response stage of the disaster management mechanism, the disaster management policies and plans have minimum empowerment and inclusion of them. Because of that a disorganized, non-systematic image was visible during past disaster responding experiences. Where external parties do involve in the system without prior notice and plan. If these external parties were included, empowered and managed, the overall effectiveness of responding to a disaster would be much higher. This is a gap identified from past disaster experiences from Sri Lanka.  

In this scenario, how is responding to COVID 19 developed? Are the external interventions utilized?  

But when it comes to COVID-19 mitigation, there are a number of arrangements taken around the inclusion of external organizations. Implementation of the presidential task force to coordinate all the stakeholders, acting chief of defence and army commander to head the national operation centre for the prevention of COVID-19 to ensure public health, are some of the key highlighted actions which ensure coordination and welfare of the public.

These steps have created a balanced and systematic intervention of external organizations in the mitigation process of COVID-19. Which is a remarkable improvement for the disaster management mechanism. Other than for minor disputes in the self-quarantine process involving registering, all the other processes are flowing in a coordinated manner involving Armed forces, Medical Services and Government processes. Other external parties (such as politicians, media and youth volunteerism) we experienced in the previous disasters, seem to be not to take part because of the clear system in place.  

Do we have all the external parties involved and incorporated now? Anything else we can improve ?

Yet the inclusion of youth and other volunteerism activities can still be encompassed into the mitigation activities when necessary in a careful manner. Volunteerism is always practised in Sri Lankan culture and community and people do tend to involve and contribute in any manner they are capable of. Rather than trying to neglect these measures, interpreting them as opportunities and planning ahead is necessary for mitigating an epidemic. 

It will take time to pronounce the success of the processes implemented,

The success of empowerment of the external organizations in mitigation activities will be reflected later with a lot of what-ifs. There would be analysis later with “what would have happened if we had it that way”. Yet the systematic involvement of armed forces and the processed coordination mechanism was a major suggestion came from previous experiences.

It would be much early to say such, still having such measures in the means of a processed system in place is a great achievement in Sri Lankan Disaster Management Mechanism. Would it be a success or not is a question all Sri Lankan’s waiting to find answers for.

Danidu Rathnayake