Disaster Risk Reduction Unit for Kalmunai Municipal Council

December 17, 2012, Kalmunai, Sri Lanka. The Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Unit of the Kalmunai Municipal Council was ceremonially opened on 17th December by the Hon. Mayor of Kalmunai, Dr. M. Siraz Meerasahib. UN-Habitat Programme Manager, Laxman Perera, DRR Project Manager, Indu Weerasoori, Municipal Commissioner, J. Liyakath Ali, Council members, senior Government and Local Authority officers also attended the event. The establishment of the DRR Unit is a key output of the “Disaster Resilient City Development Strategies for Sri Lankan Cities” project, funded by the Government of Australia (AusAID).

The DRR unit will be responsible for the implementation of the Kalmunai Disaster Disk Reduction Plan and Disaster Preparedness Plan. It will also supervise and monitor project implementation in consultation with the Technical Working Group established by the project. Raising community awareness and providing access to information on disaster resilient technologies and providing guidance on DRR procedures adapted by relevant institutions are key activities of the unit.

Kalmunai is the one of the four towns and cities being assisted by the Government of Australia funded Disaster Resilient City Development Strategies for Sri Lankan Cities Project. The project aims to establish sustainable disaster resilient and healthy cities and townships in disaster prone regions of Sri Lanka. The project is being implemented by UN-Habitat, in collaboration with the University of Moratuwa, Ministry of Disaster Management, Urban Development Authority and Local Authorities of the selected four cities.