Myanmar is exposed to multiple natural hazards which include Cyclone, Storm surge, Floods, Landslide, Earthquake, Tsunami, Drought, Fire and Forest Fire. Its coastal regions are exposed to cyclones, storm surges and tsunamis while major parts of the country are at risk from earthquakes and fires. The rainfall-induced flooding is a recurring phenomenon across the country while some parts of the country is exposed to landslide and drought risks. As per the data from 1998 to 20072, fires constituted about 71% of reported disaster events, followed by floods (10%), storms (11%) and others (8%) including earthquakes, tsunami and landslides. The Cyclone Nargis (2008) was the worst natural disaster in the living memory of Myanmar.
While the Union of Myanmar is striving for a peaceful, modern and developed nation, natural disasters destroy the developmental gains and hinder the developmental interventions. The preparedness and mitigation should be an integral part of the development plans and programmes. It is also important to make prior arrangement for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities, in case a natural disaster strikes. The Union of Myanmar is committed to Disaster risk reduction and it has systems and procedures at National, State/Division, District, Township, Wards and Village Tracts levels for Disaster Management. It has also prepared National Disaster Preparedness Central Committee’s Disaster Risk Reduction, Preparedness, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Action Plan. The National Disaster Preparedness Central Committee’s Standing Order has also been revised. This Myanmar Action Plan on Disaster Risk Reduction (MAPDRR) complement the NDPCC’s Disaster Risk Reduction, Preparedness, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Action Plan and the Standing Order. The MAPDRR will help in operationalization of the Standing Order.