Afghanistan: Strategic national action plan (SNAP) for disaster risk reduction: Towards peace and stable development

The Afghanistan Strategic National Action Plan (SNAP) for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR): Towards Peace and Stable Development is a sectoral national strategy applicable for the period 2011-2015. It envisages achieving two goals: (1) to develop the linkages between disaster risk reduction strategies, climate change adaptation processes and invulnerable development paradigms with focus on social protection measures and inclusiveness in order to support various other initiatives to promote the ‘community at peace’ principle in Afghanistan, and (2) to minimize losses caused by disasters and climate change impacts through strategies guided by Hyogo Framework for Action, with the backdrop of peace and development.

Strategic Objective 1 of the SNAP provides for possessing a stronger, comprehensive and contextualized mechanism for disaster management. For this, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Capacity Building Programme will be implemented for improved coordination and knowledge sharing among all stakeholders at all levels as well as for an enhanced capacity among focal points in government agencies, local government.

Strategic Objective 2 aims to enhance knowledge sharing among all stakeholders at all levels. To this end, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Information Management Initiative will be launched for adequate data and information support to disaster risk reduction stakeholders through a working information network, communication mechanisms and improved quality assurance system.

Strategic Objective 3 plans to strengthen the early warning system that is based on sound vulnerability and capacity assessments. For this objective, the National Early Warning System will be introduced for Enhanced preparedness through a people-centred early warning system supported by capable scientific, technological and media institutions.

Strategic Objective 4 promotes raising public awareness of disaster risk reduction nationwide through the National Disaster Risk Reduction Awareness Campaign in order to motivate stakeholders to mitigate and prepare for disasters.

Strategic Objective 5 aims to strengthen community resilience using means to reduce the underlying factors of risk by potential social capital to deal with disasters built in selected communities with capacity to learn and adapt to disaster and climate-related risks with support from multi-sectoral, inter- and intra-governmental team.

Strategic Objective 6 plans to enhance disaster preparedness capacities in government at different levels by means of the Preparedness for Effective Response programme. The programme will enhance effectiveness in responding to disasters with having most emergency preparedness components such as drills, stockpiles, contingency plans, emergency fund and coordination mechanisms in place. Implementation of SNAP hinges on the Afghanistan government system and practices.