KUALA LUMPUR (May 7): The National Disaster Management Policy will be reviewed to enhance the country’s resilience, preparedness and capabilities in managing disasters, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Tuesday.

Ahmad Zahid said he had obtained the Cabinet’s approval for the policy review, which would ensure that the nation’s disaster threats are kept to a minimum.

“As an initial step towards this aspiration, the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) is in the final stages of reviewing MKN Directive No. 20: National Disaster Management Policy and Mechanism, to align with the requirements and evolution of increasingly complex disaster management.

“The amendments to MKN Directive No. 20 are expected to further enhance management, especially as it is the primary reference document for national disaster coordination and mechanism,” he said at an appreciation ceremony for frontline personnel of the Northeast Monsoon 2023/2024 at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre here.

At the event, Ahmad Zahid also announced an initial allocation of RM5 million provided by the government through the National Disaster Assistance Trust Fund.

He said this allocation is for the implementation of programmes and readiness training and community awareness to face disasters, including the Community-Based Disaster Risk Management programme, and for use by agencies and non-governmental organisations involved in disaster management.

Ahmad Zahid said that during the last Northeast Monsoon season, 92,534 victims from 27,505 families were placed in 751 temporary relief centres.

He said the number of victims was significantly lower compared to 2022, when 251,799 victims were evacuated.

The deputy prime minister also expressed appreciation to all parties involved in disaster management for the Northeast Monsoon 2023/2024 season, including state governments, enforcement agencies, response agencies, technical agencies, telecommunication companies, non-governmental organisations and media organisations.

He presented certificates of appreciation to the various parties involved, including the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), which was represented by its chief executive officer Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin.

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