Addis Ababa – The Disaster Risk Management Commission (DRMC) in Ethiopia announced a comprehensive reform aimed at enhancing its disaster response capabilities to meet escalating humanitarian demands. The DRMC has initiated pre-deployment training for its management and staff at the African Leadership Excellence Academy. Disaster Risk Management Commissioner Shiferaw Teklemariam, speaking at the event, highlighted the implementation of a series of reforms. These include an updated policy framework, a new human resources structure, and enhanced preparedness through better resource and technology management. The Council of Ministers ratified the revised Disaster Risk Management Policy in February, updating a framework that had been in place for nearly two decades.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the reforms will prepare the commission with a more skilled and flexible workforce capable of addressing emergencies effectively. The restructuring is part of an internal reorganization aimed at improving operational efficiency and maximizing the commission’s effectiveness in handling humanitarian crises. This overhaul comes at a critical juncture, with diminishing international aid and increasing domestic needs. Teklemariam emphasized the necessity for the commission to bolster its self-reliance and adeptness in managing complex emergencies to ensure the safety and well-being of Ethiopian citizens during crises.