NATIONAL DISASTER OPERATIONS CENTRE
Initially established on 21 January 1998 following the adverse effects of el-nino rains. The aim was to coordinate the national effort in reducing the impact of the rains and widespread infrastructural and environmental destructions
Later the US embassy bomb blast in the city in august 1998 affirmed the requirement to have a permanent entity to coordinate disaster management in the country.
NDOC is manned by officers drawn from various ministries/departments of the government on a 24 hour basis. These include
1) Ministry of Defense
2) Ministry of Interior
3) National Police Service
4) Ministry Health
5) Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries
6) Department of Immigration
7) Kenya Correctional Services
NDOC Mandate
1) Monitor all rapid onset of disasters on 24 hrs,7 days a week,365 days a year
2) Mobilize national resources to combat rapid onset disaster incidents
3) Co-ordinate national resources to respond to disasters and management activities
4) Collaborate and network with other stakeholders
5) Sensitize and inform the public on disaster related issues
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Core Fuctions)
1) Coordination at national level of all disaster management activities before, during and after disasters
2) Translation of decisions by the national disaster coordination committee into action items by relevant ministries/departments as necessary
3) Preparing all inventories of resources and assets available for disaster response
4) Develop a prioritized list of needs for donors to meet shortfalls in relief supplies
5) Prepare evacuation plans, shelter and refugee areas.
6) Ensuring key personnel are informed of activation of disaster contingency plans
7) Arranging clearances for aircrafts, ships as well as custom, visa acquisition for relief personnel and agencies
8) Preparation of daily disaster SITREPS to subscribing ministries and other relevant agencies
9) Carry out disaster sensitization programmes across the counties