Myanmar Institute of Theology

Liberal Arts Programme

A study on the Youth’s awareness and perceptive on Myanmar’s

disaster risk management system (The Case Study of eight
Universities in Yangon Region)

LAP IV (Social Studies Major)

December, 2019-2020
1. Class Name – LAP IV, Social Studies
Academic year – 2019-2020

2. Topic :
English Version - A study on the Youth’s awareness and perceptive on
Myanmar’s disaster risk management system
Myanmar Version - မြန်မာနို င်ငံ သဘာဝဘေးအန္တရာယ်စီမံ ခန့်ခွဲမှု စနစ်အပေါ် လူငယ်များ၏

အမြင်နှ င့် သိနားလည်မှု

3. Institute – Myanmar Institute of Theology (MIT)

4. Background and rationale

4.1 Background and socio-geographical situation of Myanmar

Myanmar is one of the largest countries in Southeast Asia, with a size of
261,228 square miles and bordering India, Bangladesh, China, Laos and Thailand.
According to 2017 data collection, it has a population of 53.37 million with over 135
ethnic groups. The major racial groups are Myanmar, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin,
Mon, Rakhine and Shan. Naypyidaw is the capital city of Myanmar and according to
the population census conducted in 2014, Yangon, Ayeyarwady and Mandalay have
the largest amount of population, holding 38% of the country's population. The official
language is Burmese and there are also many ethnic groups with their own languages.
Majority of the population is Buddhists.

Myanmar is also known for its richness in natural resources such as timber, petroleum,
zinc, lead, coal, precious stones, etc. Moreover, it also is a home for over hundreds of
species of animals and thousands of plants. Myanmar has a monsoon climate and it
has three seasons - summer, rainy and winter, each season lasting for about four
months. Even though there is a significant improvement in economic development
after shifting to democracy government and increasing foregin investments, the living
conditions of the majority is still low and Myanmar stands as an economic deficient
country. Myanmar’s geography places it among the world’s most hazard-prone
countries. They reflect the ability and capacity of societies to manage the hazards they
face. People are now much more aware of Government’s capacity in disaster risk
management which amounts to less average reliability. But, whatever it’s coming as a
disaster, Management and preparedness is to be done by any means necessary.

4.2 Rationale of the study

A disaster is the misfortune of natural or human made perils that negatively

affect our society. To be detail, a disaster can be defined as any tragic event with great
loss from events such as earthquakes, floods, accidents, fires, cyclones or
explosion[ CITATION Sri18 \l 1033 ]. Resilience is key to sustainable development as
disasters wipe out development gains of several decades in a matter of hour and day as
demonstrated by the flood of 2015 and the Cyclone Nargis of 2008 in Myanmar. The
country is prone to almost all types of hazards ranging from earthquakes to floods and
from cyclones to fires. Climate change and skewed development can increase the
existing risk by many folds, if it is not addressed in comprehensive and systematic
matter[CITATION Nat17 \l 1033 ].

In Myanmar, disasters can be caused by different types of hazards, from slowly

becoming impacts of drought, occur seasonally and fast-approaching impacts of
cyclones to sudden the beginning effects of an earthquake, which is an immediate
occurrence. Thus, Disaster Risk Management, hereafter in used as DRM, has to be
capable of reducing loss of life and minimizing economic loss through a challenging
and diverse context of risk as it is determined by different communities. Additionally,
for outcomes to be beneficial and sustainable, disaster risk management has to tried
achieve and the power that is used for doing within everyday development processes
and decision-making. 

Disasters such as earthquakes, floods, cyclones, landslides commonly occur

in the rainy season and droughts in the summer. In 2015-16, Myanmar encountered
impacts of El Niño - it brought severe problems such as extreme high temperature,
unusual rainfall patterns, and acute water shortage and drought conditions. It is also
one of the countries which is the most prone to climate change. Myanmar has been
affected by natural disasters over the past ten years.
 Climate change is mainly caused by changes of sea level, temperature, and
precipitation. In Myanmar, flooding seems to be the main concern and it has caused a
lot of damage and death throughout the last decade, but there are also other issues such
as droughts, heatwaves, water shortages, water resources, etc. There has been a
significant improvement in its disaster management policies, and procedures after
Cyclone Nargis in 2008, however, compared to other countries is Southeast Asia,
Myanmar still lacks preparation for climate change and natural disasters. Moreover,
there are also environmental problems such as deforestation, industrial pollution of air,
soil and water, biodiversity issues.

Since 2008, Cyclone Nargis, Myanmar has been in great notice of natural
disasters. Over 100000 lives were lost in the cyclone Nargis. Earthquakes, floods,
landslides are some of the disasters the people are used to hearing. Many physical and
social losses have been faced due to these disasters. Although the country is once
considered a natural resource rich country, now the country is in natural resource
curse. Overuse of natural resources is considered one of the main causes of the
existence of hazard-prone environment. Also, due to the consequences the global
climate change as an emerging third world country, instead of owing a prosperous
socioeconomic development, the country is being pulled down to obtain a successful
economy and forced to carry out rigid environmental protection processes. Moreover,
not only due to the hazards but also due to the slow and weak actions and
preparedness of the government for natural disasters, the country faces more damages
and losses than it ever should.

As mentioned above, the biggest disaster had encountered in modern

generation of Myanmar was Nargis which made a huge difference for all the Myanmar
citizens’ perspective on Disaster Risk Reduction and started to concern about
Government’s Disaster Risk Management System. Therefore, over the years, the
government has taken concrete steps to strengthen systems for disaster risk
management, such as formulating the Natural Disaster Management Law, 2013, and
its implementing rules, strengthening institutions from the union to village level,
strengthening the capacity for disaster risk management planning and early warning
systems, and, forming the Disaster Risk Youth Volunteers trained in disaster response
including first-aid skills. Many areas of opportunity exist to further strengthen disaster
risk management in Myanmar in ways that contribute strongly to community-level
disaster resilience. Collectively, it is clear that strengthening community disaster
resilience requires a common understanding on the need to manage disaster risk.
However, there are flood and earthquake in most of the regions in Myanmar annually
and still not completely recovered and resettled. Most of people are homeless and
suffering the loss in socio-economic negative results.

The controversial topic that most people ask when it comes to “Disaster Risk
Management” is “Is young people’s involvement effective in disaster preparedness
and planning or managing role?” Social norms have often failed to incorporate youth
in leadership roles and decision making process even during emergency situations.
Sadly, when a disaster strikes in any given community, youth and children are found
to represent more than a third of disaster victims, yet their response role in a disaster is
generally restricted to that of passive victims.

To define the meaning of a university student, who is a youth and having a

great zeal at any subject [ CITATION Sri18 \l 1033 ]. University students have a major
role to play in managing disasters. They can spread awareness about disasters and tips
to handle them. The basic role of the student is awareness of what to do during and
after disasters. The related of youths and disaster risk management system is that the
youth are among the groups disproportionately affected by extreme poverty,
unemployment, social exclusion, and lack of access to education. This can also
express them vulnerable to natural hazards. However, the youth bring different
perspectives in understanding risk and can act at agents of change throughout the
world. Their potential in contributing to disaster risk management is yet untapped and
involving young people in disaster management can help them learn topics that affect
their lives while at the same time gaining hands-on experience designed to equip them
become tomorrow better leaders who will build or innovate disaster-proof cities .

Opposing to the other youths around the world, Myanmar youths are
considered to have poor knowledge on disasters, policies related to disaster risk
management or actions government has taken out. In addition, as young people are
considered the main assets of development in countries, they are essential to have
knowledge on disaster risk management and be aware of natural and man-made
disasters. In a country with little awareness on disaster risk management, it is the
responsibility of youths to take care of their unforeseen future. Furthermore, Myanmar
 lacks education for disaster risk management and there are very less campaigns, either
informal or formal education about disasters risk management. Hence, it is important
to strengthen their participation disaster and resilience activities in a community,
prepare, and provide them with necessary knowledge and skills for preparedness and
response.

This research is dedicated to investigate the perspective and awareness of

youth, whom mostly university students in Yangon where students come from
different background and different parts of Myanmar, from both public and private
universities, specializing in arts and science. The main purpose of this research is to
highlight the fact that it is important to care and maintain Mother Nature and the
environmental issues and disasters are concerned with us whereas even threaten the
lives and wealth of citizens of Myanmar during recent years. As the philanthropist
Petra Nemcova says, “We cannot stop natural disaster but we can arm ourselves with
knowledge; so many lives wouldn’t have to be lost if there was enough disaster
preparedness”. Although Government plays a crucial role in Disaster Risk
Management System in Myanmar, most of citizens percept lacks of social support and
help from government which directly indicates, the weak of government’s mechanism
in disaster management system and public publicity as well.

4.3 Recent Natural Disasters in Myanmar

2011

• March - 6.8 Earthquake in Shan State, making thousands of people homeless.

• October - Floods in Magway region and thousands of houses and acres of

croplands were destroyed.

2012

• August - Floods across Myanmar and Ayeyarwady was the most affected
region.

• November - 6.8 Earthquake in Northern Myanmar

2013

• August - Monsoon rains overflowed local rivers, affecting Kayin, Mon and
Rakhine States.
 2014

• July - Flooding, landslides and the collapse of riverbanks caused by heavy

seasonal rain, especially in Ayeyarwady, Bago, Kayin, Kachin, Magway, Rakhine,
Shan, Tanintharyi and Yangon (OCHA, 15 Aug 2014).

2015

• July - Due to tropical Cyclone Komen, twelve out of fourteen states and
regions were affected by high winds and heavy rain. Chin and Rakhine states and the
regions of Sagaing and Magwa were declared as natural disaster zones on the 31st of
July.

2015 - 2016

• Southeast Asian Drought - because of El Niño, 146 villages suffered from

water in summer of 2015 and over 300 villages in 2016.

2016

• June - Tropical Cyclone Roanu triggered flooding in several areas in Sagaing,

Rakhine, Ayeyarwady, and Bago.

• July - Flooding and landslides in Rakhine, Sagaing and Kachin due to heavy
rain and people from Magway, Sagaing, Mandalay, Kachin and Chin were displaced.

• August - Monsoon floods in Magway. Sagaing and Kachin.

4.4 Background of Yangon

Even though Naypyidaw was declared as the new capital in 2005, Yangon is
still remaining as the cultural and commercial heart of Myanmar. The city covers an
area of 231.18 square miles and it is the largest city in Myanmar with a population of
over 5 million, which also indicates that it is also the most populous. The population
rate is getting higher day by day as it has better job offers, education and health care
system, housing, water resources, etc, compared to other states and regions.

Yangon is considered to be the fifth most vulnerable city affected by climate

change as it is prone to many natural disasters such as floods, storms, earthquakes,
fire, and disease epidemic. Among such disasters, earthquake has the potential to
cause most damage, as there are colonial type public buildings, cultural heritage
 buildings such as pagodas and monastery, which we have to maintain for sentimental
value, other service buildings such as schools, hospitals, etc. and thousands of
households.

5. Research question

In recent years, what kind of disaster make you realize the necessity of Disaster Risk
Management system in Myanmar?

How do you think of Myanmar’s National Plan for Disaster Risk Management?

Why do you think the role of Myanmar Government is important in Disaster Risk
management?

How to advocate Myanmar Government to improve its Disaster Risk Management

policies and implement the national plan effectively and efficiently?

6. Research objective

The objective of the paper is to explore deep down what are the National Plan
for disaster risk management and how the government tackling the current issue. This
paper also aims to examine the youth understanding and awareness on the current
situation of Myanmar in term of disaster and its consequences and to encourage the
Youth to actively participate in environmental related programs and campaign to
create a better world inclusively.

7. Review of related Literature and concepts

7.1 Introduction of Disaster

Disasters hurt the poor and vulnerable the most. From 1998 through 2018, 91%
of storm-related fatalities were in low- and middle-income countries, even though
these countries experienced just 32% of storms[ CITATION The19 \l 1033 ].
Since 1980, more than two million people and over $3 trillion have been lost to
disasters caused by natural hazards, with total damages increasing by more than 600%
from $23 billion a year in the 1980s to $150 billion a year in the last decade [ CITATION
The19 \l 1033 ]. The World Bank’s Shock Waves report finds that almost 75% of the
losses are attributable to extreme weather events, and climate change threatens to push
an additional 100 million people into extreme poverty by 2030. The Bank’s
Unbreakable report finds that natural disasters have had large and long-lasting impacts
on poverty.
Population growth and rapid urbanization are driving the increase in disaster
risks. The United Nations estimates that more than two-thirds of the world’s
population will live in cities by 2050. The Bank’s Aftershocks report explains that
these trends could put 1.3 billion people and $158 trillion in assets at risk from river
and coastal floods alone[ CITATION The19 \l 1033 ].
Mainstreaming disaster risk management into development planning can
reverse the current trend of rising disaster impact. Furthermore, when countries rebuild
stronger, faster and more inclusively after disasters, they can reduce the impact on
people’s livelihoods and well-being by as much as 31%, potentially cutting global
average losses[ CITATION The19 \l 1033 ].
Deniably, disaster risk cannot be eliminated completely, but it can be assessed and
managed in order to reduce the impact of disasters [ CITATION Smi09 \l 1033 ]. If
countries act decisively, they can save lives and assets. However, many developing
countries lack the tools, expertise, and instruments to factor the potential impacts of
disasters into their investment decisions[ CITATION The19 \l 1033 ].

7.2 Definition of Disaster, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Disaster Risk
Management (DRM) and its related terms

According to International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

(IFRC), a disaster is a sudden, calamitous event that seriously disrupts the functioning
of a community or society and causes human, material, and economic or
environmental losses that exceed the community’s or society’s ability to cope using its
own resources. Though often caused by nature, disasters can have human origins
[ CITATION Int19 \l 1033 ]. A disaster occurs when a hazard impacts on vulnerable
people in some part of the world. Therefore, it can be defined alternatively that the
combination of hazards, vulnerability and inability to reduce the potential negative
consequences of risk results in disaster[ CITATION Int19 \l 1033 ].
 For Disaster Risk Reduction, it is defined by United Nation office for Disaster
Risk Reduction that, Disaster risk management is the application of disaster risk
reduction policies and strategies to prevent new disaster risk reduce existing disaster
risk and manage residual risk, contributing to the strengthening of resilience and
reduction of disaster losses[CITATION Uni17 \l 1033 ]. Disaster risk management is a
comprehensive approach involving the identification of threats due to hazards;
processing and analyzing these threats; understanding people’s vulnerability; assessing
the resilience and coping capacity of the communities; developing strategies for future
risk reduction; and building up capacities and operational skills to implement the
proposed measures[CITATION Pet13 \l 1033 ].

Disaster risk management is the process of planning, implementing, evaluating

and adapting strategies, procedures and measures relating to the analysis, reduction
and transfer of disaster risks, with the aim of reducing hazards, vulnerability and
strengthening the coping and adaption capacities of individuals, households,
communities and state structures. Disaster risk management is a continuous process
that involves physical and non-physical measures and takes account of the underlying
risk factors within a society. Disaster risk management aims to avoid the generation of
new risks, improve resilience to the effects of natural events and contribute to
sustainable development[CITATION Fie12 \l 1033 ]

Disaster risk management actions can be distinguished between prospective

disaster risk management, corrective disaster risk management and compensatory
disaster risk management, also called residual risk management. Prospective disaster
risk management activities address and seek to avoid the development of new or
increased disaster risks[CITATION Uni17 \l 1033 ]. They focus on addressing disaster
risks that may develop in future if disaster risk reduction policies are not put in place.
Examples are better land-use planning or disaster-resistant water supply systems.
Corrective disaster risk management activities address and seek to remove or reduce
disaster risks which are already present and which need to be managed and reduced
now. Examples are the retrofitting of critical infrastructure or the relocation of
exposed populations or assets.

Compensatory disaster risk management activities strengthen the social and

economic resilience of individuals and societies in the face of residual risk that cannot
be effectively reduced. They include preparedness, response and recovery activities,
but also a mix of different financing instruments, such as national contingency funds,
contingent credit, insurance and reinsurance and social safety nets [CITATION Uni17 \l
1033 ].

Community-based disaster risk management promotes the involvement of

potentially affected communities in disaster risk management at the local
level[CITATION Uni17 \l 1033 ]. This includes community assessments of hazards,
vulnerabilities and capacities, and their involvement in planning, implementation,
monitoring and evaluation of local action for disaster risk reduction. Local and
indigenous peoples’ approach to disaster risk management is the recognition and use
of traditional, indigenous and local knowledge and practices to complement scientific
knowledge in disaster risk assessments and for the planning and implementation of
local disaster risk management.

7.3 Myanmar’s Natural Disaster management Law, 2013

Myanmar is committed to disaster risk reduction and it has systems and
procedures at National, State/Region, District, Township, Wards and Village Tracts
levels for Disaster Management. Furthermore, the Myanmar Disaster Preparedness
Agency was constituted on 20 April 2011 to take the systematic preparedness
measures for the disasters, which can occur, from time to time in the country and to
undertake the quick and effective activities on relief and support during the disaster.
And to coordinate effectively among the countries in South-east Asia and the Pacific
region on search and rescue, and to lay down and implement the national search and
rescue measures, the Myanmar National Search and Rescue Committee was also
constituted on 20 April, 2011[ CITATION Pre14 \l 1033 ].
Myanmar’s Natural Disaster management Law enacted on 31st July, 2013. It
was approved by the former President, U Thein Sein. It is comprised with 9 chapters
and total 31st pages in it. Natural Disaster management committee is formed due to the
Chapter three of this management law and it sets up duties and power of the
committee. Chapter four of it is about the formation of Natural Disaster Management
bodies, which means both the Union Government and the state and regional
government. It is also mentioned the duties and power of those bodies.
In Natural Disaster management committee, it is declared in Myanmar’s
Natural Disaster management Law, 2013 that The Union Government:
(a) shall, in order to implement the provisions of this Law effectively and successfully,
form the National Natural Disaster Management Committee comprising a Vice-
president as the chairman together with suitable persons;
(b) may re-form the National Committee formed under sub-section (a) as
necessary[ CITATION Mya13 \l 1033 ]. And it is also mentioned that the Ministry of
Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement will undertake the office works relating to the
functions and duties of the National Committee [ CITATION Mya13 \l 1033 ] when it is in
need.
Before that, 2013 Myanmar’s Natural Disaster Management Law, The
Rehabilitation Board Act (1950), the Board of Development Affairs Act (1993), the
Epidemic Diseases Prevention Act (1995), the Implementation of Insurance Act
(1996), and the Fire Services Act (1997) has been promulgated in Myanmar. However,
all these rules and laws have been existing unpopularly in Myanmar and not practiced
widely. All those are just lying on paper and get dim through the passage of time.
On 31st July, 2019 published, Eleven News Journal, Dr. Win Myat Aye, Union
Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement said that “The ministry is
rewriting the natural disaster management law” at the opening ceremony of the
“Seminar on Disaster Prevention Management and Recovery Techniques”, at
Thingaha Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw on July 30, 2019 [CITATION Min19 \l 1033 ]. “As part of
its effort to pay special attention to the natural disaster, Myanmar exercises the new
disaster management system. The reason is the rule of law and socio-economic
development included in the country’s objectives is the major expectation. Our
projects should be in conformity with the law. Following the law is important. We
have already had the natural disaster management law. We are working to redraft the
natural disaster management law in order to add the new management systems to the
law and ensure the extensive use of technologies,” Dr. Win Myat Aye added [ CITATION
Min19 \l 1033 ].
As the world keeps changing and Myanmar is also experiencing the climate
change like other nations around the world[ CITATION Min19 \l 1033 ], the danger of
climate change and risk of disasters are threatening to Myanmar. According to Eleven
Media Group source, therefore, the ministry decided to redraft the disaster
management law soon.

7.4 Myanmar National Framework for Community Disaster Resilience

 Myanmar experiences significant disaster related losses, affecting communities
and the local and national economy. Between 1980 and 2015, disasters in Myanmar
caused about 140,000 deaths, affected the lives and livelihoods of more than 5 million
people, and resulted in approximately $5 billion in direct physical losses [ CITATION
DGu14 \l 1033 ]. Modeling analysis indicates that Myanmar experiences an average
annual loss from disasters of $2.1 billion over the long term, equivalent to 3.23% of
the country’s 2014 gross domestic product (GDP)[CITATION Uni15 \l 1033 ].
The purpose of the Myanmar National Framework for Community Disaster
Resilience seeks to achieve people- centered, inclusive, and sustainable socioeconomic
development in the face of disasters triggered by natural hazards and climate change.
The framework articulates a common understanding, proposes a coherent approach,
and identifies potential opportunities for strengthening the resilience of communities
in Myanmar[CITATION Nat15 \l 1033 ]. It includes three sections; 1. Context, 2.
Community Disaster Resilience Framework, 3. Implementation of the community
disaster resilience framework. It is mostly focus on building disaster resilience
communities[ CITATION Nat15 \l 1033 ].
High poverty levels leave the population at risk. Nearly 85% of Myanmar’s
poor live in rural areas, especially the central dry zone and in the Ayeyarwaddy Delta.
Lack of access to early warning and formal social protection also leave them more
vulnerable. Inadequate development is a breeding ground for disaster risk. For
example, lack of agricultural inputs, access to finance and technology, irrigation, and
rural roads undermines agricultural earnings with consequences for people’s increased
vulnerability. Improper development leaves communities at risk by increasing their
exposure and vulnerability to natural hazards. For example, unplanned growth of cities
leads to poor land use, unsafe housing and infrastructure, and growth of informal
settlements[ CITATION Nat15 \l 1033 ].
Therefore, this framework is designed to build more disaster resilience
community while promoting understanding among stakeholders, proposing coherent
approaches and identifying potential opportunities for implementing measures. Under
section two of this framework, it included the related sector to promote and build up;
rural livelihood and village infrastructure, urban development, environmental
conservation and forestry. Financial inclusion and social protection especially targeted
to Ayeyarwaddy delta region and central dry zone of Myanmar where population is
concentrated[ CITATION Nat15 \l 1033 ].
 In addition, the last section of this framework, implementation part, it is
directly related to the section two of it and the government will be trying to carry out
the proposed topic to be able to build more disaster resilience community. The
government formulated different kinds of activities to implement the proposed topic in
section two. Moreover, social security system will be introducted to the community,
utilized as a post-disaster context to reduce the suffering of the affected population,
and enhanced social development programs [ CITATION Nat15 \l 1033 ]to achieve
stronger resilience community too.

7.4 Myanmar Action Plan on Disaster Risk Reduction, 2017 (MAP DRR, 2017)

“Building disaster resilience is not an option. Past events have clearly

demonstrated that far-reaching detrimental impact of disaster on hard-won
development gains,” said by Daw Aung San Su Kyi, State Counsellor [CITATION
Nat17 \l 1033 ].

Myanmar Action Plan on Disaster Risk Reduction, hereafter in use as a

MAPDRR, is a comprehensive and unified plan for disaster risk reduction with
prioritized interventions across Myanmar until 2020. With long-term vision and
considering deep-rooted underlying drivers of disaster risks, it has set overall target for
2030. It aims to provide a basis for result-oriented outcomes. It’s vision is, “Protected
lives, economy, heritage and environment, through inclusive approach, towards
sustainable development in Myanmar[CITATION Nat17 \l 1033 ].

The action plan has identified 32 priority actions under the four pillar, namely
Risk information and awareness, Risk governance, Risk mitigation and Preparedness
for response, rehabilitation and reconstruction. The priority actions aim to strengthen
policy framework and system for long-term risk reduction. Among four pillars,
Preparedness for response, rehabilitation and reconstruction is key for addressing
existing risks[CITATION Nat17 \l 1033 ].The Action plan includes four sections in it and
no wonder, it ends with implementation the action plan.

According to Section 4, implementation the action plan, MAPDRR 2017

steering committee has intended to establish and the members will be permanent
secretaries or Director Generals who are from the lead ministers of 12, work under the
National Disaster Management Committee (NMDC). The institutional arrangement for
implementation of MAPDRR 2017 are as follow.
 UN agencies, International and local NGOs, private sector will be development
partners for this MAPDRR 2017 and play an important role in supporting government-
led implementation of the priority actions[ CITATION Nat17 \l 1033 ]. According to the
Annex A of the action plan, Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Union Ministry of
Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement take the main lead while the rest ministries in
Myanmar are in Natural Disaster Management Committee and Work Committee and
take member roles and same duties to implement the action plan successfully.

7.5 Youth are future assets in Disaster Risk Management system

One of the measures to enhance public awareness of disaster risk management is
to provide educational programs to the public [ CITATION Ste10 \l 1033 ]. There can be
different educational programs to educate the public about disaster preparedness and
management in different. for instance, South East Asian Countries like Singapore
has been doing so. Myanmar on the other hand lacks this kind of educational
programs written in textbooks or set as extracurricular activities.
Numerous western studies have shown the importance of early engagement of
young people in planning and preparedness efforts for disasters [ CITATION Ami17 \l
1033 ]. In light of the recent tragedies which involved school children globally
together with other natural and man-made disasters around the world, it seems that
the current educational approach is not enough and additional education in
emergency and disaster management is undeniably necessary [ CITATION Ron03 \l 1033
]. Young people not only need to understand the nature of society's response to
 disasters or terrorist attacks, but also how to react to reduce the risks for a disastrous
event[ CITATION Ami17 \l 1033 ].
In this perspective, theoretical knowledge is not enough and practical approach
should be included [ CITATION Ren10 \l 1033 ]. Young people should be educated in a
way that offers them adjusted knowledge and develops their capacity for crisis
management and preparedness and ensure their readiness for future emergencies.
Although youth are considered as a risk group in a disaster due to the fact that they
may not know how to deal with it [ CITATION Kev15 \l 1033 ] , an educational initiative
may make them an important resource for the future emergency preparedness.

8. Conceptual Framework

Theory and Concept

Theoretical concepts will be used to understand how the lack of information

and preparations of environmental disasters have impacts on the citizens - what kind
of difficulties they have to face after the disaster, physical and mental damage they
get, and the unexpected death of friends and families and the loss of properties.
Youth's suggestions and commitment to participate in DRM will also be explored
through the conceptual theories. Such kind of youth's perspectives will support in
making the national plans and improvement over DRM, which is the best solution and
action for disastrous situations of the country other than asking for donations
individually, actually activate. 
9. Methodology

In this research we aim to study the following areas:

    Context of Disaster Risk Management in Myanmar

    Perspectives and awareness of Youths on DRM
  Myanmar Government’s policies and actions related to DRM

Articles and case studies will be reviewing which will enable us to give us a picture
of all the contexts, disasters and DRM activities the government is implementing. As a
group research, we will be divided into different groups in doing the research.
Questionnaires made according to our objectives will be asked to youths from
different universities and we will be using qualitative approach in conducting the
research.

9.1 Research Design and Approaches

The research design that will be used in this specific research is Non/Pre-
Experimental Design, as we would like to study the effects of Myanmar Government
DRM systems on the youths from an exploratory approach.
 9.2 Roles of Researchers 

Each student in the class will participate as researchers and we aim for each
student to interview two to three university students so that we can reach our target
key informants, which is 100-150 university students. As we will conduct the research
in qualitative approach, we will be making a conversation and collect the data through
interviewing instead of making the university students to fill up a survey. We have
prepared altogether 20 questionnaires and all the students who will be working as
researchers participated in creating the questionnaires.  As we aim to do the interview
at different universities in Yangon, smaller groups will be divided to do research with
the same questionnaire. There will also be a separate report group which will be
responsible for leading the paper writing

9.3 Scope and Limitation of the Study

 The scope area of the study is the universities in Yangon - University of Computer
Studies, University of Economics, University of Medicine 2, National University of Art and
Culture, and Yangon University of Education.
 We will be collecting data from 100-150 students in the age range of 16-25 from
different universities.
 The limitation is only to figure out how much knowledge does the students have on
RDM and the government’s responsibilities and actions on RDM.
 Our assumption is to analyse the awareness and perceptive of youth on Myanmar
Disaster Risk Management system and advocate the government to insert emergency and
disaster management education in the curriculum.
9.4 Location Map

9.5 Data collection Techniques

(1) Key informant interviews- our research will be mainly conducted using
questionnaires and interview university students within Yangon aging from 16-
25 as a primary data collection method to measure and find out the awareness
and knowledge on the policies and activities related to DRM of Myanmar
Government. When we interview the university students, we will be
interviewing students from public and private universities such as BA/BSc
students, medical students and technological students as we believe students
from different backgrounds will have different knowledge and perspective on
Myanmar Government DRM systems. Total of 100-150 key informants will be
interviewed during the research.

(2) Secondary Data Sources- news articles, case studies, reports, books and
journals will also be used to get key information for the research.
References
(IPCC), T. I. (June, 2012). Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate
Change Adaptation. ENGLAND: Cambridge University Press, The Edinburgh Building,
Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge CB2 8RU.

Akeyo, S. O. (2010, December 9). Youth Involvement in disaster management. Retrieved from
https://ssrn.com/abstract=1728425

D. Guha-Sapir, R. B. (2014). EM-DAT: The CRED/OFDA International Disasters Database. Brussels,

Belgium: Université catholique de Louvain.

Eleven Media Group. ( 2019, July 31). Retrieved from Eleven Media Group:
https://elevenmyanmar.com/news/ministry-redrafts-the-natural-disaster-management-law

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. (2019). Retrieved from
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies:
https://www.ifrc.org/en/what-we-do/disaster-management/about-disasters/what-is-a-
disaster/

Inthujan, S. (2018, November 10). Quora. Retrieved from Question-Quora:

https://www.quora.com/What-are-students-roles-in-disaster-management

Kevin R Ronan, A. E. (2015). Disaster preparedness for children and families: a critical review.

Khorram-Manesh, A. (2017, January 5). US National Library of Medicine, . Retrieved from National
Institute of Health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5316128/

(2017). Myanamr Action Plan on Disaster Risk reducation. Nay Pyi Daw: National Disaster
management Comittee.

(2013). Myanmar National Disaster Management Law. Nay Pyi Taw: The Republic of the Union of
Myanmar.

NCDM, N. C. (2015). The Myanmar National Framework for Community Disaster Resilience. Nay Pyi
Taw: Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement.

Nirupama, N. (2013). Springer Link. Retrieved from Encyclopedia of Natural Hazards, Encyclopedia of
Earth Sciences Series.: https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-1-
4020-4399-4_300

Prevention Web. (2014). Retrieved from

https://nidm.gov.in/easindia2014/err/pdf/country_profile/Myanmar.pdf

Rendy Borum, D. G. (2010). What can be done about school shooting? Educational researcher.

Ronan KR, J. D. (2003). Hazard education for youth.

Smith, K. a. (2009). Environmental Hazards: Assessing Risk and Reducing Disaster. London: Routledge.

The World Bank. (2019, September 23). Retrieved from

https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/disasterriskmanagement/overview

UN, U. N. (2015). Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction.

UNDRR, U. N. (2017, Feburary 2). Prevention Wedb. Retrieved from Terminology:

https://www.preventionweb.net/terminology/view/476
Annex- I

Questionnaire

1. How much secure do you think you are by knowing the awareness of Disaster Risk
Management?
2. What kinds of systems or policies or laws are there in Myanmar related to Disaster
Risk Management?
3. If Myanmar has a good Disaster Risk Management system, what kind of developments
can Myanmar achieve in the future?
4. If young people do not have knowledge on Disaster Risk Management system, what
kind of consequences can we encounter?
5. How is DRM related to youths?
6. What is Myanmar Government implementing related to Disaster Risk Management?
7. How did you survive any disaster you have ever encountered in your life? Or if you
ever will encounter in the future, what will you do?
8. How do you understand DRM?
9. Why are disasters occurring all the time?
10. If you have awareness related to DRM, where and how did you learn it?
11. If you are aware of DRM, what kind of advantages will you have more than life
security?
12. Do you think DRM is important? Why?
13. By having awareness on DRM, how many percentage of damage can we reduce?
14. If youths do not have awareness on DRM, how much will it affect the country?
15. Which department is mainly responsible for DRM?
16. Do you think schools and universities should teach about DRM? Why?
17. What kind of advantages or disadvantages can the society have by knowing DRM?
18. What kind of factors have an influence on the youths’ perspective and awareness on
MDRM?
19. How does youth’s participation in DRM help their environment?
20. By actively participating in DRM, how can youths influence their own future?