site.btaDisaster Response Should Lay More Emphasis on Prevention than Remedy, Deputy PM Donchev Says

Disaster Response Should Lay More Emphasis on Prevention than Remedy, Deputy PM Donchev Says


Sofia, February 24 (BTA) - Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav
Donchev said on Tuesday that disaster response should lay more
emphasis on prevention than remedy. This will make it possible
to reduce the loss of human lives and the damage done to
property, Donchev said, speaking at a discussion on the role of
the government and businesses in protecting private property
from disasters.

Between 2010 and 2014, the government spent 371 million leva on
mitigating the effects of natural disasters, including 250
million leva on urgent repairs, he said. The model should be
changed in favour of prevention, he urged.

International practice shows that disaster-related risks to
private property can be addressed by compulsory insurance or by
catastrophe pools. Both models have disadvantages, but both of
them are better than what we have in Bulgaria, Donchev said,
arguing that one of these two options should be chosen in
Bulgaria. He warned that if the government keeps supporting
private property owners affected by disasters, it may find
itself giving money for damage caused by aging, not disaster.

Mother Nature has inflicted huge damage on property and
infrastructure in recent years, Donchev said. The
Interdepartmental Commission on Reconstruction and Assistance
has received requests for 450 million leva in disaster relief
aid, but the actual damage is probably twice as much, he said.

Large costs make damage prevention difficult. For example, it
takes between half a million and 15 million leva to stabilize a
landslide-prone site, Donchev said.