Palestine Monetary Authority held on Tuesday October 25th 2011 in its headquarter in Ramallah a seminar entitled “Strategic Planning for Disaster Risk Reduction”, this comes in the framework of its effort to increase the level of awareness with regard to confronting risks, and maintaining business continuity on the banking sector level. Furthermore, enhancing communication and cooperation between workers in the business continuity domain in the Palestine Monetary Authority, banks and concerned institutions.

Workers in the domain of business continuity from both the Palestine Monetary Authority and the banking sector attended the seminar. Dr. Jalal Al Dabbeek - Head of Seismic Engineering Unit and Urban Planning and Disaster Risk Reduction Centre, Coordinator of the Scientific Centers at Al Najah National University and Deputy Chief for the National Organization for Disaster Risk Reduction- was the lecturer.

Dr. Jihad Khalil Al Wazir - Governor of the PMA – confirmed in his opening speech on the importance and significance of setting strategic plans to manage and reduce risks. Dr. Al-Wazir also called-up for this seminar as a starting point for common cooperation between workers in this domain, in order to improve and enhance the Banking Sector capabilities in confronting various disasters and risks. Moreover, Dr. Al-Wazir confirmed in this context on the establishment of the Business Continuity Unit in the Palestine Monetary Authority, which will follow up this task.

Dr. Al- Dabbeek discussed the disasters’ effects on the facilities, economy and development in Palestine, and its disastrous impact in case of disasters. He indicated the significance of setting comprehensive national plans where the public sector, private sector and the non-governmental organizations should contribute in confronting these challenges. On the other hand, he emphasized the need for improving both the decision maker and the citizen level of awareness with regard to strategic planning for dealing with disasters.

Dr. Al Dabeek represented types, effects, seismic history for earthquakes in Palestine and methods of dealing with earthquakes. He also clarified the allocation of seismic focuses in Palestine and the problems facing the process of confronting earthquakes on the national level. Dr. Al-Dabbeek also confirmed the significance of setting laws and appropriate legislation and mechanisms.Thus, to ensure convenient infrastructure and buildings for dealing with disasters and earthquakes.

Dr. Al- Dabbeek answered the questions of the attendance, and seismic maps were distributed at the end of the seminar.