The Kenya National Disaster Operation Centre

The National Disaster Operation Centre (NDOC) was established in 1998 temporarily to coordinate the response to the impacts of the floods caused by the El Nino rains in Kenya which had displaced over half a million people in Kenya.

As the center was winding up, the infamous terrorist bombing of the United States Embassy in Kenya occurred and the centre was called into action to coordinate the response to the emergency. It is during this second call into action that the government saw the importance of this centre in Kenya and adopted it as a permanent department in the Government of Kenya.

The Centre's Mission is: To monitor, co-ordinate response and mobilize resources for response to disaster incidents in the country

The Vision of the NDOC is: To be the leading focal point for disaster management and response in Kenya

The responsibilities of the NDOC include:-

• Coordination at the national level of all disaster management activities before, during and after the disaster
• Ensuring that all personnel and volunteer agencies are informed of the activation of disaster contingency plans
• Translating the decisions of the National Disaster Coordination Committee (NDCC) into action and/or instructions and ensuring that those instructions are transmitted and carried out by the Ministries/Departments to whom they are directed
• Preparing all inventories of resources and assets countrywide Developing a prioritized list of needs for donors to meet shortfalls in relief supplies
• Preparation of evacuation plans, shelter and refugee areas including identification of executing agencies
• Arranging clearance for aircraft, ships as well as customs and visa clearance for overseas relief personnel and agencies
• Preparation of media programs for public information and press briefings at the centre
• Carrying out an annual review, evaluation and validation of national and sectoral disaster mitigation plans with a view of improving their effectiveness and efficiency
• Preparing and issuing a daily situation report (SITREP) to the subscribing ministries/departments