Disaster Risk Reduction

in Singapore
Status Report 2020
 Disaster Risk Reduction
in Singapore
Status Report 2020

ADPC Editorial Team

Aslam Perwaiz
Janne Parviainen
Pannawadee Somboon
Ariela Mcdonald

UNDRR Review Team

Animesh Kumar
Timothy Wilcox
Iria Touzon Calle
Omar Amach

Cover photo: lifeforstock/ Freepik.com

Layout and design: Lakkhana Tasaka
 About this report

The disaster risk reduction (DRR) status report provides a snapshot of the state of
DRR in Singapore under the four priorities of the Sendai Framework for Disaster
Risk Reduction 2015-2030. It also highlights progress and challenges associated
with ensuring coherence among the key global frameworks at the national level;
and makes recommendations for strengthening overall disaster risk management
(DRM) governance by government institutions and stakeholders at national and
local levels.

As this report is based on information available as of the end of the year 2019,
an update on the COVID-19 impact, response and recovery using a risk-informed
approach by countries is provided at the beginning of this report. This report has
been prepared by the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) on behalf of
the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) through country
consultations and a desk review of key documents, including legal instruments and
DRR policies, plans, strategies and frameworks, etc.

The report has benefited from inputs by the S. Rajaratnam School of International
Studies (RSIS), Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS), Nanyang Technological
University (NTU) and Mercy Relief of Singapore. The list of people consulted
is enclosed at the end of this report. UNDRR and ADPC also acknowledge the
government, international organizations and stakeholder representatives who
contributed their valuable input and feedback on this report.

This report was made possible by a generous contribution made by the

Government of Australia, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as part of the
Partnership Framework with UNDRR on ‘Supporting Implementation of the Sendai
Framework.’

This report serves as a reference document for the implementation and monitoring
of the Sendai Framework. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions
expressed in this document are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily
represent those of the United Nations, including UNDRR, or its Member States.
The presentation of the material in this report concerning the legal status of any
country or territory or of its authorities or concerning the delimitations of its
frontiers or boundaries, as well as the text and the tables, is intended solely for
statistical or analytical convenience and do not necessarily express a judgment
about the stage reached by a particular country or area in the development
process. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the
information, the document remains open for any corrections in facts, figures and
visuals.

This publication may be freely quoted but acknowledgement of the source is requested.

UNDRR (2020). Disaster Risk Reduction in Singapore: Status Report 2020. Bangkok, Thailand, United Nations Office for Disaster
Risk Reduction (UNDRR), Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Singapore’s Response to COVID-19 and
Disaster Risk Reduction
The first confirmed COVID-19 case in Singapore was reported on January 23, 2020.
Due to the sharp increase in COVID-19 infections in April 2020 safe distancing measures
were considerably intensified to break the trend of increasing local transmission. In view
of a sustained decrease in community transmissions, the Government announced a
three-phased approach to resume activities starting June 2. As community infection rates
remained low and generally stable, Phase 2 commenced on June 19. As Singapore has made
good progress to support a further resumption of activities, the Multi-Ministry Taskforce
(MTF) approved the start Phase 3 along with safe management measures. COVID-19 testing
and contact tracing are continuing to help Singapore mitigate the virus spread and to keep
community transmission low. Strict checks and enforcement actions are still continuing to
ensure that Singapore is safe from the virus.

Real GDP contracted by 5.8 percent in Q3 2020 on a year-on-year basis, following a

contraction of 13.3 percent in Q2 2020. The Government announced several packages of
fiscal support measures amounting to about S$100 billion. The Ministry of Social and
Family Development (MSF) plans to launch the COVID-19 Recovery Grant (CRG) on 18
January 2021 to support lower- to middle-income employees and self-employed persons
(SEPs) who are financially impacted by COVID-19.

The authorities have increased their contigency funds for unforeseen expenditure needs
and also set aside loan capital of S$20 billion to help businesses and individuals facing
cash flow challenges with loan obligations and insurance premium payments. Other
economic resilience measures include support to R&D investment, a national stockpile of
health supplies, and a program on food resilience.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is coordinating the Government’s pandemic response
through the chairmanship of the Homefront Crisis Executive Group (HCEG) by making plans
for scenarios related to the crisis. It has established the new Safe Travel Office to oversee,
operationalise and streamline processes for safe international travel as Singapore gradually
re-opens its borders using science and technology in the fight against COVID-19.

The UNDRR Office in Incheon for Northeast Asia and Global Education and Training Institute
for Disaster Risk Reduction (ONEA and GETI) in partnership with the Singapore Cooperation
Programme (SCP) of MHA has conducted a number of training activities on disaster risk
reduction and the hardcoding of resilience into policy, infrastructure and human behaviour.

Due to the COVID-19 situation and travel restriction, online training courses were organized
during September and October 2020 under the auspices of the Singapore-UNDRR Joint
Training Programme. Drawing lessons from the COVID-19 global pandemic that
demonstrates the ‘new normal’ of interconnected risk, the training provided an overview
of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) 2015-2030, the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement, their interlinkages with
international health regulations, and possible applications to Singapore’s existing policy and
plans. The training also covered Singapore’s whole-of-government approach to integrated
risk management and multi-stakeholder approach to crisis recovery.

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1. Introduction
The Republic of Singapore is a sovereign island city, located in Southeast Asia at the
southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, approximately 137 kilometers north of the Equator. The
main diamond-shaped island is separated from Malaysia by Johor Strait, a narrow channel
which can be crossed by road or rail causeways. In the south, the country is separated from
the Indonesian Riau-Lingga Archipelago by the Singapore Strait. Altogether, it covers a total
land area of 716 square kilometers, comprising over 60 smaller islets as well (JICA, 2015). In
terms of its climate, Singapore is classified as a tropical rainforest region following Köppen’s
climate classification system, thus having no true seasons. However, there are four distinct
monsoonal seasons determined by prevailing wind directions: the Northeast Monsoon
(December to Early March), Inter-monsoon Period (Late March to May), Southwest Monsoon
(June to September) and another Inter-monsoon period from October to November (National
Environment Agency, 2009).

In terms of administration, the small physical size of the country means that it does not
have the traditional national subdivisions of provinces, states, regencies or territories.
Nevertheless, Singapore has been administratively subdivided for the purposes of effective
local administration and urban planning. Following the 1997 Peoples Association Act, nine
Community Development Councils (CDCs) were formed to strengthen social community
bonds and foster social cohesion (People’s Association, 2019). As of now, the CDCs have
been reformed to cover five areas: North East, North West, South East, South West, and the
Central Singapore CDC. These councils follow existing political divisions, each comprising
four to six town councils, or Group Representation Constituencies and Single-member
Constituencies. Additionally, the CDCs are further divided into fiftyfive urban planning
subdivisions based on the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) Master Plans which were
first formulated in 1958 (Urban Redevelopment Authority, 2019). While not being used for
administrative purposes, these regions are necessary for managing resilient and sustainable
urban development at individual plot levels across the main island.

With regards to the economy, Singapore is classified as a high-income nation with the gross
national income exceeding US$ 54,530 per capita as of 2017 (World Bank, 2019). During
the decades after gaining independence, the country rapidly ascended by maintaining an
average of 7.7 percent annual GDP growth since 1965 (World Bank, 2019). Key drivers of
the growth are manufacturing at 22 percent of the GDP (especially electronics and high-
precision engineering), services at 26.2 percent, alongside finance and insurance at 13
percent (Singapore Department of Statistics, 2019). However, between 2017 and 2018 the
growth moderated from 3.9 percent to 3.2 percent following decrease in the expansion of
manufacturing and services, while domestic demand weakened (ARIC, 2019).

Despite Singapore being located within the world’s most disaster-prone region, positioned
at the border of the Pacific Ring of Fire, the risks are low as indicated in the WorldRiskReport
2019, which ranked Singapore at 160th (classified as very low risk), among 180 countries
assessed, with associated sub-ranking including vulnerability, lack of coping capacities and
lack of adaptive capacity at very low level (Bündnis Entwicklung Hilft, 2019). There have been
no recorded events that have caused a significant number of deaths or damage. Earthquake
risks are minuscule, large-scale tsunami impacts are unlikely (there are no significant impacts
found in historical recrods), and the latest moderate landslide occurred in 2007 causing
no fatalities (JICA, 2015). However, given the monsoonal climate, the risk of flooding is
moderate, and inundation has impaired infrastructure, such as in the case of 2010 – 2011

DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN SINGAPORE | STATUS REPORT 2020 5

flooding when unusually high precipitation damaged malls and underground parking
garages. Future sea level rise is also likely to cause challenges to the low-lying island
nation, and the risk of epidemics (such as the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS
outbreak of 2003) alongside anthropogenic hazards continue to pose threats to the people,
economy and infrastructure. As a highly industrialized and densely populated country,
industrial-related disasters are one of primary risks to Singapore. Industrial hazards,
essentially leakage of hazardous substances during transport or throughout the
manufacturing process, and its proceeding consequences including water contamination,
air pollution, fires and explosion, could cause health risk and threat to lives of industrial
workers and the public, as well as massive physical damage to infrastructure.

1.1 Demographic Characteristics

According to the Singapore Department of Statistics, the population of Singapore has
surpassed 5,703,600 people in 2019, of which the largest share are of working age
populations aged 20 to 64 years (2,631,300) (Singapore Department of Statistics, 2019). In
this context, it should be noted that immigration has historically been a major factor
influencing demographics – as of June 2017, permanent and non-permanent resident
foreigners comprised 39 percent of the total population (Gee & Chao, 2018). Thus, it is a
multicultural, multi-ethnic nation wherein ethnic Chinese (76.6 percent of the population),
Malay (15.1 percent) and Indian groups (7.4 percent) had the largest representation as of
2014 (Singapore Department of Statistics & MoHA, 2014).

Given that the city-state has no natural resources, its population has always been
the country’s cornerstone in development and growth. In recognition of this fact, the
government has directed substantial investments to human capital, health and education,
which have allowed the country to capture its first demographic dividend (Gee, et al., 2018).
However, current projections estimate that if the fertility rates in the country remain at
current levels, the rapidly aging population will tip the bascule towards a population structure
characterized by high dependencies. The old-age dependency will increase by more than
ten times to 91 elder Singaporeans per every 100 working age populations by 2080, which
effectively could reverse the demographic dividend and drag the annual GDP capita growth
downwards by 1.5 percent between 2011 and 2060 (Gee, et al., 2018). This could be mitigated
by social risk-pooling (to protect the elderly from untimely health shocks or unemployment
exceeding individual resource capacities), taxation-based financing, supported by
immigration (Gee, et al., 2018).

Still, thus far the country has witnessed stellar development, due to which Singapore is
positioned 9th out of 189 measured countries and territories with a HDI value of 0.935 in
2018 (UNDP, 2019). However, the HDI value masks levels of inequalities within its all three
dimensions (long and healthy life, access to knowledge and standard of living). When
Singapore’s value is discounted for inequality, it falls to 0.810, representing a loss of 13.3
percent (UNDP, 2019). This represents inequities in the distribution of wealth, as well as
in the access to opportunities and services. Oxfam rated Singapore among the lowest 10
countries ranked in terms of their efforts targeted to reduce inequality due to low public
social spending, wherein the budgets for education, health and social protection combined
are behind South Korea and Thailand (Oxfam, 2018). Also, there are no equal pay or non-
discrimination laws for women in work force, no minimum wage apart from cleaners and
security guards (Oxfam, 2018). If considering the gender pay gap, according to the Ministry
of Manpower, women in Singapore were paid 9 percent less than men in 2017 (Ministry

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of Manpower, 2019). The starkest differences are found in the highest-paid fields: men in
administration and budgeting & finance were paid 10-20 percent more than women on
average (on a scale measuring women’s 15 top occupations) and on the scale for 15 top
occupations for men, male CEOs and engineers got paid 20-40 percent over women (Ministry
of Manpower, 2019). Women continue to be paid more on lowly-paid fields only, and lack
representation in administration.

Bridging the gender gap in labour forces is crucial towards inclusive growth, as women are
compelled to take domestic unpaid work and face time constraints to engage in full-time
job and pursue professional endeavours (Nair, 2019). Thus, much remains to be done in
terms of improving gender balances on high-paying fields to mitigate gender imbalances
and to improve equity in opportunities available for women. Furthermore, investing in social
wellbeing, especially given the looming reversal of the demographic dividend is required to
expand social support and health services to carry the weight of the increasing numbers of
elderly populations.

1.2 Economic Impacts of Disasters

Historically, Singapore has been relatively sheltered from the impact of large-scale disasters,
due to which economic impact records about disaster-related caused damages and losses
are sparse. For example, the Em-Dat database only returns four epidemics when data
is disaggregated based on natural hazards, costs of which have not been measured. Still,
flooding and storm hazards have imposed a strain on the economy. In the past, December
1969 flooding rendered 75 percent of the country submerged in water, causing damages
of over US$ 11 million when taking inflation into account (Kennedy, 2015). A similar event
in 1978 caused the flood waters to reach 2 meters in some areas, triggered numerous
landslides in Telok Blangah, York Hill, Mount Faber, and caused damages exceeding US$
16 million. Since 1970s, though, significant improvements made to urban planning have
rendered much of the flooding concerns obsolete.

Figure 1. Reduction in flood-prone areas vis-á-vis rate of urban development between 1989 and 2013 (Tortajada & Joshi, 2013).

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Indeed, much of the damages related to hydrometeorological hazards can now be avoided
due to significant investments made into sewerage expansion, drainage projects and
sustainable public planning. Thus, the flood prone areas in the country have decreased by
more than 95 percent despite rapid urbanization, now to less than 30.5 hectares (figure
1). Since 1973, more than US$ 2 billion has been used to support drainage infrastructure,
including flood alleviation projects in Marina Barrage, where seven pumps continue to flush
out excess water at rate of 40 cubic meters per second (Koh, 2019). However, unusual
events may still have spatially concentrated impacts. In the case of the June 2010 flooding
caused by heavy rainfall (100 mm within a timespan of 2 hours) 100 shops were flooded
along the Orchard Road, leading to over US$ 17 million in insurance claims (Chow, 2018).
The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic of 2003 had economic impacts
as well. Visitor arrivals and hotel occupancies plummeted rapidly, revenues at retail shops
and restaurants decreased and the stock prices fell, resulting in the contraction of the
economy by 4.2 percent during the year (Chew, 2019). The government also had to release
nearly a US$ 170 million relief package to compensate the losses.

In recognition of the harmful potential of hydrometeorological hazards, future costs must

be considered here as well given the threats posed by climate change. While very few
comprehensive studies dedicated to exploring the tangible impacts of sea-level rise and
adverse weather to the economy of Singapore, some general assumptions can be drawn
from existing literature. As a low-lying country, it is estimated to be severely impacted by
sea-level rise which requires significant investments to flood barriers and embankments to
protect critical infrastructure. Current solutions are immensely effective, such as the ‘source-
pathway-receptor’ approach (figure 2) intended to address flood pathways, improved drains
and on-site detentions in areas where floods may occur (Government of Singapore, 2015).
Yet, costs of protecting the country from the projected rise of 1 meter by 2100, adverse
weather and other impacts of climate change may exceed than US$ 73 billion according to
the Prime Minister in 2019 (Mohan, 2019; World Economic Forum , 2019). Additionally, as an
import-dependent country where over 90 percent of the food supply is brought in, climate
change could potentially cause flactuation in food supply and pricing, mitigation of which
requires research and investments to increase the capacity to support self-sustainability
(Government of Singapore, 2015).

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 Figure 2. Source-pathway-receptor flood mitigation approach (Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, 2016)

1.3 Social Impacts of Disasters

Alongside the economy, disasters always have impact on human wellbeing, health,
prevalence of poverty, diseases and psychological issues. They may also impair access to
services such as healthcare provision or schooling especially in the more rural or remote
regions of the world. In Singapore, such risks are relatively low, and the disasters have
caused no significant casualties (apart from the 2003 SARS epidemic). Floods in the past
have been relatively low-impact: only 8 casualties were reported during the 1978 floods
which were among the most serious ever to affect the country (Chow, et al., 2016). Despite
of the fact that large-scale impacts are relatively uncommon to Singapore, the potential
impacts disasters may have on the populace cannot be ignored.

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For example, the country is situated in a region where vector-borne diseases are endemic,
and where dengue – among others – are observed during the warmer months of the
year (National Climate Change Secretariat, 2019). Moreover, it should be noted that given
the high rate of urbanization, the hot and humid conditions render the peoples of the
city-state vulnerable to heat stress due to infrastructure and replacement of natural land
cover which retain (or produce) heat (National Climate Change Secretariat, 2019). Thus,
especially the children and the elderly are more vulnerable to the impacts of adverse weather
and diseases which may occur sporadically. Workers can also be more exposed to heat
stress, and climate change is likely to affect work productivity given the tropical conditions
wherein workers exposed to the environment (such as construction workers) are at higher
risk (WHS Council, 2019).

The outbreak of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003 is a good
illustration of the widespread impacts which epidemics and pandemics may have. Across
a period of few months, the epidemic spread to 238 people, causing significant fear and
stress among the population following quarantines and stringent control measures to
prevent further spread of the disease (Chew, 2019). Also, given the economic contraction,
numerous people lost their employment.

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2. Disaster Risk Profile
2.1 Hazards and Climate Change
As mentioned before, Singapore is located in the peripheries of the Pacific Ring of Fire, thus
being exposed to the potential impacts of earthquakes (unlikely as they may be), tsunamis
and potential ripple-effects of distant volcanic eruptions. The country is also affected by
droughts, habitual flood cycles, inundation, seasonal heavy rainfall and the impacts of
storms, even if not to a catastrophic extent. Epidemics are also a concern, as illustrated
by the SARS outbreak and the persisting prevalence of vector-borne diseases. Against
this background, this section intends to evaluate the characteristics of some of the most
pressing hazards occurring in the country and their potential impacts vis-à-vis the
exacerbating effects of climate change in the future.

Despite being located on a relatively stable part of the Eurasian plate, Singapore’s distance
from the Sumatra subduction zone is only about 400 kilometers, due to which large
tremors can sometimes be felt in the city as was the case during the 2007 Bengkulu
earthquake (Dabral, 2015; Megawati, et al., 2004). Given that the level of damage caused by
an earthquake to infrastructure is determined by the wave frequency, type and resistance
of the building, the potential damages caused by earthquakes cannot be ruled out
altogether. The most intense shaking often occurs on quaternary marine clay deposits
and reclaimed land, often in the aftermath of distant earthquakes exceeding level 8 on a
moment magnitude scale (Megawati, et al., 2004).

In terms of more frequent hazards, flooding is a definite concern for a low-lying island nation.
However, the impacts have high spatial variability, often determined by the proximity from
the ocean or present river systems, alongside the effectiveness of installed flood mitigation
measures (figure 3). Approximately 30 percent of the country is less than 5 meters above
the sea-level, thus rendering one third of Singapore exposed to high tides and pluvial
flooding. Often associated with high precipitation (or seismic activity), minor and shallow
landslides have occurred in the country (however, there are very few slides exceeding 10
meters in height recorded in the past) (Toll, 2001). Slopes with angles more than 27 degrees
are more likely to fail, especially during periods when daily rainfall exceeds 15-20 mm over a
period of up to 6 days or more (Toll, 2001).

Droughts are also a severe concern for Singapore, not only due to its dependency on
imported food (price and availability of which may fluctuate depending on the harvest
season) but also due to the fact that the availability of water may be compromised during
severe drought events. While the country’s adaptive capacity remains high following water
retention facilities, desalination plants and water recycling, 60 percent of the country’s water
remains to be imported from Johor in Malaysia (Chuah, et al., 2018). While the current
agreement covering sales of water between the two countries will expire only in 2061,
droughts and sea water intrusion may compromise water availability at the Johor site due to
its exposure to regional hazards. Given these concerns, it has been suggested that droughts
are indeed a greater threat to Singapore’s sustainability and development rather than
flooding (Biswas, 2012).

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Additionally, infectious diseases continue to cause problems to Singapore. Although
preparedness for infectious diseases has been significantly improved since 2003, epidemics
continue to form. Influenza is a pandemic of particulate concern as it causes major acute
respiratory infection. Most recent events include the H1N1 influenza of 2009, and the
outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease in 2008. On 27th of August in 2016, a case of
locally acquired ZIKV (Zika virus) infection was also identified in the country, and more than
200 cases were further detected within a week (Lee, 2017). There is also a need to manage
prevalent endemic diseases including dengue. Recently, the Gravitrap surveillance system
was used to monitor the Aedes aegypti adult mosquito population, as it was identified
as the primary vector for the transmission, and detect breeding habitats to implement
effective dengue prevention (National Environment Agency, 2019).

Figure 3. Areas exposed to flooding (highlighted in blue) in Singapore (PUB, 2019)

In this context, the exacerbating effect of climate change to many hydrometeorological

hazards and diseases must be acknowledged. According to the Centre for Climate Research
Singapore, the daily mean temperature could increase up to 4.6 degrees Celsius by the end
of the century, and the country could experience significantly worse and more frequent
rainfall events (National Climate Change Secretariat, 2019). Flooding could also be worsened
by rising sea levels and rising temperatures may contribute to decreasing water supplies,
biodiversity and greenery (National Climate Change Secretariat, 2019). Despite the current
low vulnerability to flood following exemplary drainage management, future vulnerabilities
may still increase due to increasing physical exposure, and because of various demographic
sensitives associated with population growth (Chow, et al., 2016) alongside social and
economic stratification of the populace.

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2.2 Exposure
Despite its small size, the infrastructure and population of Singapore are exposed to
hazards to varying degree depending on the local topography, soil conditions, proximity
to rivers and the ocean among other factors. Figure 3. already highlighted some of the
flooding hotspots in the country, and in terms of earthquakes, it was mentioned that
most severe damages due to seismic activity are likely to occur on reclaimed land and on
quaternary marine clay deposits. Exposure to diseases also remains relatively high given
the population expansion and tropical conditions. Additionally, it has been suggested that
increasing rates of enteric fevers and tuberculosis correlates with numbers of migrants and
travellers entering the country (Sadarangani, et al., 2017). On the other hand, exposure to
vector-borne diseases, including Zika, dengue and chikungunya, is largely correlated with
living and working conditions; the rates are higher among migrants in the construction
industry (Sadarangani, et al., 2017).

Much of the critical infrastructure and industrial parks are also exposed to the impacts of
hazards, mainly heavy winds and flooding (figure 4). Similarly, primary road access and
rail infrastructure are equally exposed to rising sea levels in many areas of the island, thus
rendering the country’s economy vulnerable and exposed to future impacts of flooding
and adverse weather. To lessen existing risks, all road and rail infrastructure undergo
regular inspections by engineers, and flood barriers have been installed across the country
wherever deemed necessary (Government of Singapore, 2015). Additionally, two-thirds of
the land area is used as water catchment, wherein rainwater that falls will be collected
through a network of canals, drains and rivers and directed out to 17 reservoirs (PUB, 2019).

However, given the complex interconnectedness of modern infrastructure systems, failure

of one component can result in cascading collapse in other systems that cluster across
these networks (Steve, et al., 2015). Thus, protective measures to improve resiliency must
consider not only these linkages between interconnected facilities (such as hospitals or flood
pumps relying on electrical grid) which may be compromised by hazards or terrorism, but
also their reliance on the internet. While Singapore is ranking high on elaborate cybersecurity
strategies, it is not immune to cyber-attacks. In 2018, its healthcare institutions were
compromised during which information of about 1.5 million patients were stolen, which
facilitated the formation of the Cybersecurity Act to strengthen critical infrastructure
(Marsh & McLennan, 2019). Despite such measures, the country is still increasingly exposed
target to malicious activity. In the event where attacks penetrate increasingly connected
power systems to bring them down, infiltrates airports or – as was the case in 2018 –
compromises healthcare, cyber-attacks may have catastrophic consequences to a highly-
developed nation which integrates most of its functions into online systems (Deloitte, 2016).
Thus, disaster managers must be increasingly aware about the role of protected internet and
connectivity as functions of resiliency of smart cities.

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 Figure 4. Distribution of Industrial parks in Singapore (JICA, 2015)

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2.3 Socio-Economic Vulnerability
It is also important to consider socio-economic vulnerability in the context of hazards
and disasters, given the fact that their worst impacts are often distributed along the
socio-cultural or economic boundaries of individuals and households. Worsened by
discrimination based on ethnicity, gender or marginalization, the access to opportunities,
schooling or employment is often determined by hierarchies of power and social structures
which determine entitlements – the lines between ‘have and have nots’. In Singapore, a
highly developed nation, were rates of marginalization and gender exclusion are relatively
low compared to many of South East Asian nations, growing gaps in the inequitable
distribution of wealth are among the greatest concerns contributing to vulnerabilities.

While the country has invested in its population significantly, supported by the creation
of the Skills Development Fund in 1979 and the Lifelong Learning Endowment Fund in
2001 to upgrade the skills of workforce and to improve socio-economic mobility through
provision of learning and opportunities, it is still suggested that productivity rates have not
improved, social mobility has declined and the relative quality of life (in comparative terms)
is poor (Lee & Morris, 2016). Individual performance and the meritocratic system have been
viewed to facilitate upward mobility, but in reality, the ability of an individual to improve their
socio-economic status correlates largely with class, ethnicity, gender and education, which
frame one’s treatment (inclusion or exclusion from opportunities, for example) in the society
(Teo, et al., 2018). Thus, disparities have grown in Singapore, wherein low-income classes
have begun to form facing disproportionate economic vulnerabilities as opposed to the
majority of the population (Ministry of Social and Family Development, 2018). These
groups are also more vulnerable to the impacts of disasters due to lack of support networks,
low income or assets which renders them more exposed to external shocks.

However, sometimes vulnerabilities are related to age and disability. Elders have been found
to be more prone to hospitalisation even in normal conditions, and it correlates highly with
income – those residing in public rental housing (as an indicator of socioeconomic status)
were more likely extended support and hospital care (Low, et al., 2018). Thus, in recognition
of the fact that elderly are often more severely affected by epidemics, heat stress and
hazards such as flooding (often due to limited mobility), it can be assumed that the older
generations, especially those with low income and lack of support networks, are more likely
to be vulnerable to impacts of disasters.

2.4 Physical Vulnerability

Manifold of physical vulnerabilities are also present in the low-lying island country due to
large numbers of critical infrastructure and transportation network being exposed to
flooding impacts and adverse weather, especially in the future. Also, the high densities render
the buildings vulnerable to fires, and while fire prevention measures are in place, potential
damages to high-rise buildings can be high.

In consideration of seismic activity, building standards of the city were improved in 2013
to take into account the possible tremors occurring from distant earthquakes. The new
guidelines mandate any building above 20 meters in height to implement structural
improvements in consideration of seismic activity, its probability and wave frequency
(Building and Construction Authority, 2013). Older buildings were also required to undergo

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seismic risk assessments and strengthening if so required – however, there is little evidence
available online about the actual implementation of such measures.

The Public Utilities Board (PUB) is Singapore’s national water agency, responsible over
overseeing and regulating the country’s whole water infrastructure from supply to
conveyance, wastewater discharge and treatment. About half of the total consumption
(about 1.1 billion liters per day) is imported from the Johor River from Malaysia, wherein it is
treated in-situ at PUB managed facilities near the town of Kota Tinggi (Chuah, et al., 2018).
However, the region, despite its reservoir which was constructed in 1992, is vulnerable to
saltwater intrusion during high tides and storms, alongside droughts which may temporarily
compromise this supply (Chuah, et al., 2018). Thus, Singapore is considered a water-stressed
country due to its inability to retain water domestically to support local demand.

Additionally, much of Singapore’s processing industry comprises chemical and energy

companies including Mitsui Chemicals, Clariant, Exxon Mobil, Shell, Petrochemical
Corporation of Singapore and Infineum. Given the high density of settlements and their
proximity to industrial parks and facilities on the Jurong Island (which houses nearly 100
leading petroleum, petrochemicals and specialty chemicals companies), promoting
comprehensive safety and risk management is elemental for the city state to protect its
citizens from anthropogenic hazards (Gob, et al., 2015).

Managing the trade-offs between growth and environmental degradation must also be
carefully considered. While the current cityscape incorporates green roofs, and 50 percent
of the country is covered by green space, future waste generation and increasing need for
land may compromise sustainable development and increase physical vulnerability due to
pollution and compromised natural systems. For example, the city generated 7.7 million
tonnes of waste in 2017 at an average household recycling rate of 21 percent (Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, 2018). Yet, on par with population and economic growth, the amount of
waste generation is projected to increase which may threaten the current capacity to
manage waste in Singapore, unless new options are explored (Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
2018).

2.5 Future Disaster and Climate Risks

As mentioned earlier, climate change will have an exacerbating effect on the impacts of
hydrometeorological hazards from droughts to rainfall and flooding, which may compromise
the safety and wellbeing of people alongside infrastructure in Singapore, despite the wide
range of protective measures which have been installed. It has been projected that the
daily average temperature will increase between 1.4 to 4.6 degrees Celsius towards the
end of the century, the contrast between monsoons will become more pronounced, the
sea level could rise more than 1 meter by 2100, and the impacts of storms may become
more severe (Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, 2016). Thus, worsened
flooding may cause damages to properties and disrupt traffic. Against this background,
the government has identified some primary objectives to increase national resilience.
They include the protection of coasts, managing water resources (and flooding), protecting
biodiversity, strengthening public health as well as safeguarding critical infrastructure
(Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, 2016). However, no detailed or cost
assessments are available to determine the potential sectoral costs of adaptation and
protection measures.

16 DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN SINGAPORE | STATUS REPORT 2020

Additionally, occurrence of flash flooding has already increased, coinciding with localized
storm events, and storms of the recent years have become more intense and frequent
(Chow, et al., 2016). Also, when measured on the Palmer Drought Severity Index, drought
episodes have increased over time, which suggests greater exposure to said hazard (Chuah,
et al., 2018). Similarly, the prevalence of dengue (carried by mosquitoes) has become more
common over time as temperature and rainfall has allowed more prolific breeding seasons
for the insects carrying the disease (as seen in figure 5).

Figure 5. Dengue cases and temperature in Singapore between 1989-2006 (WHO , 2007).

DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN SINGAPORE | STATUS REPORT 2020 17

3. Disaster Risk and Climate Action
Interventions
Today, Singapore is facing the challenges of the 21st century, and is required to uphold its
commitments to the post-2015 development agenda, in recognition of the fact that relative
security of the past is now dwindling in the future. The following chapters provide an
overview of the country’s progress vis-à-vis the mandates of international agreements and
frameworks (Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, Sustainable Development
Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement), highlight some of the key issues relating to their
implementation, and provide suggestions for improving the further mainstreaming of DRR,
CCA and sustainable growth in the country.

Priority 1. Understanding Disaster Risk Analysing, collecting and managing disaster

and climate risk-related data are the cornerstones for achieving a comprehensive
understanding of disasters, by helping in the processes of conducting risk and vulnerability
assessments, in prioritizing investments for resilient development, as well as in supporting
sustainable and risk-informed land use planning. Data should also be categorized as well
as appropriately disaggregated to facilitate disaster trend projections and identification
of impacts to different demographics, and all the information should be accessible to the
public and authorities at all levels, stored within well-managed disaster information
management systems. This would be the first step to facilitate disaster and climate risk
management from a whole-of-society perspective, wherein governments, the private sector,
communities, households and individuals are aware of the risks and their responsibilities in
societal risk management.

In Singapore, the Public Utilities Board is among the most important stakeholders in
managing risk-related information especially in terms of flooding, by maintaining a
comprehensive flood-exposure map and by engaging with building owners to provide their
advice in developing protective measures vis-à-vis up to date hazard information (PUB,
2019). The Singapore Monetary Authority has also funded external stakeholders (Institute
of Catastrophe Risk Management, ICRM) to develop comprehensive risk assessment
mechanism for earthquakes, informed by baseline data from the Singapore National
Inventory to explore the current urban development context, contrasted to secondary data
and open-source software (GIS) (Nanyang Technological University, 2015). The country also
hosts the Earth Observatory of Singapore, which is a regional research center monitoring
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis and climate change in and around Southeast
Asia, leading the change towards safer and sustainable societies (Earth Observatory of
Singapore, 2019).

At the National Level, Singapore Department of Statistics is the main authority collating
baseline data about the population, households, labour and productivity, and the sectors
of industry among others. The agency also maintains an overview of the regional climate
averages, progress made in terms of Sustainable Development Goals and levels of air
pollution, monitored closely through the Telemetric Air Quality Monitoring and Management
System (Singapore Department of Statistics, 2019). Yet, it seems that while these
stand-alone services are advanced and serve their purpose for various practitioners, much
of the hazard and climate change-related data remain fractioned across different
stakeholders. Research conducted under this report has revealed no national, easily
accessible database which would collate all disaster and climate risk related information

18 DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN SINGAPORE | STATUS REPORT 2020

or existing vulnerability and risk assessments, and it remains unclear how the existing
information is utilized tangibly in sectoral development (especially given that much of the
construction is led by the private sector).

Priority 2. Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance to Manage Disaster Risk Given the
small size of the country, Singapore utilizes a somewhat unique system for disaster
management, based on the Whole-of-Government Integrated Risk Management Policy
Framework (WOG-IRM). It incorporates provisions for disaster response, including medical
emergencies and mass fatality management, alongside outlining an integrated approach
to DRR across sectors and ministries. It is intended to provide effective cross-agency
management of crises through closely managed collaboration and communication
structure, characterized by a rigid hierarchy (CFE-DM, 2017). Four key agencies constitute
to the core disaster management structure: The Strategic Planning Office, The Home
front Crisis Ministerial Committee (HCMC), the National Security Coordination Secretariat
and the Ministry of Finance. In the event of a disaster, the HCMC, headed by the Ministry
of Home affairs, leads the strategic incident management (through the Homefront Crisis
Management System, HCMS), and during peacetime, it is the primary policy-making body
related to governing emergencies, safety and security. The HCMC also comprises various
other groups including the Homefront Crisis Executive Group (charge in planning and
managing of all disaster categories which reports to the HCMC), alongside numerous inter-
agency management groups which support coordination across relevant stakeholders
(Lai & Tan, 2013). For implementation of disaster management activities, the Singapore Civil
Defence Force (SCDF) plays a primary role in emergency response, fire safety enforcement,
public projection and community engagement under the direction of Ministry of Home
Affairs (CFE-DM, 2017). The SCDF also operates an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) and
supportive guidelines which integrate Fire Emergency Plan (FEP), In-Place Protection Plan
(IPP) and Arson Prevention Plan (APP). As of now, public buildings are mandated to develop
their own FEPs, but process is underway to mainstream wider ERPs to public development
(SCDF, 2019).

In terms of legislation, no comprehensive disaster management law exists in the country,

only individual laws based on specific events (JICA, 2015). They include the Fire Safety Act
of 1986, Environmental Pollution Control Act, (2002), Civil Defence Act of 1986 and the
Defence Shelter Act of 1997. These are supported by the comprehensive Operation Civil
Emergency (Ops CE) plan, which outlines the national contingency and operations plan
to prepare for an emergency. National Tsunami Response Plan and Infectious Disease
Act have also been implemented. For climate change-related concerns, National Climate
Change Strategy (2012), Climate Change Awareness Programme (2006), Singapore Green
Plan (2012) and the Sustainable Development Blueprint (2009) have all been implemented
to respond to the challenges, supported by the formation of the National Climate Change
Secretariat in 2010, providing coordination at the highest level for domestic and international
policies, plans and action (Naon, 2014). Current initiatives include the Public Sector
Sustainability Plan for 2017-2020, Climate Action Plan (2016) and the establishment of the
Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change to ensure coordinated approach (National
Environment Agency, 2019). The Climate Action plan is especially important, as it comprises
two publications outlining how Singapore intends to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions
and to improve its energy efficiency by 2030, and defines a strategy for climate adaptation
at all levels (Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, 2016). The adaptation strategy
focuses on coastal protection (including restoration of mangrove ecosystems in Pulau
Tekong), managing water resources sustainably, improving biodiversity and greenery,
protecting public health (especially from heat stress and vector-borne diseases) alongside

DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN SINGAPORE | STATUS REPORT 2020 19

improving public infrastructure and its resiliency (Ministry of Environment and Water
Resources, 2016).

Table 1. Singapore’s legislative plans and policies relating to disaster risk management and risk reduction

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN/POLICY SCOPE PURPOSE

Seeks to improve
disaster management,
STRATEGIC PLANNING risk reduction and risk
OFFICE, HCMC, Whole-of-Government awareness at all levels,
NATIONAL SECURITY Integrated Risk incorporates medical
National
COORDINATION Management (WOG- response and other
SECRETARIAT, IRM) Policy Framework relevant measures
MINISTRY OF FINANCE required to manage crisis
and improve emergency
preparedness

Legal framework for

declaring a state of
MINISTRY OF
emergency and to deploy
HOME AFFAIRS
Civil Defence Act (1986) National national service rescuers if
AND RELEVANT
so required to support the
AUTHORITIES
Singapore Civil Defence
Force

Comprehensive framework
NATIONAL CLIMATE intending to improve
CHANGE COMMITTEE, climate change adaptation
National Climate
RELEVANT National efforts across sectors.
Change Strategy (2012)
AUTHORITIES AND Includes provisions
STAKEHOLDERS for urban vulnerability
reduction

Two complementary
publications containing
information about plans
GOVERNMENT OF
to achieve reductions in
SINGAPORE, RELEVANT Climate Action Plan
Whole-of-society greenhouse gas emissions
AUTHORITIES AND 2016
and outlining the strategy
STAKEHOLDERS
to respond to climate
change-related challenges
proactively

Priority 3. Investing in Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience In terms of funding disaster
risk reduction initiatives or climate change adaptation, limited secondary data is available for
the purposes of this report. No detailed studies, research or other material about the exact
functioning of financing disaster governance in Singapore exist online, thus rendering this
assessment incomplete. However, it is clear that funding to ministries is fixed to a percent
of the GDP, falling and rising depending on the country’s revenues. Ministries do plan on a
multi-year basis, but they must recognize the potential fluctuation of their budgets depending
on the wider market conditions (Ministry of Finance, 2019). Yet, the governments analysis
of revenue and expenditure for the financial year of 2019 provides no details about
investing to DRR, CCA, risks mitigation, sustainable development nor to low-carbon
development (Government of Singapore, 2019).

20 DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN SINGAPORE | STATUS REPORT 2020

Despite insufficient online source to review budgetary allocations for DRR, it is fair to
highlight that investing for resilient development, especially in water security and flood
risk reduction is paramount for Singapore. There are a number of initiatives targeting the
improvement of available and accessible clean water through increasing reservoirs and water
retention areas, drainage capacity, and development of structural mitigation for flood control,
which have been integrated into overall architecture of the island. Various projects aim to
create multiple benefits, for example, the construction of the Marina Barrage in 2008, on
the mount of Marina Channel in the southern part of Singapore, as part of a comprehensive
flood control scheme, resulted in the triple benefits of steady water supply, flood control, and
a recreational space for the community. The Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters)
Programme, started in 2006, has also transformed utilitarian drains and canals into attractive
waterways by using green cleansing features and will expand into 100 potential sites until
2030. Another flagship program - NEWater and desalinated water - is expected to meet up to
85 percent of Singapore’s water needs by 2060, thus addressing the long-term issue of water
scarcity in dry weather and enhance water security (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2018).

In term of budgeting for disaster risk management, unlike most nations which have
regular budgetary provisions for potential disaster relief and early recovery purposes, the
Government of Singapore has no annual budgetary allocations for disaster response
due to low risks (Lai & Tan, 2013). However, the government is able to activate budgetary
mechanisms by drawing funding from other sources rapidly in the event of a disaster
to guarantee adequate financial capacity. On preparedness and capacity building, the
Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has been elemental in implementing a range of
preparedness activities for the public, volunteers, as well as trainings and provision of
equipment and technology to strengthen DRM functions of concerned agencies and SCDF
staff (CFE-DM, 2017).

Priority 4. Enhancing Disaster Preparedness for Effective Response to “Build Back Better”
in Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Despite Singapore being relatively sheltered
from the impacts of major hazards, and has experienced very few disasters in the past, the
government has well prepared to respond to catastrophic events by establishing a rigid,
hierarchical framework for operations. The SCDF leads disaster response, operating through
a three-tiered command structure consisting of four Civil Defence Divisions (CDDs). The
CDDs oversee 14 fire stations, providing resources of incident management on the ground.
Satellite Fire Posts have also been established for firefighting purposes, which enable faster
response on site where fire incidents may occur (CFE-DM, 2017). In an event of a major
disaster, the SCDF will activate the Operations Civil Emergency Plan (Ops CE), outlining
roles and responsibilities of all agencies with roles in emergency management. Ops CE is
practiced responding to various scenarios from refinery fires to airplane crashes, fires in
high-rise buildings, hazardous material events, epidemics and building collapses among
others. The public plays an important part in Singapore’s preparedness as well. Public
education covers fire prevention and safety, evacuation, rescue and first aid across various
demographics from children to senior citizens. The long-term objective of public engagement
is to have at least one person in every household educated or trained in emergency
preparedness under this initiative (CFE-DM, 2017). Response also considers the mitigation
of impacts of trauma during and after crises as well as emergencies. The country has also
established Caring Action in Response to an Emergency teams, purpose of which is to
provide psychological and emotional support for the victims, relatives and rescue workers
affected by disaster events (Institute of Mental Health, 2015).

DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN SINGAPORE | STATUS REPORT 2020 21

For effective early warnings, the SCDF operates a Public Warning System (PWS) which is a
network of sirens that have been placed to strategic locations throughout the main island
(SCDF, 2019). It will sound different alarms depending on the event, covering alarms from
natural to man-made hazards, as well as attacks or other messages. The system is also
capable of signalling to all smartphones which have installed the SGSecure mobile app and
are not on silent or vibration mode (SCDF, 2019). Currently, there are 284 omni-directional
sirens located in the populated areas.

Building Back Better considerations in Singapore have not been necessary up to date, given
the low prevalence of catastrophic disasters. Yet, measures have been put to place to
improve the infrastructure vis-à-vis improved knowledge about hazard risks. For example,
the national building codes were revised in 2013 to better accommodate considerations
for seismic risks. Furthermore, following the collapse of the Nicoll Highway in 2004
(titled as the greatest civil engineering disaster of the last decade to occur in the country)
spurred significant improvements to excavation practices (Hansford, 2012). While braced
excavation has always been a feature of transport construction projects in the past, extra
measures were added ever since the incident, including improved, more evenly placed
support struts and beam earth retaining wall systems (Hansford, 2012).

22 DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN SINGAPORE | STATUS REPORT 2020

4. Coherence with Sustainable
Development Goals and the Paris Climate
Agreement
Disaster management, climate change adaptation and sustainable development share
similar characteristics, overlapping strategic objectives and synergies which should be
harmonized across various policies to guarantee maximum efficacy. Separate legislative
provisions, strategies, frameworks and plans targeting DRR, CCA and sustainable
development may create overlapping, redundancies, repeated efforts and thus, wasted
resources. Existing DRM frameworks should be revised in accordance with the post-2015
development agenda to identify how countries could best prioritize and synchronize their
domestic efforts vis-à-vis on-going projects, available funding, risks and vulnerabilities to
achieve the highest potential for holistic disaster risk management. While Singapore has
not had much need to revise its disaster management framework vis-à-vis contemporary
challenges, it is crucial to comprehensively institutionalize climate change adaptation and
risk reduction (with clear provisions of funding) into government’s policy approaches, to be
mainstreamed throughout the sectors of development.

In terms of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), sustainability in planning and growth

has underpinned the country’s policymaking since gaining its independence due to its
small size and dependence on external sources for food, energy and water. Thus,
development has been human-focused with priorities in healthcare, housing and education
and growth has been controlled carefully to avoid disruptions to the natural environment
(Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2018). With its 50-percent green cover, Singapore remains as
one of the 20 most carbon efficient countries in the world, and smart city planning seeks
to develop bottom-up solutions to sustain the current pathway (Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
2018). Yet, numerous challenges are compromising the current objectives to maintain
growth and stability vis-à-vis the pressures of demographic changes, climate stressors and
disaster risks. They include, without limiting to, the aging population, increasing inequities,
limited availability of land, reliance on gas, vulnerability to water and food scarcity as well
as complexities in sustainable waste management (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2018).
Responses to these challenges should be further rooted into policy and the operations of
the private sector to guarantee tangible impacts, but planning is already on a robust
foundation. For example, the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint of 2015 has outlined plans
to maintain green growth, to improve energy efficiency, to protect quality of life and the
environment, as well as to foster community spirit among the citizens. Similarly, the Public
Sector Sustainability Plan for 2017-2020 further strives towards improved efficiency, waste
management, water conservation and adoption of solar technologies in the public sector
(Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, 2017).

Responding to climate-change concerns, Singapore ratified the Paris Agreement alongside

30 other countries on 21st of September in 2016 and has now committed to reduce
emissions by limiting vehicular emissions and from other sources. By July 2015, the targets
were set to reduce emissions intensity by 36 percent by 2030 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs ,
2019). In the 2016 Climate Action Plan, the government recognized the synergies between
the Paris pledge and SDG13 by asserting that emissions must be reduced within all sectors
from industry to transport, power, water and even households (Ministry of Environment and

DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN SINGAPORE | STATUS REPORT 2020 23

Water Resources, 2016). Thus, the government’s aspirations are clearly rooted into planning
for the upcoming decade.

Yet, the scope of disaster considerations remains absent from the climate adaptation
and sustainable development planning. It is rather clear that disasters and emergencies
are considered a separate element of public governance, latter of which are under the
responsibility of the SCDF. However, when facing the mounting threats of worsened
flooding, adverse weather, sea-level rise and other hazards, mainstreaming synergized DRR
and CCA into development planning should be increasingly focused on. Moreover, the
aspirational plans targeted to respond to climate change and sustainable development
concerns, framed as elements of productive industries, should be addressed from a
perspective which seeks transformation to mitigate risks as opposed to focusing on
mere carbon taxation and structural changes when facing the conditions of a risk society,
continuously reproducing and contributing to its already existing risks.

Table 2. Some of the synergies between international agreements and different policies, plans and programmes in Singapore

Policies/programs
Policies/programs with Policies/programs
with potential links
potential links to Sendai with potential links to
Sectoral Aim to the Paris Climate
Framework for Disaster Risk Sustainable Development
Agreement or
Reduction Goals
Environment
Public Sector Sustainability National Climate Change
Plan (2017-2020) Strategy (2012)
National
-
Development
Sustainable Singapore Climate Action Plan
Blueprint (2015) (2016)

Environmental Pollution
Resource Control Act (2002) Climate Action Plan
Climate Action Plan (2016)
Management (2016)
Climate Action Plan (2016)

Whole-of-Government
Integrated Risk Management
Policy Framework Climate Action Plan
Singapore Green Plan (2012)
Disaster and (2016)
Climate Risk Infectious Diseases Act
Sustainable Singapore
Reduction (1977, last revised 2008) National Climate Change
Blueprint (2015)
Strategy (2012)
National Tsunami Response
Plan

Central Provident Fund and

other public support services
Climate Action Plan
Enabling Masterplan (2017-
(2016)
Vulnerability 2021) Enabling Masterplan (2017-
Reduction 2021)
Singapore Green Plan
Climate Action Plan (2016)
(2012)
Sustainable Singapore
Blueprint (2015)

Urban Master Plan (2019) Climate Action Plan

Urban Sustainable Singapore (2016)
Development Sewerage and Drainage Act Blueprint (2015)
(1999) Urban Master Plan 2019

24 DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN SINGAPORE | STATUS REPORT 2020

5. Issues in the Implementation of
Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate
Policy
Policies in Singapore, as in any democracy, originate from peoples’ aspirations represented
through an electorate. Thus, politics and policies cannot be assessed separate from political
goals and prevailing ideologies of the government, and most importantly, the people. Now
that Singapore is facing the challenges of the post-growth period, wherein increasing
pressures such as climate change, inequalities and emerging needs of educated population
(influenced by both the prevailing inherent values of Singapore and globalism) are shaping
development, the political representation must respond in a manner that provides satisfying
policy solutions to the needs of its peoples to maintain their trust. (Loong, Lee, 2016). So
far, the country has unarguably maintained a stellar success in its approach to governance
and policy, at least when measured in economic terms. However, political immobility when
facing evolving and immensely complex ‘wicked problems’ sourcing from increasingly
interconnected systems, environmental stressors and influences penetrating geographical
boundaries can be disastrous to any stable governance, unless it is able to integrate
changing landscape of risks and vulnerabilities arising from anthropogenic or environmental
factors into its policy.

As of now, no clear policy approach (apart from the strategic Climate Action Plan of 2016)
has been implemented to further mainstream and synergize DRR and CCA, and it is not
clear how much money is currently spent (and how future developments will be funded).
Furthermore, policy considerations must explore the options of responding to the challenges
posed by ageing population, slowing population growth, and rising costs alongside declining
productivity growth (Bhaskaran, 2018). Without adjustments and innovation, the country is
unlikely to be able to adapt to the contemporary challenges if the high rates of GDP growth
cannot deliver durable and tangible benefits to its people so that citizens can create value in
a sustained manner in the future as well (Bhaskaran, 2018).

In terms of reducing GHG emissions and to achieve its targets to transform the energy
sector to renewable sources, the government is also facing challenges to implement
their policy approaches due to small size and dense urban landscape which limits the
development of alternative electricity facilities. Singapore lacks conventional geothermal
resources, cannot explore hydroelectric power, and is unable to explore tidal power
generation due to its location; and current nuclear technologies remain to be unsuitable to
be utilized in the country (National Environment Agency, 2019), and is subject for further
study. Approximately 96 percent of the energy in the power sector is sourced from gas, and
apart from aspirational plans and carbon taxing (implemented in 2019) there are no other
clear policy signals to move away from gas reliance (Climate Action Tracker, 2019). While
there are on-going projects to increase solar capacity for electricity generation such as
floating solar farms over water infrastructures and reservoirs (PUB, 2019) and installation
of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on public buildings and properties (Housing &
Development Board, 2019), increasing sustainability of the energy sector and reducing
carbon footprint remains a challenge given the rising demand for electricity output from the
industry and infrastructure sectors.

DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN SINGAPORE | STATUS REPORT 2020 25

6. Stakeholder Analysis
Numerous national level stakeholders play an important part in the management of
emergencies and disasters in Singapore. As explored earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs,
Singapore Civil Defence Force, Ministry of Health, and the Police among other ministries
and agencies are elemental in supporting the government’s activities not only in disaster
response, but preparedness as well. Due to its multi-agency approach, a wide range of
expertise from different fields have been involved in disaster operations in the country, which
benefits from its hierarchical and robust coordination system.

It should also be mentioned that Singapore has sought to build a strong network of bilateral
agreements and relationships throughout Asia and globally. The country is a member of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which is the cornerstone of Singapore’s
foreign policy as a means to support its economic competitiveness, and to provide the
region with a platform wherein key international actors may collaborate on strategic
issues (CFE-DM, 2017). Similarly, the ASEAN Regional Forum is an important for security
dialogue, drawing from its members in the Asia Pacific region. Australia and Singapore also
cooperate on many integral issues relating to trade and security through a bilateral
agreement covering aspects of defence, education, trade and tourism. Similarly, trade between
Singapore and Indonesia in 2015 reached US$ 58 billion, and Singapore is among its top
foreign investors.

Under the ASEAN mechanism, Singapore is a signatory party of the ASEAN Agreement on
Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER), serving as a policy backbone
and platform for cooperation on DRR among ASEAN member states. Through ASEAN, and
other multilateral and bilateral partnerships, Singapore collaborates with countries and
partner agencies on DRR initiatives and policy discourse, including ASEAN Strategic Policy
Dialogue on Disaster Management, ASEAN Senior Executive Programme on Leadership in
Disaster Management, and by providing support to overseas humanitarian assistance and
disaster relief missions through the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF)’s USAR Team, also
known as the SCDF’s Ops Lionheart Team - the first team in the Asia-Pacific region classified
as Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) or the highest classification provided to USAR
Teams by the United Nations (AHA Centre, 2018).

The country is indeed a key strategic nation among the Southeast Asian Nations, and shares
five defence arrangements with Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and United Kingdom,
which are an important mechanism for partnership engagement, intended to support
interoperability between the members’ armed forces through joint exercises. The country
is also a home to approximately 140 non-profit organisations, including the World Bank
(finding solutions to urban development challenges), Worldwide Fund for Nature
(environmental conservation), World Vision (Asia Pacific Headquarters in Singapore) and
Save the Children, also operating its Asia Regional office in the country (CFE-DM, 2017).
The newly established Southeast Asia Disaster Risk Insurance Facility (SEADRIF) is also
domiciled in Singapore, which is an insurance pool intended to provide insurance solutions
to the ASEAN member states to narrow their protection gaps in disaster risk management
(SEADRIF, 2018).

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Community First Responders (CFSs) volunteers are instrumental to supporting the
government on search and rescue operations, relief work as well as reaching out to
communities for skill building on simple first-aid and basic fire-fighting. Necessary
technological hardware and software for CFSs to perform the work is provided by the
government (ASEAN, 2019). A partnership between the SCDF, the Singapore Red Cross
(SRC) and Mercy Relief (RC) has also been formalized to continue building capacity of
community volunteers (SCDF, 2019).

DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN SINGAPORE | STATUS REPORT 2020 27

7. Future Priorities
While Singapore is well prepared for disaster events among the nations of Southeast Asia,
some challenges are still prevalent in the country. This section intends to provide a brief and
concise overview of the most pressing challenges, vis-à-vis recommended priority actions, in
recognition of the fact that issues addressed here do contain a level of subjectivity and may
change from sector to sector.

7.1 Challenges
Due to its small size, Singapore is facing a range of challenges related to high levels of
urbanization and growth of settlements. Among them, loss of natural green spaces and
biodiversity are among the highest concerns, especially when combined to the cascading
impacts of climate change. Lack of space also limits the options for alternative power
generation, thus rendering the country reliant on natural gas to the foreseeable future. This
may compromise the efforts to reduce carbon footprint. However, in this context it should
be acknowledged that Singapore’s contribution to global GHG outputs is marginal,
producing only about 0.1 percent of the global emissions (Ministry of Environment and
Water Resources, 2016).

Another challenge relates to the rapidly ageing population and persisting income inequality
which has risen significantly over the last two decades. The determinate pursuit of economic
neo-liberal policies have been suggested to contribute to the formation of groups with poor
quality of life and high levels of unhappiness following increasing costs of housing and living
combined with descending salaries, a situation which is structural in nature and cannot be
fixed ‘by working hard’ (Lee & Morris, 2016). Most importantly, the lifelong learning aspirations
mainstreamed by the government have not improved productivity, reduced inequality nor
increased social mobility – thus, new challenges require assessing ways which can support
the growth trajectory while acknowledging its gaps, by identifying that well-being cannot be
achieved (or measured) solely by economic growth (Lee & Morris, 2016).

Furthermore, climate change is also likely to significantly exacerbate the impacts of

hydrometeorological hazards in the country. Adverse weather, rising sea-levels and heavy
rainfall are likely to increase the costs of mitigation efforts rapidly in the upcoming decade,
while rising food prices (following regional droughts and crop losses) combined with
decreasing availability of water may constitute to budget strains at the household levels.
All things considered, the economy of Singapore could be reduced drastically given its high
dependency on imports, not to mention concerns over individual health and wellbeing. In
urban conditions, heat absorption will continue to increase heat-stress and related
mortalities, while vector-borne diseases and epidemics are remerging as more threatening
than ever.

Finally, given the rapidly mounting interconnectedness of infrastructure, where much of

the operations of a contemporary society are integrated into online systems, cybersecurity
concerns are becoming increasingly prevalent in the sector of emergency and disaster
management. Cyberattacks which may have the power to compromise electricity production,
healthcare provision or the transport sector have a devastating potential from a systems
perspective, where a fall of a one individual element may compromise the whole, connected
network of interdependent facilities.

28 DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN SINGAPORE | STATUS REPORT 2020

7.2 Priority Issues
Firstly, evidence collated here suggests that emergency management and development
planning (sustainability and reduction of GHGs) are treated as separate issue, and no
synergies exist between various policy pieces. Integrating DRR as a cornerstone of
sustainable and climate resilient development would be elemental given the prevalent
climate-related concerns. Rooting these aspects into policy is also necessary. Currently,
aspirations are expressed in various sectoral and national plans, but comprehensive
mainstreaming of synergised DRR, CCA and sustainable development into policy are yet
to be made. This calls for a national DRR strategy as an overarching framework to address
prevalent hazards and climate-associated risks across all government functionaries and
wide stakeholders in a systematic, holistic and coherent manner, serving as a blueprint for
all toward resilient and risk-informed development. The strategies shall also guide
comprehensive mainstreaming of synergised DRR, CCA and sustainable development in all
sectors and complex interconnectedness of the sectors in the country context.

Also, the lack of dedicated fund to DRM is an issue, despite the fact that there is no need
to maintain a reserve fund for disaster response. Currently, it is unclear how much of the
national government’s budget is spent to DRR and CCA activities, whether prioritizations
are being made, and what are the priority investment sectors. General provisions for key
concerns have been highlighted in many documents (flood vulnerability, water dependency
etc.) but no mentions are made about tangible investment plans. Singapore could also
benefit from comprehensive risk information database, directed to all public planners and
stakeholders in disaster and climate risk management in the country. As of now, while
comprehensive exposure, vulnerability and other risk assessments exist, they are stored
by numerous stakeholders such as the PUB and are seemingly not available to the public.
Compiling this critical information into one national database could significantly improve
other stakeholders’ capacity (such as the private sector) to integrate risk considerations into
private-owned investment such as in construction or land development, and it would ease
external risk assessment and consultation processes.

Despite Singapore’s past success, driven by growth-orientated policy agenda and low social
spending to boost the economy, it seems that this pathway is now closing towards its end.
Given that poverty levels (discussed in relation to employment conditions, social challenges
and living standards) are now deteriorating, inequalities are increasing and now that limited
social mobility is becoming intergenerational, social inclusion should be increasingly adopted
as national priority (Ng, 2015). It is also important that gender equality in employment is
improved by enhancing women’s opportunity to enter or re-enter the workforce through
policy frameworks that reduce gender gaps in education and bridge the current divide in
science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) professionals, while providing attractive
subsidies and incentives to retain women in employment (Nair, 2019).

Increasing the rates of social spending is also elemental to sustain the growing numbers of
elderly and to avoid the adverse impacts of reversed demographic dividend. High levels of
self-sustenance, as well as they may work for a profit-seeking economy, will be impossible
to maintain in a context characterized by increasing costs of living, food, goods and services
(again, a feature of free-market economies) wherein personal resources begin running low
rapidly. An introduction of more inclusive measures common to welfare states shall be
pursued, as anti-welfare policy, after forty successful years, might not adequately respond
to the current social challenges and social stratification. Responding to income inequality

DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN SINGAPORE | STATUS REPORT 2020 29

and rising poverty may entail short and long-term policy actions including introducing a
minimum wage, unemployment insurance, limiting the number of foreign workers, reforming
the education system, as well as reforming the taxation system to include taxation of assets
as well (Smith, et al., 2015).

Given the increasing severity of disasters in the region as a result of changing climate,
close cooperation on DRR should be widened and deepened. As Singapore is dependent on
external supplies, especiallyfood and water - wherein the availability of such commodities
is under greater risk induced by potential regional climate shocks and stressors - prior
arrangements should be established through partnerships to ensure food and water
security in the long run. It is also important that partnership be strengthened to exchange
and promote cross-learning on different DRM approaches and resilience building, as
well as on transboundary risk which require collective efforts of countries in the region
(ASEAN, 2019). The existing platforms such as the Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance
and Disaster Relief (HADR) Coordination Centre (RHCC) which serves as the regional center
to facilitate military-to-military coordination in HADR on foreign military assistance to
support affected countries as well as strengthen regional capacity for HADR shall be
optimized for knowledge sharing and joint exercises (Cook & Chen, 2019).

Building a common understanding on disaster risk of individuals is a key factor for safer
community. In the context of Singapore in which disasters are infrequent, raising awareness
and sensitizing people on impending hazards, for better preparedness and coping with the
impacts would require vigorous efforts (ASEAN, 2019). More collaboration with the private
sector shall be sought, especially on developing innovative solutions to address climate
threats and security issues (ASEAN, 2019).

30 DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN SINGAPORE | STATUS REPORT 2020

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August. 19

DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN SINGAPORE | STATUS REPORT 2020 33

9. List of People/Agencies Met
1 Carol Lee
Executive Director
Mercy Relief
160 Lorong 1 ToaPayoh #01-1568

2 Dr. Alistair D. B. Cook

Coordinator of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief [HADR] Programme, Senior Fellow,
NTS Centre
S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies [RSIS],
Nanyang Technological University
50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798

3 Earth Observatory of Singapore [EOS]

Nanyang Technological University
50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798

34 DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN SINGAPORE | STATUS REPORT 2020