Activity Report: Themes & Issues >> Administrative System for DRM

14-16 February 2012 (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

From 14 to 16 February 2012, Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) conducted workshop on DRM in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia targeting local government officials. Malaysia's National Security Council (NSC) and ADRC have been prepared for this training since 2009. Some 80 local officials in charge of DRM nationwide as well as NSC and line departments attended the workshop.

The officials from NSC, Malaysian Meteorological Department (MMD) and relevant agencies gave lectures in this training, followed by Training of Trainers in 2010. The attending local officials, who are expected to play a pivotal role in community-based disaster risk management (CBDRM), learned topics such as NSC Directive, flood management, early warning and recovery efforts from tsunami in Malaysia and Japan and had group discussion on CBDRM. The training program drew a lot of interest from the participants and invited active discussion.

The workshop put an end to the training program in Malaysia but it is hoped that capacity building activities of local officials and communities will extend leading to further strengthen disaster resilience of the country.

(2012/2/27 17:40)

27-29 January 2012 (Jakarta, Indonesia)

From 27 to 29 January 2012, Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) conducted Training of Trainers (TOT) for officials in charge of disaster risk management in Jakarta. This is part of a capacity building project in Southeast Asia that ADRC has been engaged in since 2008. Selected BNPB officials joined the TOT in order to serve as lecturers in coming workshop in the provinces.

The program focused on DRR topics such as recovery from disasters, raising public awareness as well as learning effective training skills. Even in a short period, 20 officials had intensive training and prepared for presentation till late at night. The participants made presentations in groups in accordance with their specialties in DRM and improved their understanding and training skills through interactive discussion and evaluation.

The participants of the TOT will conduct in subsequent training at local levels and it is expected that they will be able to facilitate fruitful training activities.

(2012/2/8 17:40)

13-14 December 2011 (Brunei)

ADRC has been implementing web-based GLIDE-associated disaster database development project in ASEAN countries since 2008 with the financial support by Japan ASEAN Integration Fund. The objective of this project is to facilitate all ASEAN countries to develop their own national disaster databases with GLIDE numbers incorporated by training government officials in charge of disaster information in ASEAN countries.

ADRC held operator training for both GLIDE and DesInventar with kind support from National Disaster Management Center (NCDM) and UNISDR at Brunei University.

About 25 government officials from related departments participated in the training and actively exchanged views and opinions for future enhancement of the systems in Brunei.

10 November 2011 (Incheon, Korea)

The ADRC was invited to the International Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction Legislation and Policy as part of the Asian Forum of Legislative Information Affairs (AFOLIA). The Conference was organized by the Ministry of Government Legislation in cooperation with the National emergency Management Agency.

Specifically, the ADRC made a presentation on "Disaster risk reduction legislation and policy in Japan" at Part I "Disaster risk reduction legislation and policy in Korea, China and Japan and cooperative measures" of the Conference. Other participants include representatives from Chinese government, UN and various organizations and universities The Forum was the first of its kind organized by the Ministry of Government Legislation and encompassed many areas, not only disaster risk reduction but many other fields as well. It manifested a strong initiative being taken by Korean Government within Asia.

While an interest in a post HFA (Hyogo Framework for Action) 2005-2015 and a need to establish international disaster response laws (IDRL) were growing, discussion on disaster legislations at the Conference was indeed significant and meaning attempt.

(2011/11/12 13:10)

7-8 November 2011 (Taipei, Taiwan)

 The 2011 International Workshop on Emergency Management was organized by the Ministry of Interior, Government of Taiwan from 7 to 8 November 2011 in Taipei city.

　Ten government officials and specialists on Disaster Emergency Management, including a ADRC's researcher, were invited to the workshop to make presentations and　speeches.　The ADRC explained the importance of business continuity plan (BCP)　in the private sector for the regional resilience while other speakers presented case study on the response and recovery phase of large scale disasters both man-made and natural.

　　About 200 officials, experts participated in the workshop and actively exchanged views and opinions among them, demonstrating their strong interests in disaster risk management.

(2011/11/09 11:30)

31 October -1 November (Jakarta, Indonesia)

This two-day symposium was organized jointly by Government of Indonesia, the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and Harvard University. Under the main theme of "Moving ASEAN Community Forward into 2015 and Beyond", the symposium discussed various issues on the fulfillment of the ASEAN Economic Community that is due on 2015 and the future challenges beyond the date.

Among three substantive sessions organized, the ADRC participated in the Session 2: Moving the ASEAN Community Forward through Strengthening of Regional Corporation: Engendering a Resilient and Harmonious ASEAN whereby making a presentation "Strengthening regional cooperation in times of disaster".

In the outcome document titled"Jakarta Framework on Moving ASEAN Community Forward into 2015 and Beyond", it is mentioned that "the issues of resiliency, especially food security and energy security, as well as disaster management, have been identified as important challenges to be tackled" and "ASEAN's increasing demand for food and energy is even more challenging given the risks of natural disasters, for the fact that Asia is the most disaster prone region in the world."

(2011/11/02 13:10) 

27-28 October 2011 (Jakarta, Indonesia)

ADRC has been involved in a project to promote the "Multi-disciplinary Hazard Reduction from Earthquakes and Volcanoes in Indonesia" since 2009. As part of the project, many universities and research institutions in Japan and Indonesia have conducted research on disaster mitigation. And the international conference that served as the final meeting of this project was held on 27-29 Oct 2011 in Jakarta, Indonesia. At this meeting, participants reported on all their research and results. ADRC presented a "Guidebook for Teachers" as the outcome document of its exploration of ways to promote disaster education and raise disaster awareness, and to promote partnerships between Indonesian and Japanese government agencies and research institutions.

3 - 21 October 2011 (Papua New Guinea, Samoa)

In October 2011, the Asian Disaster Reduction Center visited the Pacific countries, Papua New Guinea and Samoa in order to make interviews at NDMOs and relevant organizations and affected areas of past disasters over their DRM systems and activities. Faced with various disaster risks such as volcano, earthquake and tsunami, and cyclone, both countries have taken proactive measures especially in risk assessment, early warning and public awareness.

On 11 October, International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was observed in Papua New Guinea, hosted by ADRC counterpart, National Disaster Center (NDC), ISDR and UNDP. The event, supported by related agencies and NGOs, turned out to be successful attracting some 500 participants including school children. Also in Samoa, public awareness efforts have been extended in the wake of 2009 tsunami catastrophe.

(2011/12/15 17:40)

27-29 June 2011 (Bangkok, Thailand)

The Expert Group Meeting on Regional Knowledge and Cooperation for Comprehensive Multi-Hazard risk Management in Asia and the Pacific was organized by the United National Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) from 27 to 29 June 2011 at the United national Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand.　The Meeting　was　attended　by　experts　from　many　countries　as　well　as　experts　from　intergovernmental　and　international organizations. Invited by the ESCAP, ADRC also participated in the Meeting.

The Meeting addressed: a) Asia Pacific Gateway on Disaster Risk Reduction and Development; b) Data for Disaster Risk Reduction and Assessment; c) Regional Cooperative Mechanism on Disaster Monitoring and Early Warning, Particularly Drought, and; d) Asia Pacific Disaster Report. Experts discussed in details relevant issues and needs and necessary actions. ADRC stressed the importance of compilation of disaster data, the used of GLIDE (Global Unique Disaster Identifier), sharing of experiences and lessons regarding to specific disasters such as the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami.

Following the above Expert Group Meeting, the UNESCAP Committee was convened from 29 June to 1 July and ADRC also participated in the Committee meeting as an observer. During discussion, a number of countries made mention about ADRC as being relevant to regional cooperation for disaster risk reduction. By showing gratitude to continued cooperation with those countries, ADRC expressed wish to continue to cooperate with them through its activities.

(2011/07/04 13:10)

14-17 March 2011, Yangon, Myanmar

On 14 - 17 March 2011, Relief and Resettlement Department (RRD) of Ministry of Social Welfare of Myanmar, and Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) conducted Training of Trainers (TOT), a part of capacity building program for local government officials on disaster management, which ADRC has conducted since 2008 in ASEAN member countries. In Myanmar, the project was launched in 2010. With the participation of 30 participants including government officials from Yangon, Mandalay and Ayeyarwardy divisions, relevant organizations and NGOs, RRD and ADRC, the TOT covered such topics as early warning, damage & needs assessment, earthquake & tsunami and climatological disaster management followed by town watching and hazard mapping in Yangon suburbs. The participants of this training will then give lectures at coming workshops in the above-mentioned districts targeting local government officials.

Before the opening  of the training, the participants offered silent prayers for the victims of Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake in Japan which occurred on 11 March 2011.

(2011/03/28 17:40)

1-4 March 2011 (Islamabad, Pakistan)

The objective of this Workshop, which is organized jointly by UNESCAP, Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) at SUPARCO, Islamabad, Pakistan, is to develop the capacity to build better resilience to water related disasters as well as for more effective adaptation to climate change through the applications of space technology and flood risk management in Pakistan.

 Space-based technologies increasingly play an important role in disaster risk management as demonstrated by floods in Pakistan and in Thailand. ADRC was invited as an expert by the organizers and made two presentations on "Enhancing　the use of space-based technologies for disaster risk management" focusing on Sentinel Asia and "Community-based disaster risk management" respectively. Participants especially from Pakistan showed great interest in Sentinel Asia and other space-technology related programmes. Also, some participants underscored the importance of community-based disaster risk reduction activities in Pakistan. Space-technologies have been becoming more relevant to and useful for disaster risk management.

ADRC as a focal point for emergency observations of Sentinel Asia and a regional support office of UNSPIDER will continue to contribute to this objective.

(2011/03/04 13:10)

7 January 2011, Nay Phi Taw, Myanmar

On 7 January 2011, Myanmar's Relief and Resettlement Department (RRD), Ministry of Social Welfare and Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) held a preparatory meeting for Training of Trainers under ASEAN Project, Capacity Building of Local Government Officials on Disaster Management in its capital Nay Phi Taw. Around 20 participants from RRD, relevant agencies, NGOs and ADRC discussed training method and topics for effective and efficient implementation of the coming training, which will cover such topics as comprehensive disaster risk management, early warning and emergency response.  

(2011/01/12 17:40)

28 September - 2 October (Padang, Indonesia)

Large-scale inter-plate earthquakes have occurred recurrently in Indonesia, particularly around Sumatra Island, but it has been reported by many experts that such an earthquake is likely to happen off Padang in West Sumatra within thirty years or so.

To prepare for such large-scale earthquakes, it is of urgent need to establish early-warning and transmission system, development of practical technologies for reduction of building vulnerability and community-based disaster risk management. Hence, two day workshop on 29 and 30 September was organised which coincided with one-year commemoration of the Padang Earthquake on 30 September 2009.

The National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), the National Research Institute for Earthquake Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED) and the Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) from Japan, and the Metrological, Climatology and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), the Institute Technology Bandung (ITB) and Andalas University (UNAND) from Indonesia, among others, jointed the workshop.

As a result of discussion, it reached a consensus that future collaboration should focus on three substantive areas, namely early warning for earthquakes, practical technologies for reduction of building vulnerability and community-based disaster risk management.                                                                                         (2010/10/4 13:10)

21-23 September 2010 (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

For three days starting from 21 October 2010, Malaysia's National Security Council (NSC) and Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) conducted a workshop in Kuala Lumpur as part of a community-based disaster risk management project. Nearly 50 people participated from various organizations including NSC, other disaster-related institutions, and municipalities

The workshop started with the opening remarks by NSC Secretary Hon. Datuk Mohamed Thajudeen Abdul and Mr. Ogu Salim bin Omar, Under Secretary of Disaster Management Division, NSC, in which were stated great expectation toward strengthening disaster resilience of communities in the country through this training. Then experts from ADRC, NSC, other relevant agencies and a local NGO gave lectures such as Total Disaster Risk Management, policy and mechanism on Malaysia's disaster management, various disaster risk reduction activities. Followed by the lectures, participants visited Malaysian Meteorological Department and Department of Irrigation and Drainage to learn weather and river monitoring systems and practices.

The participants showed great interests in the lectures with active discussion during the workshop. From now on, municipal and community-level training is scheduled in the country where the participants of this workshop will then give lectures as trainers.

Since 2009 NSC and ADRC have been implementing a project for capacity building of local government officials in Malaysia, which could have synergy effects on this CBDRM activity.

 (2010/10/15 17:40)

15-17 September 2010(Seattle, USA)

This program was jointly organized by Peace Winds America (NPO) and the City of Seattle, and was held from 15-17 October at the Seattle Office of Emergency Management. The program aimed to promote the sharing of experiences and ideas regarding natural disasters and emergency management between local government officials in the US and Japan.

 The Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC), at the request of the organizers, provided help with the coordination of the participating organizations from Japan. Also, ADRC gave a presentation on "Government Coordination" in Japan and facilitated discussions throughout the program.
The participants included Japanese officials from the Ministry of Defense, Osaka Prefecture and the City of Osaka, Hyogo Prefecture and the City of Kobe, and Hiroshima Prefecture and the City of Hiroshima, as well as American representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the City of Seattle, King County, the City of Honolulu, Microsoft, Boeing, and other organizations. The participants gave presentations on their own experiences and the outlook for the future from the viewpoint of those who are doing practical disaster management work on the ground. The Japanese participants were particularly impressed with the collaborative frameworks that have been developed in the US to enable local governments, private companies, and NGOs to work together.
This exchange program is expected to become an annual event and thus is expected to prove highly useful to both US and Japanese local governments long into the future.

(2010/09/18 13:10)

September - October 2010 (Cebu, Davao, and Manila, the Philippines)

From September to October 2010, the Philippines' Office of Civil Defense (OCD) / National Disaster Coordination Council (NDCC) and Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) conducted workshops for capacity building of local government officials in Cebu, Davao and Manila.

These workshops are part of a project which OCD/NDCC and ADRC have been promoting since 2009. Prior to these, training of trainers (TOT) was conducted this March and the ten participants of the TOT then gave lectures at workshops this time.

The workshops in Cebu (16-17 September), Davao (27-28 September) and Manila (7-8 October), with participation of more than 120 officials, covered topics such as scope of newly approved Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Act, contingency planning, incident command system and disaster-specific management like earthquake and tsunami, and typhoon followed by hazard mapping as field activity.

The participants showed great interests in these topics, actively exchanging opinions during lectures. Through town watching in disaster-prone areas, they reassured the importance of raising awareness of local officials and communities.

It is hoped that the experience of this project will be utilized for the capacity development of local government officials in the country.

 (2010/10/15 17:40)

Indonesia, 13-16 July, 2010 

ADRC and Bandan National Penanggulangan Bencana (National Disaster Management Agency, BNPB) have lunched "the Project on Capacity Building of Local Government Officials on Disaster Management."

This project is one of four capacity development projects for the ASEAN member countries that ADRC has been conducting since 2008 and Indonesia is belonging the 3rd year Group composed of Singapore and Myanmar.

Geographically Indonesia is an archipelago situated at a juncture of four tectonic plates where seismic and volcanic activities occur constantly. They make for a high potential and proneness to disasters, including earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. Also, because of topographical and hydro-metrological conditions, the country is subject to disaster such as floods, landslides, forest fires and drought, too. There is thus an urgent need to further strengthen the capacity building of local government officials in charge of disaster management, as they play a critical role in every phase of the disaster management cycle.

On 13-16 July 2010, ADRC and BNPB held a kick off meeting on the project targeting local government officials.

ADRC and BNPB will work together on the implementation of the 20-manth project form 2010 to 2011, starting with the creation of an expert team tasked with the development of training materials.

(2010/07/20 17:30)

Songkla, Thailand, 19-20 July 21, 2010

Thailand's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), Ministry of Interior and Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) organized a workshop targeting  local government officials in its southern province Songkla.

On 19-20 July 2010, a total of 30 local officials gathered at a Songkla Campus of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Academy in the province to take lectures on disaster risk management and countermeasures and visit disaster-prone areas for making hazard maps.

With the lead by experienced Trainers, who are government officials themselves, the workshop brought about active participation in the program which was co-developed by DDPM and ADRC. The participants reassured the importance of both structural and non-structural measures during the activities.

This workshop is part of capacity building program of local government officials for ASEAN countries, under which DDPM and ADRC have prepared since 2009 for further promoting capacity development in the country. Followed by this batch, similar workshops are scheduled in northern and north-eastern provinces this year. 

 (2010/08/05 17:40)

1-2 July 2010, Bangkok, Thailand

The Technical Workshop to develop the Regional Roadmap for Promoting Regional Cooperation on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation was held in Bangkok, Thailand on 1-2 July to discuss and develop the regional roadmap for promoting regional cooperation on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in Asia. The Workshop was organised jointly by UNSIDR, UNESCAP, NEMA of Korea and ADRC. This regional roadmap is planned to be one of the main outocomes of the 4th Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR) to be held in Incheon, Korea, in October this year.

As many as around 50 experts from UN and other international organisations, Government Ministries/Agencies, and INGOs participated in the Workshop. From the ADRC, Mr. Atsushi KORESAWA and Mr. Huy Nguyen participated in the workshop. Also, ADRC facilitated the participation of experts from JICA, the Meteorological Research Institute of Japan's Meteorological Agency, and JAXA.

The experts discussed, inter alia: 1) the conceptual framework for promoting regional cooperation for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in Asia: 2) the objectives of the regional road map, and: 3) the elements of the regional road map. Based on the result of two day discussion, UNISDR in cooperation with other partners will make a first draft of the roadmap which will be further examined at the upcoming IAP meeting in Incheon, Korea on 11-13 August.

The ADRC is expected to play a key role as one of lead agencies at the 4th AMCDRR, and therefore, will continue to take an active part in its preparatory process.

(2010/07/05 13:10)

23-24 June 2010, Nay Phi Taw, Myanmar

Myanmar's Relief and Resettlement Department (RRD) under Ministry of Social Welfare and Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) have launched a program, Capacity Building of Local Government Officials on Disaster Management.

This is one of the four capacity development programs for ASEAN countries that ADRC has been conducting since 2008, including disaster education promotion, utilization of satellite image on disaster management and development of Web-based GLIDE-associated database on natural hazards.

On 23-24 June 2010, RRD and ADRC held a kickoff meeting to discuss implementation of the program. Myanmar, which incurred devastating damages from 2008 Cyclone Nargis, is exposed to various disaster risks such as storms, floods, landslides, earthquakes, tsunami, droughts and fires. Thus it is of urgent need to further strengthen capacity of government officials in charge of disaster management.

RRD and ADRC will cooperatively work for the implementation of the program, starting with setting up an expert team for training materials development.

 (2010/06/30 17:40)

20 May 2010 (Makati City, Philippines)

Atsushi KORESAWA of ADRC attended the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) Partnership Conference held on 20 May 2010 in Makati City, the Philippines.

The ASEAN Committee on Disaster management (ACDM) adopted the AADMER Work Programme at its 15th Meeting in March in Singapore. The AADMER Work Programme is expected to contribute to the resiliency of peoples belonging to the ASEAN community of ten nations. It also contributes to the achievement of the global priorities stipulated in the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA).

At the Conference, the ACDM members explained the ADDMER Work Programme in some details with the intention of gathering support from partners for the implementation of the AADMER Work Programme, particularly Phase 1 (2010-2012) flagship projects. The ADRC was invited as one of those partners.

ADRC has already engaged in the implementation of similar activities both within and outside ASEAN countries and accumulated relevant experiences and expertise. Therefore, the ADRC would be pleased to be involved in some of the ASEAN flagship projects presented in coming years.

( 2010/05/31 13:10)

5-6 May, Singapore

The roundtable on Asian Regionalism was organized by the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, Centre on Asia and Globalization (CAG) at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on 5-6 may at the LKY School in Singapore. Many experts in the fields of energy security, climate change and natural disaster response attended the roundtable from across Asia.

The Asian Disaster Reduction Center had been involved in the preparatory process to some extent, but the organizers invited Mr. Atsushi KORESAWA of the ADRC as one of the discussants in the session "Response to Natural Disasters." He presented why ADRC was established and how ADRC has been conducting its activities as one example of many regional/sub-regional organizations in Asia, especially focusing on its comparative advantages. The head of SAARC Disaster Management Centre in New Delhi and the executive director of the Pacific Disaster Center in Hawaii also participated in the session as discussants.

CSIS will produce a report by reflecting discussions at this forum. It has become certain hat disaster management has been gaining its importance in the context of the non-traditional security areas. However, it has been recognized that there are many disaster management related activities conducted by many different organizations which have some similarities or commonalities and thus some rationalization is required to make them more effective and useful.
ADRC will continue to conduct its activities in good collaboration with other organizations and focus on areas which ADRC has comparative advantages.

Note) 

CAG:  Centre on Asia and Globalisation, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy,   National University of Singapore
CSIS:  Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington

(2010/05/12 13:10)

25-26 March 2010 (Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam)

Vietnam's Central Committee for Flood and Storm Control (CCFSC) and the Asian Disaster Management Center (ADRC) organized a workshop for local government officials in Thua Thin Hue province on 25-26 March 2010. A total of thirty-five officials from the province, the CCFSC and the ADRC participated in the two-day workshop.

As part of ASEAN project Capacity Building of Local Government Officials on Disaster Management, this workshop marked the third one in the country followed by those in Thien Giang and Lao Cai provinces. 

In this workshop, local officials took lectures including institutional and legal framework of provincial disaster risk management, early warning and Japan's experiences based on the subjects lectured in the Training of Trainers (TOT) in June 2009 where the trainers had participated. Owing to the assistance of the CCFSC and provincial officials, the trainers gave lectures in instructive and interactive manners, bringing about active discussion and fruitful feedback.

ADRC hopes that the outcome of this project will be shared in other provinces and contribute to capacity development of local officials on disaster management throughout the country.

Likewise the workshops for local government officials are scheduled in Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand in 2010.

(2010/03/31 17:40)

Thailand and the Philippines
February - March 2010

From late February through early March 2010, the Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) conducted trainings for government officials in charge of disaster management with Thailand's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), and Philippines' Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and National Disaster Coordination Council (NDCC) in Bangkok and Manila respectively. (Photos: Thailand and the Philippines, from above)

The trainings are part of ASEAN cooperation project Capacity Building of Local Government Officials on Disaster Management. ASEAN's national disaster management organizations and the ADRC conduct training for trainers (TOT) and then the trainers give lectures at workshops for local government officials in each country.

During this TOT in Thailand and the Philippines, the participants took lectures on various DRR/DRM topics developed by experts from each country such as the institutional framework of DM system in their countries and disaster-specific issues including flood, tropical storm, earthquake and tsunami. The two trainings drew positive response from the attendants, resulting in active discussion among them over the covered topics and coming workshops. They will give lectures as trainers in subsequent workshops for local officials, which are scheduled in the middle of this year.

(2010/03/08 17:40)

January - February 2010 (Cambodia)

Cambodia's National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) and the Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) conducted a series of workshops for local government officials in charge of disaster management in Kompong Chhnang, Pursat and Kompong Thom provinces from late January to early February 2010. Some 30 local officers at each province, totaling 90, participated in the workshops

 The workshops are part of the ASEAN Capacity Development of Local Government Officials on Disaster Management, which ADRC and disaster management organizations in ASEAN countries have started since 2008. In Cambodia, following Training of Trainers (TOT) in June 2009, the workshops were held by inviting lectures from the 10 local officials from the provinces who participated in the TOT.

Workshop included lectures such as the national disaster management system, information on disaster risks, and total disaster risk management and Town Watching and hazard mapping to increase their expertise on DRR and how to raise public disaster awareness.　

With participants' active discussion and cooperation by NCDM and the local officials, the workshops resulted in success. The outcome of the workshops is expected to be shared with other provinces as well.

(2010/01/25 17:40)

21-22 December 2009 (Luangnamtha, Lao PDR)

The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) of Lao PDR and the Asian Disaster Management Center (ADRC) organized a workshop for local government officials in Luangnamtha province on 21-22 December 2009.  Some thirty officials from line departments of the province participated in the workshop together with three officials from the NDMO and one from ADRC.

This workshop is part of ASEAN project Capacity Building of Local Government Officials on Disaster Management, and the third one in the country followed by the workshops in Vientiane and Bolikhamxay provinces. 

During the two-day workshop, the local officials took lectures on disasters and risks, legal framework of national and provincial disaster risk management, risk assessment and flood management based on the subjects lectured in the Training of Trainers (TOT) in June 2009 where the trainers had participated. Owing to the assistance of NDMO and provincial officials, the trainers gave lectures in instructive and interactive manners, bringing about active discussion and fruitful feedback.

The ADRC hopes that the outcome of this project will be shared in other provinces and contribute to capacity development of local officials on disaster management throughout the country.

Similarly the workshops for local government officials are scheduled in early 2010 in Cambodia and Vietnam as the 1st year group countries in this project.

(2010/01/04 17:40)

13-14 December (Dhaka, Bangladesh)

ADRC actively participated in the International Forum on Tornado Disaster Risk Reduction held on 13-14 December 2009 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This event was organized jointly by the Ministry of Food and Disaster Management and the Ministry of Defense of Bangladesh, Tokyo Polytechnic University, the Bangladesh Disaster Preparedness Center (BDPC), and the International Association of Wind Engineering.

Bangladesh is known as a country prone to various natural hazards, including cyclones, floods, and storm surges. Tornados occur almost every year, often resulting in extensive casualties and damage. Recently, for example, the 1996 tornado in Tangail killed about 700 people. Despite such devastating consequences, adequate tornado preparedness measures are still lacking, with efforts still needed in the areas of early warning systems and evacuation shelters. This forum was therefore held to raise awareness among policymakers, practitioners, and civil society of the risks posed by tornadoes and other severe local storms, as well as to promote the development of strategies for mitigating future disaster risks.

During the forum, ADRC gave two presentations, on "Governance and Policy Making" and "Public Awareness and Education." ADRC presented a wide range of issues concerning the progress made toward the HFA, as well as the remaining challenges, and highlighted the roles that awareness-raising efforts and education should play in Bangladesh. The presentations also summarized the ADRC's relevant activities in Bangladesh in the past. For more details, please visit the website(http://www.iawe.org/WRDRR_Bangladesh/).

(2009/12/14 13:10)

17-19 November (Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam)

The National Disaster Management Centre of Brunei Darussalam and the ADRC conducted a training of trainers (TOT) in Bandar Seri Begawan on 16 - 19 November, 2009. The training is a part of the ASEAN project Capacity Building of Local Government Officials on Disaster Management which started in 2008 aiming at strengthening the capacity of local officials in charge of disaster management. The ADRC and national disaster management organizations plan to cooperatively conduct trainings for local government officials in each ASEAN member country.

This TOT in Brunei Darussalam was attended by some twenty participants from DRR and relevant departments including fire department. On the first and second days of the training, the participants received lectures such as the disaster management systems of Brunei Darussalam and Japan, Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA), and disaster-specific countermeasures to further acquire their knowledge on DRR. On the third day, they conducted town watching, developed community-based multi-hazard maps in Tutong district, and discussed how to raise public awareness of the community. The trainers who have just completed the training this time will then provide trainings to local government officials at subsequent workshops. Also, the ADRC will implement TOTs and local workshops in other ASEAN countries next year.

 (2009/12/15 17:40)

10-12 June (Hanoi, Vietnam)

16-18 June (Phnom Penh, Cambodia)

23-25 June (Vientiane Province, Lao PDR)

In June 2009, the ADRC and disaster management organizations of Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam conducted trainings of trainers (TOT) in the ASEAN Project: Capacity Building of Local Government Officials on Disaster Management, which aims at reinforcing capacity of local government officials in charge of disaster management in the region. After the TOT, 10 participants will give lectures to 90 local officials in each country.

On 10 - 12 June 2009, Vietnam's Disaster Management Center (DMC) and the ADRC conducted TOT with the participants from Thua Thien Hue, Lao Cai and Tien Giang provinces and DMC. Experts from the ADRC, DMC, and Vietnam Red Cross gave lectures on risk assessment, disaster mitigation for flood, training facilities skills etc followed by town watching and community-based hazard mapping in Hanoi on the final day.

On 16-18 June 2009, TOT was held in Phnom Penh with topics such as total disaster risk management, Cambodia's situation about disaster risk reduction, and development planning and disaster risk reduction lectured by the country's National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) and the ADRC. Participants were composed of local government officials from Kompong Thom, Pursat and Kompong Chhnang provinces. On the final day, town watching / community-based hazard mapping was also organized in Kandal province.

On 23-15 June 2009, National Disaster Management Office　（NDMO） of Lao PDR and the ADRC held TOT in Vientiane province with participants from Vientiane, Bolikhamsay, and Luangnamtha provinces where the experts from the ADRC, NDMO, Lao Ministry from Education and Meteorological Agency lectured on contingency planning, urban planning and disaster risk management, early warning system, and rapid assessment etc. The local officials were divided into three groups by the province and conducted hazard mapping for risk assessment.

Through all the trainings, participating officials gained further expertise on various topics and had active discussions for coming training of local government officials. In the hazard mapping, they made risk assessment in the area based on what they learned in the TOT, discussed measures to be taken by every sector and reassured the importance of public awareness of disaster risk reduction.

Following the TOT, the three countries and ADRC will start workshops targeting local government officials from now on.

 (2009/07/02 17:40)

27-28 May (Putrajaya, Malaysia)

The ASEAN project: Capacity Building of Local Government Officials on Disaster Management was launched in Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia in May 2009. The project aims at strengthening capacity of local government officials in charge of disaster risk reduction in ASEAN countries. In 2009, the project started in the Philippines and Thailand in April.

The ADRC conducted kick-off meetings with the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) of Brunei Darussalam in Bandar Seri Begawan on 21-22 May, and with Malaysia's National Security Council (NSC) in Putrajaya on 27-28 May. Following the introduction about the project by the ADRC, the NDMC and NSC briefed on their disaster management systems and training systems. Then the organizations and the ADRC discussed the training schedule, topics, target areas etc considering the training needs of the countries. After training materials are developed by experts, training of trainers, and then training of local government officials are scheduled from now on.

(2009/06/29 17:40)

The second year program of the ASEAN project was launched in the Philippines and Thailand in April 2009, which aims at capacity building of local government officials in disaster management in the region. The program covers Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand this year.
The ADRC held conducted kick-off meetings on 22-23 in Manila, and then on 27-28 April in Bangkok with the national disaster management organizations of Philippines' National Disaster Coordination Council (NDCC), and Thai Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDMP) respectively. The participants of the meetings identified the needs for training based on the disaster management systems and training experiences of the countries. Then discussed on the program were issues such as training topics, experts to give lectures, the details for training of trainers and subsequent training for local government officials, and development of training materials. Also the participants visited training facilities for disaster management in both countries, the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) of the Philippines and Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Academy (DPMA) of Thailand.

(2009/05/25 17:40)

7-9 April 2009 (Chengdu, China)
The International Forum on Recovery and Reconstruction of Yingxiu, organized by Sichuan Provincial Construction Department, Guangdong Provincial Construction Department, Government of Aba Prefecture and China Academy of Building Research, was held in Chengdu, China, from 7 to 9 April, 2009. Three participants, headed by Mr. Suzuki, Executive Directive, from Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC), one of the co-organizer, attended the forum. Please refer the file below for the detail.

Forum_Report_e.pdf

(2009/05/12 17:30)

28 February - 19 March 2009 (Dhaka, Bangladesh)
JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) started the survey to formulate the comprehensive support program for Bangladesh where it has suffered many natural hazards. The program may include some yes-loan-financed projects. The survey focuses on water management including flood and cyclone and earthquake management as a sub-sector. Based on the survey, some projects which require urgent implementations would be considered and formulated when necessarily. The duration of the survey mission in Bangladesh is from 28th Feb to 19th March. Koji Suzuki, Executive Director of Asian Disaster Reduction Center participated in the survey mission. The mission visited the Ministry of Food and Disaster Management that is the Bangladesh counterpart government organization of Asian Disaster Reduction Center and Bangladesh Disaster Preparedness Center that Asian Disaster Reduction Center has long been working with. The mission had meetings at Ministry of Water Resource, Dhaka Geophysical Observatory, Dhaka Fire Brigade, BRAC University, Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology, UNDP and ADB. It also made some filed surveys on construction sites in Dhaka guided by Public Works Department and some river sites.

(2009/03/12 13:10)