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Activity Report

Taipei, Taiwan (October 27-31, 2014)


photo_Taiwan.jpgADRC had actively supported the 2014 International Training Workshop (ITW) which was organized by the National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction (NCDR), 27-31 October 2014 at the NCDR Training Center, Taipei, Taiwan. The workshop was aimed at sharing experiences and lessons on post-disaster recovery, especially from countries that experienced mega-disasters. 

Along with speakers from various organizations and countries, ADRC had shared experiences on post-disaster recovery. In particular, ADRC Executive Director Mr. Kiyoshi Natori presented the "Recovery and Lessons from the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011" highlighting the challenges on post-disaster recovery and how these challenges were addressed, including applying the lessons from past disasters as well as integrating the emerging lessons from current disasters such as considering the "wisdom of local community" in disaster risk reduction.  Additionally, a researcher at ADRC also shared some of the existing "Tools and Guidance in Building Back Better" emphasizing ADRC's experience in disseminating knowledge on recovery.

ADRC's presentations had contributed in achieving one of the key objectives of the workshop, which is to collect, analyze, and apply trans-boundary knowledge and lessons on recovery. Based on the presentations from countries in Asia and the Pacific as well as Latin America, the elements for organizing effective recovery were identified - especially in the areas of infrastructure/housing reconstruction, livelihood revitalization, and psychosocial wellness. The sharing of knowledge and experiences was reinforced with a one-day field visit to the Chi‐Chi Earthquake Museum (9.21 Museum) and Nantou County, which showcased the recovery efforts from the 1999 earthquake and the recovery of Sacred Wood Community from the 2009 Typhoon Morakot, respectively.

The 2014 ITW was an opportunity to forward collaboration and interdisciplinary discussions on post-disaster recovery. It explored actions that promote further investment in DRR and emergency preparedness through development of new technology and upgrading of infrastructures to make them more resilient.

(2014/11/7 14:40)

26 October - 2 Novemnber 2014 (Sukabumi and Banda Aceh, Indonesia)

In recent years, large-scale earthquakes and tsunamis have been occurring in Indonesia and Japan. These countries share similar geographic conditions and very high disaster risks. To reduce disaster risks, it is important to study the level of disaster awareness among residents, particular their awareness of earthquakes and tsunamis. For this research project, two target areas in Indonesia were selected. One was Sukabumi, where it is predicted that a large-scale disaster will occur in near future. The other was Banda Aceh, where the Sumatra Earthquake occurred in December 2004.
In the Sukabumi district, a 100-item questionnaire survey was conducted around the center of the city of Pelabuhanratu. It showed that local residents have only a limited level of disaster awareness because of their limited past experiences with tsunamis. Also, only a few tsunami disaster drills have been conducted in the recent past. The results suggest that more active disaster awareness programs and activities are needed in this area.
The 100-item questionnaire survey was also conducted in Banda Aceh. Four tsunami evacuation buildings were constructed and many evacuation drills have been conducted since the tsunami that struck this region. However, budgets for disaster management efforts have been gradually decreasing. Funding for human resources and disaster management programs at research institutions are also weakening. Better approaches to DRR should be developed so as to maintain the disaster awareness of residents.
There is a disparity between Sukabumi and Banda Aceh in terms of their level of disaster awareness and activities as a result of their past real-life experiences. However continued disaster management activities, as well as reminders of the importance of such activities, are needed in both areas.

(Note: This project is part of the Hyogo Earthquake Memorial 21st Century Research Institute.)

(2014/11/18 18:30)

20-24 October 2014 (Bangkok, Thailand)


IMG_9296.JPG

ADRC participated in the 9th Integrated Workshop of the Typhoon Committee which was jointly organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Typhoon Committee Secretariat on 20-24 October 2014. The more than 80 participants who attended the meeting included representatives from China, D.P.R. Korea, Japan, Lao, Malaysia, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Thailand, US, Viet Nam, Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions, as well as representatives of the organizing institutions.

The participants discussed their approaches of "Synergized, Integrated, Collaborative Standard Operating Procedures Strategies to Improve Early Warning System for Coastal Multi-hazards" which was the main theme of the meeting. And reports were given on the typhoon damage sustained in each country, as well as on the current year's activities. These included the project on Synergized Standard Operating Procedures for Coastal Multi-hazards Early Warning System (SSOP), in which ADRC is involved.

For the Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group, it was also considered that the participation in the "UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction" at Sendai, Japan on March 2015 as the Typhoon Committee.

The Typhoon Committee has two other working groups covering meteorology and hydrology, in addition to the working group on disaster risk reduction. This time, the three working group meetings were held together as an integrated event.

For more information, visit the Typhoon Committee website:
http://www.typhooncommittee.org/9IWS/

(2014/10/28 19:40)

                                                                                     

11-18 October 2014 (Armenia)

IMG_9230.JPGSince 2009, ADRC has been conducting DRR Policy Peer Reviews to help develop the DRR capacity of ADRC-member countries through the promotion of information sharing and through the strengthening of relationships among member countries.

The target project selected for review this year, the sixth since the Peer Review process was launched, is a project aimed at Seismic Safety Capacity Building of nursing homes and orphanages in the northern part of Armenia. After the country report was submitted, a reviewer team comprised of Dr. Kazuyoshi Ohnishi (Associate Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, Japan), Dr. Linsheng Gu (Professor and Executive Director, Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction (IDMR), Sichuan University - Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China) and Mr. Junji Moriwaki (ADRC Researcher) visited Armenia to conduct interviews.

The team visited the National Survey for Seismic Protection Agency, which is involved in DRR activities, to examine its DRR development efforts in Armenia. The team then conducted inspection of nursing homes and orphanages, after which it prepared a draft report of its survey results with all its findings (i.e. "The map of evacuation routes and places is posted on the wall" "The orphanage sets a rule that elder students should assist younger pupils in disaster", etc.) and recommendations (i.e. "Need to replace the furniture not to impede evacuation route" "Cooperation with local community regularly for assuming emergency situations", etc.). A workshop was also held to gather opinions and comments used in finalizing the report as well as to share good DRR practices from Japan and China with local participants. This proved to be a very good opportunity for participants to share information and ideas with one another.

This project aims to develop a mutual learning process among ADRC-member countries, rejecting conventional models of one-way learning. After its survey mission ends, the reviewer team compiles a survey report, which it sends to the countries examined as well as to other ADRC member countries, so as to enhance cross-fertilization.

ADRC would like to express its sincerest gratitude to all of those who have made such important contributions to this project.

                                          (2014/10/27 19:40)

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