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

March 9-11, 2017 (Mashhad, Iran)

Convening over 100 officials from the local governments of Mashhad and Shiraz in Iran, a representative from ADRC/IRP served as co-facilitator along with UNISDR's Global Education and Training Institute (GETI) in the Workshop on Local Implementation of the Sendai Framework, 9-11 March 2017 In Mashhad, Iran. The workshop was organized by the Mashhad Disaster Management Department to help ensure that the municipality is resilient to disasters.

Mashhad is not only the second important city of Iran (after Tehran) in terms of population, economy, and industry, but it is also the second most exposed city to disaster risks. The municipality is mainly exposed to earthquakes and floods, recognizing the need to put in place necessary measures to reduce disaster risk. The municipality is actively working on key policies and legislation to promote disaster risk reduction and management towards achieving sustainable development of the town. It promotes efforts of integrating DRR in its urban development processes, and mitigating risks in reasonable level with the view of preparing to build back better in recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. In addition, the municipality is an active participant of the UNISDR Making Cities Resilient (MCR) campaign. This campaign supports the capacity building activities of local experts and officials with a focus on developing and implementing a City Resilience Action Plans based on the MCR Campaign 10 Essentials to make their cities resilient to disasters. ADRC/IRP representative shared global experiences and best practices along the 10 Essentials for making cities resilient.
As way forward, the municipality of Mashhad, being one of the pioneering local governments in the region to receive the workshop, committed to pursue two key activities. Firstly, a team will be created to continue to facilitate the discussions and planning so that within the next six to eight months, a complete draft of the Resilient City Action Plan will be ready for adoption and implementation. Secondly, the Mashhad Disaster Management Department will facilitate coordination to realize the plan of making Mashhad, the Center for Education and Training on urban risk reduction in Iran.

   (2017/03/17 14:40)

Iriga City, Philippines (November 28-29, 2016)

Makati City, Philippines (November 25, 2016)

November 17-18, 2016 (Manila, Philippines)

New Delhi, India (November 4, 2016)

The International Recovery Platform, where ADRC is pioneering member, coordinated a thematic session at the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, 3-5 November 2016 in New Delhi, India. The session was entitled "Strategies and Actions on Build Back Better" held on 4 November 2016, 13:00-14:30, Hall 6 at Vigyan Bhawan. Six high-level speakers of the session shared their respective experiences and lessons relative to: (i) policies and strategies, (ii) institutional arrangements, (iii) financing mechanisms, and (iv) implementation arrangements and recovery management - the key elements relevant to build back better. About 150 individuals participated in the session, where each speaker outlined key strategies and actions for build back better ranging from the areas of governance, gender, pre-investment, social inclusion, and sustainable development.

H.E. Vongthep Arthakaivalvatee, Deputy Secretary-General ASEAN Secretariat, reported that ASEAN is setting forward a regional policy on build back better based on the recovery and reconstruction component of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER). The regional policy sets forth the process and the timeframe for assessment, recovery plan formulation, resource mobilization, coordination, and transition of recovery plan to development plan so that member states are guided. With the AADMER in place, member states are about to improve safer structural and non-structural measures during reconstruction. Other specific examples of regional efforts include Tripartite Core Group partnership in recovery from cyclone Nargis in Myanmar as well as development of guides such as the Recovery Toolbox and the Disaster Recovery Reference Guide.

Mr. Sushil Gyewali, Chief Operating Officer of National Reconstruction Authority of Nepal, shared the key challenges of the Post-Disaster Recovery Framework 2016-2020. In terms of policies, the challenges include managing political interests, community expectations, compliance to build back better principle, and operations of the new National Reconstruction Authority that adopts a new perspective but with old team. In terms of institutional arrangement, the challenges are institution building against the pressure of delivery as well as the capacity to deliver reconstruction that complements national resources with international expertise. In terms of financing mechanism, the challenges include ensuring international commitment, financing, and realistic recovery planning and implementation. In terms of recovery management, a robust and decentralized reconstruction coordination and implementation mechanism was designed and instituted as well as engaging community.

Mr. Austere Panadero, Undersecretary at the Department of the Interior and Local Government of the Philippines, highlighted the key initiatives that help address the gaps in DRR and recovery efforts. In terms of policies, land use plan is the 'mother' of all plans and the basis for 'build back better' at the local/community level. Additionally, hazard-proofing of public investments is advocated through planning-programming-budgeting linkages as well as better DRRM-CCA informed criteria for project development and evaluation. In terms of institutional arrangements, the barangay-level or village-level DRRM-CCA baseline information is being generated locally and communities are strengthened through capacity building activities down to the household levels. In terms of financing mechanisms, initiatives such as Climate Change Expenditure Tagging (CCET) and the Seal of Good Local Governance through disaster preparedness audits are put in place. Finally, in terms of recovery management, a seamlessness of local development plans such as those drawn from Typhoon Haiyan experience in the Visayas and the "whole-of-government" approach under NDRRMC-OCD are among the many examples of tried and tested implementation arrangements.

Prof. Vinod Menon, Senior Advisor Caritas India, pointed that community-centered policies are essential. He introduced the "Community-Centered Risk Management" Framework for build back better, emphasizing inclusive recovery with special attention to the weak and marginalized groups. The framework was presented to be one of the solutions to address existing policy gaps as it facilitates: (i) coherence and convergence of policies relative to DRR, CCA, and SDGs; (ii) inclusion of the weaker sections of society as the hallmark of all recovery strategies; and (iii) support for resilience building of communities affected by ethnic conflicts, atrocities against vulnerable sections, violence and complex emergencies.

Mr. Achyut Luitel, Director of Practical Action Nepal, introduced the South Asian Disaster Report 2016, which outlines 12 recommendations for build back better in Nepal, namely: (1) promote multi-tier, multi-stakeholder policy directions; (2) harmonization and standardization of policy, legislative, and regulatory instruments; (3) ensure institutional demarcation for phase-out planning and implementation; (4) holding institutions accountable for addressing DRR in development interventions; (5) focus on vulnerable within vulnerable; (6) enable the potential and capacity of women as decision-makers; (7) make housing reconstruction owner-driven; (8) make schools safe for children; (9) building on local solutions; (10) move from cash transfer to risk transfer; (11) rebuilding micro and small enterprises; and (12) building disaster risk-informed development for resilience.

Ms. Shaila Shahid, Team Leader Gender and Water Alliance Bangladesh,  highlighted two policy actions, namely: (i) inclusion/awareness raising, where in the case of Bangladesh, actions such as participation of women in disaster management councils and local government, volunteerism, and representation in the management bodies are promoted; and (ii) capacity building focusing on understanding gender, identifying social relations between men and women, and how these relationships are socially constructed to encourage leadership role.

After active discussions, Mr. Stefan Kohler of UNOPS and chair of the session offered the summary. First, recovery phase is an opportunity to build back better, which is essential to reduce vulnerability and make the development gains more sustainable. It can be more successful of done with inclusion of the weak and marginalized. Second, pre-investment is an important element for build back better to ensure development continuity, such as promoting risk-informed land use planning. Third, awareness, knowledge, and capacity such as in reference to gender and marginalized groups are essential in facilitating effective preparation to build back better in recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction Finally, build back better in recovery is a large-scale institutional and technical effort, which requires all the stakeholders--government, civil societies, and private sector --to collaborate and work together such as the whole-of-government approach of the Philippines.

   (2016/11/04 14:40)

Putrajaya, Malaysia (May 17-18, 2016)

The academic network comprising the Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), the Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), and the Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) requested the orientation-workshop to: (i) gain greater understanding of build-back-better through pre-disaster recovery planning for flood as well as the possibility of integrating this concept in the academic courses; (ii) enhance the capacities of faculty members to train other lecturers, students, and practitioners on build back better through pre-disaster recovery planning, and (iii) explore the application of PDRP to achieve a more effective flood management.

About 35 academic professors, lecturers, and officials from the National Government participated the workshop - including representation from all members of the academic network, the Malaysia Civil Defence Department (JPAM), the Ministry of Education (KPM), Fire and Rescue Department (JBP), District of Kemaman, and Mercy Malaysia. Two keynote speeches were delivered to set the tone of the workshop. The first speech was delivered by Mr. Rosman Roslan, District of Officer of Kemaman, Terengganu, highlighting the district's initiative on pre-disaster recovery planning for flood. In particular, the district officer described how Kemaman facilitated the pre-arrangements with hotels and hospitals in case of floods. The second speech was delivered by Mr. Saiful Effendi of the Ministry of Education, where he described the proposed guidelines on disaster risk reduction for public schools. The group exercises of participants came up with two outputs. One was a checklist for pre-disaster recovery planning for Malaysia and the other was a set of strategies and actions for livelihoods recovery.

As for the next steps, the participants agreed to continue the discussions, either physically or virtually. Among the recommended follow-up actions were: (i) documentation of Kemaman flood recovery case and share the report to IRP/ADRC; (ii) review the IRP/ADRC materials on pre-disaster recovery planning and proposed possible module/syllabus for inclusion in academic course; and (iii) production of knowledge products on disaster recovery for flood, including handbooks designed for practitioners and policymakers. The academic network for flood management research in Malaysia is closely working with the Majlis Keselamatan Negara (National Security Council), the Meteorological Department and Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), the Kemaman Land and District Office, and the Ministry of Higher Education.

(2016/05/17 14:40)

Makati, Philippines (April 29, 2016)

Upon request of the Manila Observatory, and in collaboration with the SM Prime Property Company and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), the International Recovery Platform/Asian Disaster Reduction Center (IRP/ADRC) facilitated an orientation workshop on pre-disaster recovery planning (PDRP), 29 April 2016 at the Asian Institute of Management, Makati City, Philippines. The event gathered about 90 recovery decision-makers, planners, and implementers from public and private sectors, including civil society, scientific community, academe, media, and representatives of local communities to learn the essence of pre-disaster recovery planning. The composition of participants  was diverse to effectively simulate the PDRP exercise and to facilitate complementarity of recovery support functions.

The workshop explored various approaches of formulating a PDRP based on existing tools and experiences, including strategies, actions, and case studies from global experiences and highlighting Japan's pre-disaster recovery agreements as observed during the recovery from the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake 1995, the Great East Japan Earthquake 2011, and the Kumamoto Earthquake 2016. The importance of the PDRP was emphasized by prominent speakers, namely: Ms. Antonia Loyzaga of the Manila Observatory, Ms. Liza Silerio of the SM Prime, Mr. Guillermo Luz of the PDRF, Gen. Alexander Pama of the Office of Civil Defense, and Ms. Remedios Endencia of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA). The speakers generally recognized that PDRP is essential because all governments and communities face similar organizational and policy issues in a disaster recovery (e.g. governance, financial management, effective operations, redevelopment standards, infrastructure, transportation, health, and livelihoods), so it pays to plan in advance. Firstly, it increases the "speed" of recovery when all stakeholders (i.e. multi-sectoral, multi-disciplinary, and inter-ministerial/departmental) plan in advance. It facilitates coordinated planning and implementation that minimizes uncertainties, overlaps, and bottlenecks. Secondly, it builds stronger relationship among all stakeholders that limits poor decision taken under post-disaster stress. It prepares stakeholders' full participation in recovery - making it easy to engage and reach a risk-informed decision. Finally, it establishes beforehand the modalities for financing recovery process, including pre-agreements and contracting services.

Using the Metro Manila earthquake scenario shared by Dr. Renato Solidum of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the workshop came up with two main outputs. One was a Checklist for Pre-Disaster Recovery Planning and the other was  a Template on Pre-Agreement  for Disaster Recovery. As way forward, the participants agreed to scale up discussions on PDRP with National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) and explore the options for pre-agreements in disaster recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction.

 (2016/04/29 14:40)

9-10 December 2014 (Dhaka, Bangladesh)

Considering that "disasters are inevitable in Bangladesh due to its high vulnerability index", the Government, specifically the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), recognized the need for strategic options to further reduce the impacts of disaster. The principle of "build back better" is one particular option that the Government wants to promote by seizing the opportunity to correct the limitations and failures of previous practices, policies, and programs during the recovery phase. It further recognized that recovery offers opportunity to make infrastructures, communities, and livelihoods resilient.

In view of this, the MoDMR, in cooperation with the Institute of Strategic Recovery Studies for Disaster Resilience and Research (ISRSDRR) and the Interational Recovery Platform/Asian Disaster Reduction Center (IRP/ADRC), had jointly organized a Stakeholders Consultation Workshop on Disaster Recovery Planning, 9-10 December 2014 at CIRDAP Auditorium in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The workshop was supported by local partners, namely: UNDP, Australian Aid, Islamic Relief, and Christian Aid.

Participated by over 50 stakeholder representatives, the consultation was generally aimed at creating the foundation for promoting resilient recovery and paving the way for sustainable development in Bangladesh. Specifically, the consultation was expected to achieve the following: (i) introduced recovery agenda to key stakeholders, (ii) prepared the ground works for establishing a National Recovery Platform, and (iii) discussed and endorsed a Roadmap for Disaster Recovery Planning.

At the opening, IRP/ADRC delivered the keynote speech which introduced the key principles of disaster recovery, including knowledge products, case studies, tools, and guidance. After the keynote, the following key officials from the Government delivered their respective speeches:  Mr. Mohammed Abdul Wazed, Director-General of the Department of Disaster Management; Dr. Mesbah ul Alam, Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief; Hon. Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya Bir Bikram, Minister of Disaster Management and Relief; and Mr. Dhirendra Debnath Shambhuh, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction. The key message of all the speeches was that recovery is gap in disaster risk reduction  (DRR) that Bangladesh needs to address.

At the end of the workshop, the stakeholders identified the following key recommendations: (i) institutionalization of recovery functions at the national and local governments; (ii) establishment of predictable funding for recovery at the government agencies; (iii) adoption of mechanisms for cooperation in areas of recovery; and (iv) formulation of disaster recovery framework for readiness and capacity. As way forward, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief laid the ground works for establishing the National Recovery Platform with further consultations with key stakeholders, including UNDP, Islamic Relief, Christian, ISRSDRR, and IRP/ADRC.

(2014/12/17 14:40)

11-12 November, 2014 (San Salvador, El Salvador)

ADRC/IRP, in collaboration Central America's Center for Disaster Prevention (CEPREDENAC), had organized an Intergovernmental Dialogue on Recovery Processes, 11-12 November 2014 at Hilton Princess Hotel in San Salvador, El Salvador. The event was also strongly supported by UNISDR and UNDP. The main objective of the dialogue was to facilitate knowledge exchange so that government organizations and cities can improve their programs based on the sharing of experiences. The discussions dwelt on: How have recovery processes been institutionalized at the country and local levels? What institutional and policy arrangements were commonly adopted? What types of tools were adopted for assessment and framework development? Do governments secure necessary financial, administrative, and political resources for recovery? Are there mechanisms in place to monitor recovery processes? Answers to these questions inform the recommendations for next steps such as galvanizing national efforts on recovery and institutionalizing recovery processes.

Over 40 government officials and heads of development organizations participated in the dialogue. Among those represented included Paraguay, Honduras, Japan, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Panama. The cities of Santa Tecla, Bogota, and Curundu were also represented. Moreover, the World Bank, the Swiss Development Council (SDC), and the Global Education and Training Institute (GETI) of UNISDR had representations. Participants to the dialogue were high-level with El Salvador Vice President Sr. Oscar Ortiz inaugurating the event.

ADRC/IRP shared available tools and guidance on recovery as well as global case studies on recovery processes. The sharing adds value to the ongoing initiatives in Central America by offering wide array of options concerning strategies and actions for 'build back better'. In particular, Mr. Shingo Kochi, senior recovery expert at IRP, shared Japan's experience by highlighting the advances, needs, and requirements for a more effective recovery process.
Several recommended next steps were outlined at the dialogue. These include efforts to further (i) disseminate best practices and lessons on recovery and reconstruction processes implemented in recent years; (ii) share the results of the dialogue processes to other regions and countries; (iii) inform the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction on recovery and reconstruction issues that should be taken into account.

Some specific actions were also mentioned such as the following: (i) recovery frameworks/plans may be prepared, discussed, and approved before the disaster happens; (ii) recovery process shall incorporate DRR and integrated into development; and (iii) evaluation and monitoring mechanisms of recovery projects to be implemented. It was also observed that there is so much recovery experience in Central America that should be documented, analyzed, and shared to other regions and countries.

(2014/11/25 14:40)

3-5 November 2014 (Manila, Philippines)

Upon the request of the Bonifacio Estate Services Corporation (BESC), ADRC/IRP and UNISDR-GETI have jointly facilitated the initial development of the Disaster Risk Reduction Action Plan (DRR-AP) for the Bonifacio Global City (BGC). During the three-day workshop ? held on November 3-5, 2014 at the Globe Tower, Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City, Philippines ? existing tools, guidance, and lessons on DRR and recovery were shared and explained.

Over 70 participants from six districts of BGC, representing the estates and establishments, shared their experiences and opinion on how to organize response and recovery operations in case of a disaster. At the end of the workshop all suggestions were put together to form the strategies and actions of the BGC DRR-AP. The essential next steps were also identified, namely:

The Bonifacio Estate Services Corporation (BESC) will take forward the initial outputs of the workshop by conducting further consultations/workshops with other stakeholders/experts, including: utility experts; medical experts; first-aid experts; local government officials (barangay and city); law enforcement agencies (e.g. police and armed forces); and other relevant agencies of the government. The objective of further consultation is to address sectors that might be overlooked (e.g. psychosocial, gender, and livelihoods). It was recommended that a drafting committee or consultant will assist in putting together proposed action points.

In entire process of formulating the BGC DRR Action Plan, ensure that it is integrated or linked with existing DRR & development plans/mechanisms in the barangay, city, BGC developers, MMDA, and NDRRMC framework. In this, the draft may be reviewed along with existing plans or share draft to proper authorities for comments and further guidance.

The BESC will seek endorsement of DRR Action Plan from the BGC Board of Directors. As regards participants to the workshop, the essential next step for them is to serve as focal points, inform their principals about direction of DRR AP formulation, and cascade the information down to the residents.

Within BESC, a formal structure may be created to coordinate and implement the DRR Action Plan. This structure may also perform the following functions: conduct proper risk assessments; dissemination of DRR information; simulation of action plan (e.g. drills); conduct security surveys, initiate pre-agreements with LGUs/agencies/private sector/NGOs; and adopt protocols for organizing emergency response and recovery.

To sustain the Action Plan the following are recommended: continuous monitoring and evaluation; conduct drills on regular basis; gather support from residents; pilot the DRR Action Plan; and conduct annual risk reduction summit.

   (2014/11/07 14:40)

12-14 May 2014 (Doha, Qatar)

The Permanent Emergency Committee (PEC) of the Ministry of Interior, State of Qatar has requested for workshop on disaster recovery planning to ensure that the State's development efforts are immediately back to normal in case of future disaster. While Qatar is a country that is less prone to disaster, the government is keen to strengthen their disaster management system considering the disasters that happened in neighboring countries such as flooding in Saudi Arabia and conflict in other parts of the gulf. Additionally, Qatar is making sure that its disaster management system should be functional and effective, especially that they are hosting many global events, including hosting the World Cup in 2022. Against this backdrop, the International Recovery Platform (IRP) and Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) in close collaboration with UNISDR in the Arab States and the Global Training Education and Institute (GETI) had facilitated the workshop, 12-14 May 2014 at the Civil Defense Club House, Doha Qatar. The main objective of the workshop was to orient government officials with concepts of organizing recovery after a disaster. It was also intended to prepare the officials in formulating the Recovery Framework of the State of Qatar which is envisioned by the Civil Defense. With its experts in Doha, IRP/ADRC shared a collection of global experiences on disaster recovery, including lessons from the Great East Japan Earthquake (2011) and Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake (1995), which served as reference in linking preparedness, recovery, and sustainable development. Furthermore, the workshop was also aimed at enhancing the knowledge of government officials in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and how this knowledge can be adequately integrated in the long-term development programing.
Close to 55 government officials from the State of Qatar and representatives of the private sector participated in the workshop to explore strategies and actions for the recovery framework. Partners from UNISDR-Arab States, GETI, and Civil Defense of Qatar also contributed in the discussions to ensure that partners' knowledge and experiences are shared. The Secretary General of Permanent Emergency Committee Brigadier Hamad Othman N. Al-Dehaimi, along with key officials from the Ministry of Interior, was present at the opening to highlight the expected outcomes of the workshop - i.e. enhanced knowledge on DRR and recovery. In this regard, the participants were exposed to various concepts and wide array of strategies and actions from the global experiences to reinforce the existing initiatives of the State of Qatar.
As way forward, the State of Qatar is contemplating of organizing a follow-up workshop to come up with a draft Recovery Framework.

(2014/05/21 14:40)

23-25 October 2013 (Beirut, Lebanon)

The Government of Lebanon has recently adopted a National Response Framework (NRF) for Disaster. In view of this, the Government had requested IRP/ADRC to expand the Framework by integrating a Disaster Recovery Framework. In collaboration with UNDP Lebanon, IRP/ADRC facilitated a workshop on disaster recovery planning held at Grand Serail in Beirut Lebanon on 23-25 October 2013. The organization of the workshop was supported under the EC-funded project "Strengthening Region-based Capacities in Disaster Recovery Planning", which is being implemented by UNISDR through IRP/ADRC

About 25 high-level officials from different ministries of the Government of Lebanon participated in the workshop to explor options of recovery from disasters and conflicts. Additionally, representatives of international rganizations, specifically WHO and UNDP also participated to make sure that the workshop encapsulates local knowledge and regional experience. At the opening, several dignitaries delivered relevant messages. These included Gen. Mohamed Kheir, Secretary General of High Council of Defense of the Government of Lebanon; Mr. Shombi Sharp, Deputy Country Director of UNDP in Lebanon; and Ms. una Abu Sweireh, Program Manager of UNISDR Office in Bonn, Germany.

Various aspects of recovery planning were discussed in this workshop. In particular, strategies and actions to "build back better" after disaster and conflict were explored using ocal and global cases as reference. The lessons on recovery, as compiled by IRP/ADRC from different experiences around the globe provided additional input to build on the existing government initiatives. The key output of the workshops is the consolidated strategic recommendations for recovery framework for disaster and conflict.

As way forward, all participants will be included in the Roster of Experts maintained by IRP/ADRC. Trained experts will continually receive information and update on recovery. Moreover, trained experts are expected to share knowledge gained from the workshops to other officials from different government ministries.

(2013/11/11 14:40)

15-17 October 2013 (Makati City)

  The Makati City Government requested IRP/ADRC to facilitate the city's initiative of developing a Disaster Recovery Framework through a workshop held on 15-17 October 2013 at the City Hall Conference Room, Makati City, Philippines. Since Makati is the location of central business, the mayor wants to ensure that Business Continuity Plans (amongst others) are put in place and specified in the City Recovery Framework.

About 50 city officials from different departments participated in the workshop to explore strategies and actions on recovery. In addition, officials from other local governments of Metro Manila also participated to make sure that local knowledge and experiences within the Metropolis are shared. The General Manager of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) was also present at the workshop. During this event, the participants were exposed to various options to "build back better" after a disaster. A wide array of strategies and actions from the Guidance Notes on Recovery serve as options for the city to adopt, if suited to its context. The lessons on recovery, as compiled by IRP/ADRC from various experiences around the globe, provided an additional input to build on the existing initiatives. The key output of the workshop is a draft Recovery Framework of Makati City.

As a way forward, the Makati Government formed a Working Group on Disaster Recovery Framework to fine-tune the output from the workshop. The draft will be shared to other departments for comments and suggestions. The working group will then incorporate the comments, and revise the draft. The final version of the Framework will be submitted to the City Council for discussion and adoption by the City Government in December 2013. Once adopted, sources of funds will be identified for its implementation.

(2013/11/11 14:40)

29 July to 3 August 2013 (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)

In collaboration with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), IRP/ADRC facilitated a back to back workshop on disaster recovery planning for Ethiopian officials (29-31 July 2013) held at Dreamland Hotel in Bishoftu and for Somali officials (1-3 August 2013) held at Panorama Hotel in Addis Ababa. Both workshops were part of the three workshops intended for the Horn of Africa under the EC-funded project "Strengthening Region-based Capacities in Disaster Recovery Planning", which is implemented by UNISDR through the IRP. The third workshop is planned for South Sudan officials to be held in Juba on 25-27 September 2013. These workshops are aimed at creating a pool of recovery experts in the region as well as build a standby capacity in IGAD. Achieving this objective entails that support can be expected by any country in the region desiring technical assistance for disaster recovery planning.

About 25 officials from Ethiopia and 20 officials from Somalia participated in the first and second workshop, respectively. The participants were high-level, coming from different ministries of the government with knowledge and background on disaster risk management and long-term recovery. In addition, representatives of international organizations, specifically UNDP, ILO, WHO, JICA, and African Center for Disaster Risk Management (ACDRM) also participated to make sure that the workshop encapsulates local knowledge, regional experience, and international expertise. With Ethiopian government hosting the back to back event, H.E. Ato Mitiku Kassa, State Minister for Disaster Risk Management, came at the opening of both workshops. Additionally, H.E. Said Yousuf Noor, Somali Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, came at the first day of the workshop intended for the Somali government officials.

During the workshops, various aspects of recovery planning were discussed. In particular, options and strategies to "build back better" after long-drought and heavy flooding were explored in order to address the challenges that are expected in the recovery process. Although IRP/ADRC served mainly as facilitators, experts from WHO, ILO, and UNDP came to the workshop to share their expertise and experiences from their respective activities in the region. The following observations came out from the discussions. Firstly, there has been a paradigm shift in dealing with disaster in the region from "crisis management" to "risk management". This new paradigm embraces the importance of pre-disaster recovery planning and views disaster management in broader and holistic perspectives. Secondly, the disaster risk management activities initiated by the governments are aligned with the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA). In other words, the governments have localized and reported updates on the priorities for action identified in the HFA. Finally, there have been ongoing initiatives by the governments on integrating disaster recovery planning in disaster risk management and sustainable development. One example is the DRM Strategic Program and Investment Framework (DRM-SPIF) of the Government of Ethiopia. The DRM-SPIF is an instrument that guides and prioritizes investment towards full operationalization of the DRM policy. Among a number of prioritized areas is the disaster recovery planning so that communities can "build back better" and become more resilient in future disasters. The lessons on recovery, as compiled by IRP/ADRC from various experiences around the globe, provided an additional input to build on the existing government initiatives. The key output of the workshops is the consolidated strategic recommendations for recovery plan for drought and flood.

(2013/8/12 14:30)

21-23 May 2013 (Geneva, Switzerland)

Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) and International Recovery Platform (IRP) participated on the 4th Global Platform for Disaster Reduction (GP), hosted by UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), from 21 to 23 May 2013, held at the International Conference Centre Geneva, Switzerland. The 4th GP brought together over 3,500 participants from 171 countries with participation from national and local governments, inter-governmental organizations, non-government organizations, business, academics and communities.

The aim of the 4th GP is to continue the momentum into a durable and sustained effort from all actors to take shared responsibility in reducing risks and reinforcing resilience in our communities. And the 4th GP will be an opportunities to progress of Hyogo Framework of Action (HFA) and to consult on the framework in the next term, so-called "HFA2".

The opening ceremony was opened 9:30 AM of 21 May at the main conference hall. Mr. Ueli Maurer, President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr. Jan Eliasson, UN Deputy Secretary-General, Deputy Prime minister of Namibia and Civil Defense Minister of New Zealand had the welcome speeches.

Thereafter, about 170 official events, such as the official statements by participant countries, the introduction of participant organizations on their activities were held.

On the same day afternoon, ADRC held a special meeting titled "Regional Mechanisms for Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia: Building Resilience through Innovation and Partnerships" co-hosted with Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) and Asian Disaster Rescue and Response Network (ADRRN). Three organizations introduced their characteristic activities for their missions. (ADRC was established as the hub of international cooperation between central governments of member countries, ADPC was founded based on the outreach center of the Asian Institute of Technology and ADRRN is a network of national and local civil society organizations concerning DDR.) And several participants stressed the importance of strong cooperation between Asian regional organizations such as ADRC, ADPC and ADRRN.

There were also meetings among participants during the conference period. On 22 May, the executive director of ADRC had an opportunity of meeting with the delegate of Iran, Mr. Ghadami, Deputy of the Minister Interior and Head of National Organization for Disaster Reduction (NDMO). As Iran had joined ADRC member countries in last December, Mr. Ghadami expressed their high hope for support by ADRC in order to strengthen their DRR capacity. Both sides reaffirmed their mutual interests in  developing the cooperation between ADRC and NDMO. Later day this meeting was introduced in NDMO's web site.

Mr. Ghadami, Head of NDMO (left) and Mr. Natori, ED of ADRC
（from NDMO web site）

In 23 May, IRP hosted a forum on the lessons learned from the experiences of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Details are described in the next article.
At the closing ceremony, the chairperson, Mr. Dahinden, Director-General of the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation, unveiled the draft of the Chair's Summary, and  Ms. Wahlström extended her gratitude to the participants.Japan's Government  delegate, Mr. Yoshitami Kameoka, Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Management, declared that the next the UN World Conference on Disaster Reduction (WCDR) would be held on March 2015 in Sendai City in Japan.

Mr. Kameoka, Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Management, declared that the next WCDR would be held in Sendai City, Japan.

26-28 November 2012 (Belgrade, Serbia) 

Over 40 officials from government ministries, municipal governments, United Nations organizations, and training institute participated in the Workshop on Disaster Recovery Planning on 26-28 November 2012 at Zira Hotel in Belgrade, Serbia. The event was jointly organized by the Ministry of Interior Sector for Emergency Management of Serbia, UNDP Serbia, UNISDR, European Commission (EC), and IRP/ADRC.

The workshop was a follow-up event to the Training on Resilient Recovery conducted in April 2011 by the same organizers. As envisioned in the follow-up event, experts from the National Training Institute of Serbia served as co-facilitators of the workshop - specifically on two sectors considered in long-term recovery: infrastructure and climate change adaptation. The workshop also provided the venue for experts and practitioners in Serbia to discuss the challenges that are commonly encountered in recovery and to explore measures to overcome them.

The outcomes of the workshop included: (i) consolidated strategic recommendations for disaster recovery plans for national and municipal governments in Serbia; (ii) agreement by the National Training Institute of Serbia to adopt the workshop module on Disaster Recovery Planning from IRP/ADRC, and to enhance the capacity of all concerned government ministries and municipal governments; and (iii) discussions between IRP/ADRC and UNDP Serbia for a potential partnership in implementing the proposed plan for establishing a "Resource Center for DRR" at Nis, Serbia to cater the needs of stakeholders not only in Serbia but for the entire Balkan region.

29-31 October 2012 (Jakarta, Indonesia)

The workshop on disaster recovery planning was held at Sari Pan Pacific Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia, 29-31 October 2012. It was jointly organized by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), UNDP Indonesia, UNISDR for Asia and the Pacific, European Commission (EC), and IRP/ADRC. The workshop was designed to support the initiatives of the Government of Indonesia for better disaster recovery operations, specifically at strengthening the manuals on Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) and Monitoring of Recovery Projects that were developed by the national government. The role of IRP/ADRC experts at the workshop was to provide technical assistance through sharing of lessons from global experiences.

Dr. Syamsul Maarif (Head of BNPB) and Mr. Bambang (Deputy for Reconstruction and Recovery of BNPB) are among the over 35 officials who actively participated in the workshop. At the end of the event, participants outlined key recommendations for recovery planning, including review of spatial planning blueprint and localization of revised manuals on PDNA and Monitoring of Recovery Projects.

To forward the recommendations from the participants, discussions between IRP/ADRC, AHA Centre, ASEAN Secretariat, and AusAID were facilitated.  One of the key follow up activities is to strengthen regional partnerships to further enrich knowledge of integrating disaster recovery planning into their national DRR plans and other planning instruments.

(2012/11/20 14:40)

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.

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

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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.

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.

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)

(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

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)

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)

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)

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)