TOP PAGE > Activities > Activity Report

Activity Report： Themes & Issues >> Community-based DRM

Participation in the "Joint Development of Citizen Empowerment Program for Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia" Project

7 September 2024 (Yogyakarta, Indonesia)

As part of the "Joint Development of Citizen Empowerment Program for Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia" project, conducted by the Kansai University of International Studies (KUIS) with funding from the Toyota Foundation, the ADRC team participated in a community-based disaster management drill utilising ICT in Yogyakarta, Indonesia on Saturday, 7 September 2024. ADRC served as a supporting organisation for the implementation of the project.

The drill targeted the Jogoyudan community along the Code River in Yogyakarta City, which is vulnerable to disasters such as flooding and cold lava flows from volcanic ash. KUIS and the local University of Atma Jaya Yogyakarta (UAJY) coordinated with the provincial/municipal disaster management agency (BPBD) and the community. Students from KUIS and UAJY actively participated in the drill activities. Although the short preparation time limited sufficient coordination efforts, each party cooperated in the evacuation drills and devised activities such as supporting and evacuating the injured, pregnant women and physically disabled persons.

It was conducted using the community disaster information sharing system (geoBingAn + WhatsApp system) launched by the ADRC in the ASEAN project in Malaysia last year (See ADRC Highlights Vol. 368 and 370). By registering via WhatsApp, which people use every day, the system enables simultaneous broadcasting to the registrant's WhatsApp and collection of information in the form of text, photos and videos from registrants via WhatsApp. It is an easy-to-use system that enables two-way information exchange on WhatsApp.

In addition to information sharing via radio, which BPBD normally uses, information was uploaded by the participants through WhatsApp as needed. BPBD and the community members found the system through WhatsApp to be a very convenient and user-friendly platform for information sharing, as they were already familiar with using WhatsApp. Even after the drill, BPBD asked some questions about future collaboration and expressed interest in continuing to use this system.

As noted above, due to the limited preparation, the local government officials were not able to fully utilise the system during the drill. The results of the ICT-utilised drill were reported at the international workshop "Asian Conference on Civil Disaster Reduction and Response (ACDRI)" under the Toyota-funded project. The ICT-utilised disaster risk reduction event will be continued in the next activity with universities in Malaysia.

(2024/09/14 15:00)

EPWG Workshop on Strengthening Early Warning Early Action for the Vulnerable Communities in APEC

24-25 June 2024 (Da Nang, Vietnam )

The EPWG Workshop on Strengthening Early Warning Early Action for the Vulnerable Communities in APEC took place in Da Nang, Vietnam, on 24-25 June 2024. The workshop aimed to share professional and technical information in natural disaster risk management among APEC economies and was attended by some thirty experts from the APEC region. It was organised by Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, which is Vietnam's focal point in the APEC Emergency Preparedness Working Group (EPWG).

ADRC Research Director KODAMA Miki and Senior Researcher SHIOMI Yumi participated in the event. In Session 3 (Best Practices and Lessons Learned), Ms SHIOMI made a presentation entitled Utilisation of State of Art Communication Technologies for CBDRM and Emergency Management. Through the workshop, participants actively shared their lessons learned and views on Early Warning and Early Action for the vulnerable communities.

(2024/07/02 15:00)

The JICA Knowledge Co-Creation Program "Comprehensive Disaster Risk Reduction for Central Asia and Caucasus"

17 June - 8 August 2024

Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) conducted a JICA Knowledge Co-Creation Program "Comprehensive Disaster Risk Reduction for Central Asia and Caucasus" from 17 June to 8 August 2024, with the cooperation of JICA Kansai. Six government officials from four countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, participated in this course, learning how to formulate and implement local DRR plans to promote DRR measures in their respective home countries.

The first four weeks of the course consisted of online lectures and exercises, and in the latter three weeks, face-to-face programs were conducted in Japan. The programs in Japan included lectures at DRR-related organisations in Hyogo, Osaka, and Nara prefectures and site observations to learn about landslide countermeasures after the 2004 Niigata Chuetsu Earthquake and erosion control and flood control measures for the Joganji River basin in Toyama Prefecture. In addition, the participants formulated a draft local DRR plan through the exercises and discussions. They participated actively in the programs, considering how to apply what they learned from this course to their future work and DRR measures in their home countries.

(2024/08/15 15:00)

Update on the UN-SPIDER RSO Meeting

10 June 2024 (online)

On 10 June 2024, an online meeting was held for the United Nations Platform for Space-Based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER) Regional Support Office (RSO). UN-SPIDER is a multilateral platform promoted by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) to facilitate the use of space-based technologies in disaster risk reduction and emergency response. UNOOSA is the UN agency responsible for space-related policies, and is headquartered in Vienna, Austria. (The RSO supports the UN-SPIDER program at a regional level. ADRC has been active as an RSO since signing a cooperation agreement with UNOOSA on 4 June 2009, at the 52nd session of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).)

At the 10 June meeting, ADRC Project Director SUZUKI Koji explained the progress of a project for use of the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) in disaster risk reduction. QZSS is a system that the National Space Policy Secretariat, Cabinet Office of Japan, is considering deploying in cooperation with nine countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The project technology uses QZSS (known as Michibiki in Japan), a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) developed and operated by the Japanese government, to transmit disaster-related information. This advanced technology can provide disaster-related information even in areas where regular communication infrastructure is lacking or is disrupted due to disaster. In Japan, partial operation began in 2018. The feasibility for general implementation of the technology in the Asia-Pacific region is being evaluated through surveys and by taking prototype receivers to the region to conduct demonstrations.

At the start of the meeting, UN-SPIDER explained that, until now, efforts to utilise space-based technologies for disaster risk reduction on the UN-SPIDER platform have been related to optical satellites and SAR satellites, and therefore use of GNSS (QZSS) technology for disaster risk reduction is very unique.

(2024/06/17 15:00)

Implementation of the Pilot Project on Utilization of the ICT for CBDRM in Malaysia: Review of the Activities

4-5 December 2023 (Malaysia)

On 4 and 5 December 2023, ADRC organized the review meetings with the target communities, and district and state governments to evaluate the simulation of ICT tools prepared for the pilot project for CBDRM that was held in October.

Most stakeholders responded very positively to the tools and agreed to work with us in the future, recognising that the tools have the potential to revolutionise disaster response and to enhance disaster management capacity at the local level.

The meeting to report the outcomes of the project to the ASEAN member states will be held in February or March 2024. We also plan to discuss on the next project with the stakeholders.

(2023/12/12 15:00)

Implementation of the Pilot Project on Utilization of the ICT for CBDRM in Malaysia

5 October 2023 (Malaysia)

As a project to promote the "Capacity Building on Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR)" programme under the ASEAN-JAPAN Work Plan on Disaster Management, ADRC has been conducting since July 2023, the "Pilot Project on Utilization of State-of-the-Art Communication Technologies for CBDRM and Disaster Emergency Management in Malaysia," commissioned by the Cabinet Office of Japan. The pilot activities were carried out in close cooperation with the National Disaster Management Agency of Malaysia (NADMA).

After the initial coordination in July 2023 with the relevant stakeholders, such as Ranau District Office, Dumpiring and Mesilou Village Disaster Management Committees in the selected pilot area in Kundasang, Sabah, a test of the ICT tools prepared for this pilot project was conducted on 5 October 2023. The activities were conducted as one of the programmes during the Science and Technology Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience (STDR3) Week 2023, which was attended by Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

The tools were tested and validated through simulated activities in a controlled disaster scenario involving targeted groups of community members and agencies in the pilot areas, confirming that they can be used effectively for information sharing in the event of a disaster. The results of the simulation were reviewed after the event by the observed agencies, such as NADMA and the Sabah State Disaster Management Committee (SSDMC). Follow-up activities, including of a seminar for the district officers, will be conducted in December 2023.

(2023/10/12 15:00)

Workshop on Tsunami Disaster Risk Reduction in Krabi: Lessons learnt from the Indian Ocean Tsunami and way forward, September 22nd, Krabi, Thailand

22 September 2016 (Krabi, Thailand)

ADRC in close collaboration with DDPM, Thailand and Cabinet Office,Japan, organised a one day workshop in Krabi, Thailand, by focusing on locally based DRR by using new technologies. Thee workshop was attended by DDPM, Thailand and its provincial offices, the private sectors and NGO from Thailand, and experts from Indonesia and Japan. It was opened by Mr. Supakit Phophapaphan, Deputy Director General, DDPM, followed by introductory presentation on Tsunami DRR in Asia and Japan by ED of ADRC.

Session 1, chaired by Mr. A. Pinta, DDPM reviewed Tsunami DRR efforts made in Thailand after the Indian Ocean Tsunami. In the Session 2 moderated by Mr. M. Arakida, ADRC various efforts and high tech against Tsunami were presented from Japan and Indonesia, followed by demonstration and group training of Disaster Imagination Game, DIG by Prof. T. Komura, Tokoha University.

The young generation does not share the experiences of the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004. Lessons learnt from the past experiences will help us elaborate anti tsunami measures well adapted to individual areas, while high tech today will facilitate improving community based Tsunami DRR.

(2016/9/21 12:30)

ADB project: Applying SBT and ICT to Strengthen Disaster Resilience

14-18 December 2015 (Bangkok, Thailand)

"Applying SBT and ICT to Strengthen Disaster Resilience" funded by ADB for 18 months in 4 countries has been launched with regional kick-off meeting on 14-18 December 2015 at AIT, Thailand.

International and National consultants of the project participated in the OSM (Open Street Map) workshop to learn the OSM concept, how to use, good practices. Also participants joined OSM exercise in the field of AIT. On 16-17 December, national delegates also participated in the regional kick-off meeting. During the meeting, the project briefing was done by ADB, then contributions from each international consulting firm (AIT, ADRC, RESTEC, PASCO, Geo Things), current situations in each pilot project country (Armenia, Bangladesh, Fiji, Philippines) were explained, and project targets in each country were discussed. And the relations between the project and the Sentinel Asia program was explained.

The kick-off meeting at the national level will be held during February to April 2016. Dr. Ogawa, former Executive Director, and Mr. ARAKIDA, Senior Researcher will be in charge from ADRC.

Research on Tsunami Disaster Awareness Among Residents of Indonesia

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)

Participation in the JICA Follow-Up Seminar "Comprehensive Disaster Management"

14-15 August 2013, Almaty, Kazakhstan

The ADRC joined the JICA Follow-Up Seminar "Comprehensive Disaster Management" held at the Center of Emergency Situations and Disaster Risk Reduction (CESDRR) in Almaty, Kazakhstan on 14-15 August 2013. This seminar was held to follow up the efforts of JICA training course "Comprehensive Disaster Management for Central Asia and the Caucasus" that ADRC has been conducting together with JICA Kansai. In addition, for further transferring Japan's experience and expertise regarding disaster risk management, it focused on a few themes, namely "Seismic Safety of Buildings," "Community Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM)" and "Operation of regional disaster management center," which Kazakh Government is interested in. Approximately 40 participants including the Vice Mayor of Almaty City, national and local government officials of Ministry of Emergency Situations and Almaty City, and researchers from KazNIISA (Agency for Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Republic of Kazakhstan) and other institutions.

In the seminar, the ADRC introduced the efforts for CBDRM taken place in Japan, including voluntary organizations for disaster prevention, disaster education and awareness raising activities. Furthermore, the ADRC shared the information on its activities since its establishment in 1998, as well as the management of a regional center as a humble guide for operating the new CESDRR which was agreed with the establishment between the governments of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in May 2013.

Seminar participants might have a difficulty to understand Japanese disaster management system, however we believe that they understand well the importance of retrofitting of buildings, as well as the concept of "Self Help," "Mutual Help" and "Public Help." The ADRC also learnt a lot from the Kazakh experiences on DRR through this seminar. We are looking forward to further working with JICA and the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan, as well as CESDRR in the near future.

(2013/09/05 16:50)

Workshop on Developing Capacity for Resilience to Water related Disasters in Pakistan through Space Applications and Flood Risk Management

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)

Earthquake Disaster Reduction for West Sumatra

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)

Community-based Disaster Risk Management in Malaysia

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)

Community-based Disaster Risk Management in Brunei Darussalam

7-8 June 2010, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam

Brunei's National Disaster Management Center (NDMC) and ADRC had been prepar ing for training of local government officials in the country since May 2009.

The workshop on 7-8 June, extending its target to community level, was attended by some 100 people composed of government officials and residents including community leaders and school children from a water village, Kampong Ayer in Bander Seri Begawan.

On the first day, the participants took lectures such as disaster risks in the village and contingency planning followed by town watching. After developing hazard maps on the second day, the results were reported to be shared among residents. Emergency aid and fire & rescue exercise also participated in the workshop.

As Kampong Ayer is a disaster-prone area such as storms, floods and fires, the residents were so ardent and even asked for further workshops along thie line in the future.

Under the project of capacity building of local government officials in ASEAN members, similar activities are now scheduled in Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

(2010/06/18 17:40)

"Workshop on Transfer of Japanese Disaster Management Measures to Enhance Self/Mutual-help Capacity in Community of Sri Lanka"

18-19 February 2010 (Kandy, Sri Lanka)

The ADRC joined the "Workshop on Transfer of Japanese Disaster Management Measures to Enhance Self/Mutual-help Capacity in Community of Sri Lanka" held in Kandy, Sri Lanka from 18-19 February 2010. The workshop was organised by the Cabinet Office of Japan, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) of Sri Lanka and Tokio Marine & Nichido Risk Consulting Co., Ltd.
In the workshop, the ADRC made a presentation on disaster risk assessment and its efforts in Japan and also conducted a town watching program on both days. The target area for the town watching has been considered as a high risk area of flooding to be caused by dam break in the near future. DMC has been preparing for the expected disaster through the awareness raising of local government officials and community people in the area, as well as developing hazard maps. The workshop offered a good opportunity to enhance understanding and recognition of risks in the area among high level officials in the concerned local government and agencies.

(2010/02/26 16:50)

JICA Comprehensive Study on Disaster Management

October 2006 - March 2009 (Sri Lanka)

Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) has participated in the Comprehensive Study on Disaster Management in Sri Lanka (Study Period: Oct. 2006 - Mar. 2009) organized by JICA as members of the Study Team. In March 2009, all the Study activities were completed with submission of the final report of the Study to the government of Sri Lanka. ADRC had been in charge of the Study areas of Administration of Disaster Management and Community based Disaster Management (CBDM) and made recommendations to enhance the capacities of those areas.
As final activity of the Study on CBDM, a seminar on CBDM was conducted in Colombo on 5 December 2008 with around 100 participants in charge of disaster management in District Disaster Management Coordinating Unit, Divisonal Secretariat Office, and NGOs. In the seminar, discussion on enhancing CBDM through review of draft of disaster educational material, and practical training of community hazard mapping and a game for disaster awareness.
Further information on the Study, please visit the following website of Disaster Management Center of Sri Lanka: http://www.dmc.gov.lk/jica/index.html

(2009/03/10 10:40)

Activities

Recent Activities

Activities