An earthquake is a natural event and its risk cannot be completely eliminated. However, the destruction of earthquake can be minimized largely by comprehensive earthquake preparedness and mitigation strategies. The earthquakes in Haiti and Chile provide a good comparative example. Given the fact that both countries sit atop of large active faults, in the first quarter of 2010, Haiti faced a major earthquake of 7.0 magnitude which resulted to about 230,000 deaths, while Chile which was hit with even more severe quake of 8.8 magnitude had only 486 deaths. This incomparable difference between the two countries’ causalities comes from the implementation of comprehensive earthquake preparedness and mitigation strategies.

The course is divided into four modules with key topics as following:

• Principles of Earthquake Risk Reduction
• Tools and Techniques of Earthquake Risk Assessment
• Earthquake Vulnerability and Risk Reduction Strategies
• Planning for Earthquake Risk Reduction

Participants will leave with enhanced knowledge and experience regarding the following:

• Relationship between rapid unstable development and earthquake vulnerability
• Hands-on practices on diagnostic tools and techniques for earthquake hazard, vulnerability and risk assessment
• Effective strategies for earthquake vulnerability reduction and resistance
• Multi-sectoral partnership for implementing comprehensive earthquake vulnerability reduction strategies
• Capacity building on earthquake preparedness & response functions, and planning &recovery for sustainable development

The Earthquake Vulnerability Reduction Course (EVRC) has been designed to achieve the goal of supporting the creation of earthquake resilient society. With rich experiences in providing similar training courses on natural disaster risk reduction at international level, ADPC provides a model training experience in this course by integrating study materials, audio visual tools, and interactive learning strategies, while bringing together earthquake preparedness and mitigation experience from severely affected countries around the world.

All teaching and reference materials are in English.Participants must be fully conversant in English.

By completing the course, the EVRC participants will learn how to:

• Develop organized approaches for understanding earthquake riskand its impacts
• Measure the extent of earthquake vulnerability, and assess the capacity to response
• Formulate and apply appropriate strategies for comprehensive earthquake vulnerability and risk reduction
• Prepare for earthquake emergencies for efficient earthquake vulnerability reduction
• Integrate earthquake risk management strategies with recovery and rehabilitation plans and programs

EVRC offers a comprehensive approach to the development of earthquake vulnerability and risk reduction strategies, which enables an outlook of earthquake situation, and addresses required measures for preparedness and planning to response. The course brings out theoretical knowledge, state-of-art practices, as well as successes and failures of global earthquake risk management experience.

This course is particularly useful for those concerned with earthquake vulnerability reduction upon the development context. It is open to all countries. Participation by decision makers, elected and appointed national and local administrators, development and planning authorities, as well as officials in urban planning, housing, public works, and related sectors. is especially encouraged. The course is of a certain benefits to private real estate land developers, personnel from emergency response agencies, and officials from UN, NGOs, and other international agencies working on disaster risk reduction and mitigation.

The class size is limited to 25 persons. ADPC accepts nomination on a “first come, first served” basis provided the applicant meets the course requirement.

EVRC will be facilitated by internationally experienced practitioners and experts from ADPC and other partner organizations.

English.

Package A with accommodation US$ 2,825
Package B without accommodation US$ 2,075

The standard course fee of US$2,825 covers the course tuition, training materials, accommodation with breakfast, and meeting package. Participants will be responsible for their own travel expenses and arrangements, airport transfers, visa application, lunch and dinners, health/accident insurance, and other personal expenses.

Participants who wish to seek own accommodation can choose an alternative course fee package B of US$2,075

Interested persons can apply as individuals although preference will be given to those sponsored by the organizations. An application form can be submitted online on website at http://www.adpc.net/tsu/sign-in.asp.

Application form should be submitted to ADPC by 21st March 2014 through email, fax, postal mail (see ADPC contact information below) or on ADPC website. Pre-course information will be provided once you have been accepted for the course.

Payment
If you are selected to attend the course, the payment should be transferred to ADPC account through bank or International Demand Draft (DD) no later than 30th March 2014. Otherwise, your participation will be cancelled. Please note that personal cheques are not accepted as a form of payment.

Cancellations
If you are unable to attend, a substitute applicant is welcome to attend in your place, provided the participation criteria described above have been met. Cancellation of attendance should be notified at least 3 weeks prior to course commencement; in which case, a full refund less 15% of course fee for banking charges and administrative costs will be made. No refunds are available for cancellation within 3 weeks prior to course commencement.

Accommodation
Applicants are required to stay at the hotel where the training is held. The room rate is approximately US$ 50-60 per single occupancy room per night including daily buffet breakfast.

Asian Disaster Preparedness Center
Training Services Department (TSD)
979/66-70, 24th Floor SM Tower
Paholyothin Road, Samsen Nai
Phayathai Bangkok, 10400
Tel: +66 (02) 298 0681-92
Cell Phone: +6687 6977535
Fax: +66 (02) 298 0012-13
Email: tsu@adpc.net
Skype ID: ADPC_Training
URL: www.adpc.net