The Asia Pacific region faces heavy human and economic losses from disasters, whose frequency and intensity is increasing drastically in recent years. The evidence from the Indian Ocean & Japanese Tohoku Region Tsunami; Kashmir, China and Christchurch earthquake; Cyclone Nargis; Pakistan and Thailand floods, Afghanistan blizzard, and other events happening in the region and around the world undoubtedly reflect the level of devastation that disasters can bring.

To reduce the impact of disastrous events on communities and support sustainable development, the Regional Training Course on Disaster Management or DMC aims to provide necessary and useful fundamental knowledge and skills of disaster management to enhance the capabilities of managers who have key disaster management responsibilities. The subjects covered in the DMC are multi-hazard, multi-level, multi-agency, and multi-disciplinary, and address both event-related activities as well as those activities which need to be undertaken on a day-to-day basis prior to the occurrence of events. The course is designed to enable professionals working in disaster manage- ment, development and donor agencies to effectively integrate disaster management into their programs and policies. Participants will be encouraged to develop key skills and adopt proactive attitudes through participation in interactive lectures and reflection on a range of key issues raised during discussions and practical activities.

By completing the course, participants should gain a sound grasp of disaster management processes and be able to apply this knowledge to:

• Identify and assess disaster risks using risk management approached
• Plan and develop effective strategies and systems for disaster risk reduction
• Develop effective processes for preparedness planning in order to improve disaster response and recovery activities
• Effectively and efficiently set up and utilize an emergency coordination center to manage disaster events
• Address and assess key implementation issues and requirements in disaster management

Conducted over a period of three weeks, the course is divided into eight modules following the flow of the disaster management process:

Module 1: Introduction to Disaster Management

• Global disaster risk situation
• Basic concepts and terminologies used in disaster management
• Overview of disaster management

Module 2: Disaster Risk Identification and Assessment

• Introduction to disaster risk management processes
• Introduction to hazards, vulnerability, and capacity
• Hazard, vulnerability, capacity and risk assessment

Module 3: Disaster Risk Reduction

• Disaster and development
• Prevention and Mitigation framework
• Mainstreaming DRR in development planning
• Disaster risk reduction practices

Module 4: Disaster Preparedness Planning

• Overview of preparedness planning processes and concepts
• Preparedness planning processes in key areas such as: Setting up a preparedness planning committee; Achieving agreement on preparedness arrangements; Documenting preparedness arrangements; Conducting preparedness training; Testing preparedness arrangements

Module 5: Emergency Response

• Emergency response management principles and concepts
• Key response implementation considerations
• Use of emergency coordination centers
• ICT in emergency responses and management

Module 6: Disaster Recovery

• Disaster recovery and reconstruction: concepts, practice and guidelines
• Damage and loss estimation in recovery planning

Module 7: Making Disaster Management Work

• Cross-cutting considerations
• Working with multi-agency teams
• Policy, legal and institutional frameworks
• Public communication
• Media in disaster management

Module 8: Re-entering the Real World: Making a Difference

• Development of personal action plans

Note: The above contents are shown for guidance only. ADPC’s ongoing course improvement process may lead to some changes in topics and structure.

The course is beneficial to the following:

• Government Officials responsible for disaster management policy and plans
• IFRC/ICRC, international NGOs, NGOs involved in the areas of disaster risk reduction, response and recovery
• Staffs from training institutes and other agencies responsible for knowledge dissemination on disaster risk reduction and management, as well as training of trainers
• Persons involved in coordination of disaster management activities (e.g. including also the defense forces and emergency services)
• Staffs of UN agencies

The content of the course concentrates on an Asia context with some references from other regions. However, both Asian and non-Asian participants are highly welcome. All representatives from the different regions, organizations and backgrounds are encouraged to interact, discuss, and make connections to ensure the greatest benefit is gained from attending the course.

The class size is limited to 30 persons. ADPC accepts nomination on a first come, first served basis provided the applicant meets the course requirement.

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

Accommodation
Applicants are highly recommended to stay at the hotel where the training is held. The room rate is approximately US$70-90 per single occupancy room per night including daily buffet breakfast.

Course Fee
Package A with accommodation US$4,150
Package B without accommodation US$2,775

The standard course fee of US$4,150 covers course tuition, training materials, single accommodation with breakfast (20 nights), two break refreshments & lunch (Monday-Friday) during the training, and study visits. Participants will be responsible for their own travel expenses and arrangements, airport transfers, visa application, lunch on weekends, all 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$2,775.

Logistics
Participants are expected to arrive on 4th November 2012 and leave on 24th November 2012.

Registration
Interested persons can apply as individuals although preference will be given to those sponsored by the organizations.

The application can be submitted online via www.adpc.net or offline through email, fax, or postal mail before 12th October 2012. The application form is available for download at ADPC website. A more detailed course information will be sent to only accepted participants.

Payment
If you are selected to attend the course, the payment should be transferred to ADPC account through bank or International Demand Draft (IDD) no later than 15th October 2012. 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 that 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.