Editorial
Dear Readers, In the past two months Asia has witnessed two horrific events in the form of Cyclone Nargis and the earthquake that struck SW China.  In light of the devastation and seemingly insurmountable odds, ADPC conveys its heartfelt condolences to the families of all victims of these events.  These tragedies continue to unfold and have in turn revealed several post-disaster issues and concerns that have challenged national and international capacities to respond.  It is perhaps the true tragedy of these events that they are not unique, but are yet another chapter in Asia’s long history of disasters; and our own efforts to mitigate these over the last twenty-two years.  It is clear that immediate and long-term Disaster Risk Reduction initiatives remain priorities throughout Asia and we shall continue to work with all governments to facilitate their development and inclusion in national policies. In the midst of these events, Cyclone Nargis provided the opportunity for the first successful operation of the experimental forecasting capacities of the Multi-hazard Early-warning Center.  ADPC provided experimental forecasts and simulations of the pressure, wind speed and rainfall of Cyclone Nargis to the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology from April 26 until land-fall with a high-degree of accuracy that was greatly appreciated by the Government of Myanmar.  However, Cyclone Nargis also provided an apt demonstration of the need for establishing comprehensive end-to-end early-warning systems, the provision of information being only one part therein.  This month, however, does begin with positive news in that ADPC is pleased to announce that it has relocated its main office from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Pathumthani, where it has been based since its founding in 1986, to Sanam Pao in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area.  The ADPC-facilitated Regional Multi-Hazard Early Warning Center continues to operate from AIT.  Please browse through our website www.adpc.net for our complete contact details, more ADPC news updates, publications, events and the training calendar for 2008. On that note, I now inform you about our activities for the months of April-May 2008. Dr. Bhichit Rattakul Executive Director Asian Disaster Preparedness Center