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  Building Partnerships Video captures CBDRM good practices, 29 Apr, Philippines Center for Disaster Preparedness (CDP) and the Technical Working Group (TWG) participated in the making of a video on Mangin’s CBDRM efforts, funded by Oxfam Great Britain (GB).  Oxfam GB launched the ten-minute video of CBDRM good practices  at Makati.  The video included the Barangay Mangin-Dagupan experience in CBDM titled, “Strength in Numbers:  The Barangay as Building Block” that showcased the PROMISE-Philippines experience in strengthening the Barangay Disaster Coordinating Council (BDCC) and helping the community to get involved in CBDM.  The video included the early warning systems and other CBDM components. Promoting partnerships, 10 Apr, Philippines A covenant signing among 42 representatives from different municipalities, cities and province of Region 1 was held in the Philippines.  This ceremony was the start of a partnership to promote and mainstream disaster risk reduction into plans and programs.  Signatories included the mayors, heads of the local disaster coordinating councils, staff of the various Local Government Unit (LGU) departments, officials from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Office of Civil Defense regional offices, non-government organizations and civil society. ADPC in Action Fifth Disaster Management Practitioners' (DMP) workshop for Southeast Asia: Sustaining partnerships: Meeting the challenges of scaling-up CBDRM programs, 2-4 Apr 2008, Cambodia The 5th DMP workshop was jointly hosted by ADPC and UNESCAP in Phnom Penh under ECHO’s disaster preparedness programme (DIPECHO) funded ADPC program, Partnerships for Disaster Reduction Southeast Asia (PDRSEA). The workshop was attended by more than 150 Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) practitioners from various  at-risk communities, government agencies, non-government organizations, community-based organizations, private sector and faith-based organizations, academic institutions, the media and civil society in South East Asia and other sub-regions of Asia.   Representatives from UN agencies, regional organizations and other specialized agencies at the international, regional and national levels along with donor communities were the other participants. The workshop covered three thematic sessions: Revisiting the link between Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR) and development, sharing of best practices and lessons learned in integrating CBDRM into development plans & programs and strengthening partnerships on CBDRR. Two skill building workshops on community resilience through Hazard, Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (HVCA) and social mobilization for CBDRM were offered. Some of the key future directions identified by different DIPECHO partner countries are the following: 1. Institutional strengthening at all levels 2. CBDRM to be integrated into development plans 3. To develop CBDRM guidelines & standards and to continue with the integration of CBDRM into local socio-economic planning 4. Actions to be taken in translating and disseminating guidelines on CBDRM as a reference as well as in the documentation of leadership, resources, arrangements and materials. Regional workshop on Flood Preparedness Programs in the lower Mekong Basin, 29 Apr, Bangkok The workshop was organized by Mekong River Commission Secretariat (MRCS) with support from ADPC under the DIPECHO funded, Flood Preparedness program. The workshop provided opportunities for practitioners in the Mekong countries to share experiences, lessons learned as well as to develop partnerships to promote flood risk reduction.  There were more than 40 participants, primarily key players and policy makers from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam. News coverage: Flood Preparedness www.adpc.net or http://www.bangkokpost.com/110508_Perspective/11May2008_pers001.php Seventh meeting of the Regional Consultative Committee (RCC) on Disaster Management (RCC-7), 8-11 May, Sri Lanka The seventh meeting of the RCC on Disaster Management (RCC-7) was organized by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights, Government of Sri Lanka and ADPC in Colombo. The meeting was attended by 19 RCC member countries. The participants included representatives from the National Disaster Management Offices, National Planning Agencies and sectoral agencies. The meeting was also attended by various UN Agencies, development partners and the donors. The RCC-7 meeting had a special theme of Rights-based Community-led Disaster risk reduction. A special session on initiatives on disaster risk reduction in Sri Lanka provided an excellent opportunity for the member countries to learn more about the various initiatives been undertaken by Sri Lanka. Other highlights were session on mainstreaming disaster risk reduction into development planning and policy, thus highlighting the need to promote safer development as an element for sustainable development. News Coverage: Significant strides in disaster prevention since tsunami  www.adpc.net  Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP) updates, Apr-May, Bangladesh The second Working Group Workshop on Interim Contingency Planning was conducted on 15 Apr to identify the existing roles and responsibilities of working group members. Participants identified objectives and lead institutions.  The clusters were a) Operations Response, Emergency Services, & Transport; b) Health, Welfare, Food and Nutrition; c) Urban Crisis Planning, Recovery, Mass Media Communications & Public Information; and d) Utilities, Water and Sanitation. Honorable Mayor M. Manjur Alam inaugurated the City-level workshop on “Development of City Disaster Management Plan” on 23 Apr, an activity under CDMP in Chittagong program. A total of 71 representatives from sectoral agencies, elected representatives, universities, fire brigade and navy discussed the scenario related to Earthquake hazards in the city. Program for Hydro-Meteorological Disaster Mitigation in Secondary Cities in Asia (PROMISE) country project event updates, Apr-May Bangladesh-Bangladesh Disaster Preparedness Center (BDPC) and the Red Crescent Volunteers organized a mock drill 0n 27 May in response to multiple hazards. The drill was conducted in Girls High School, Chawk Bazar (Ward 16), Chittagong. Participants included teachers, students, and the city’s fire brigade. Indonesia- PROMISE conducted a workshop with the Technical Working Group (TWG)  on 30 April with the Jakarta Provincial Government (JPG), Jakarta PMI (Indonesian Red Cross) as the focal NGO, and local community-based organizations.  The TWG identified flood preparedness initiatives taken in the region of Jakarta and clarifications were made on information gaps. PROMISE held a focused group discussion on 7 May to discuss preparations for data collection on flood preparedness and mitigation initiatives and program done by various institution and organizations in the DKI Jakarta area. The data and the risk assessments were presented during the Training of Trainers (TOT) previously mentioned on CBDRR Initiative for Development Agencies, Local Government, Local Actors, Community Leaders and Teachers in the designated Kelurahan, at the PKK Training Center, South Jakarta. Pakistan – A workshop was conducted on Governance and Disaster Risk Reduction in Hyderabad from 26-29 May. The workshop was attended by 25 participants from District Administration, Aga Khan planning and building services, NGOs, public representatives and government officers. The workshop introduced concepts of disaster management planning and governance in the district of Hyderabad. Philippines – Typhoon Cosme (international name Halong) hit Dagupan hard with its winds on 17 May, resulting in total damage of 3,349 houses, partial damage to 15,034 houses & affecting 24,973 families. Damage to public infrastructure (school buildings, day care centers, health centers, barangay and city offices, lighting) is estimated at PhP 28.9 million (US$ 0.69 million). Estimated loss to the fishing industry was PHP 537 million (US$13 million). PROMISE-Philippines was acknowledged for having helped the city prepare against disaster.  The city and barangay disaster coordinating councils were all activated well ahead of the typhoon’s approach.  The flood early warning system was monitored non-stop, and there were no deaths in spite of the high-risk locations.  Barangay Mangin, with the highest risk, evacuated its residents and distributed its own relief reaching all residents.  The city and the Dagupan Red Cross’s relief and recovery efforts to purify water, clear roads, restore water and electrical services began immediately after the typhoon passed. Dr. Leo Carbonell, Dagupan City Health Officer, and Ms. Mayfourth Luneta, PROMISE-Philippines country coordinator, presented the PROMISE-Philippines project at two networking events- Avian Influenza Network on 5 May and the Regional workshop on Climate Change on 13 May, sponsored by the European Union and the UNDP-Bangkok regional office. Strengthening Household Abilities for Responding to Development Opportunities (SHOUHARDO) updates: ADPC is contributing to SHOUHARDO project as technical consultant for urban development by mainstreaming risk mitigation. The program is implemented by CARE Bangladesh, and funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). A multi-hazard contingency planning workshop was facilitated by ADPC, CARE Bangladesh and NGOs.  The workshop was organized at the pouroshawas of Jamalpur on 21-22 May and on 25-26 May in Cox’s Bazar.  In total, 70 participants attended the workshops. The outputs of the workshop included hazard scenarios, hazard maps, community-level and ward-level action plans and small projects. Training and Learning Governance & DRR course, 8-10 Apr, Philippines ADPC conducted the 1st Local Government Unit (LGU) course on Governance and Disaster Risk Reduction in Dagupan City. The event promoted the culture of disaster safety and resilience putting forward the element of good governance among individuals and groups involved in the bureaucratic work.  13 representatives from eight municipalities of Alcala, Asingan, La  Union, Rosales, San Fabian, Sta. Barbara, and Dagupan City and Urdaneta City attended the course.   ADPC conducts training on Contingency Action Planning, May, Bangladesh Training cum workshop on Contingency Action Planning, an activity under the  Strengthening Household Abilities for Responding to Development Opportunities (SHOUHARDO) program was held in Cox’s Bazaar and Jamalpur on 21-22 & 25-26 May respectively. The workshop was attended by 70 participants from Pouroshawa, partner NGOs and Government agencies to facilitate the contingency planning process.   ADPC conducts training on Urban Disaster Mitigation, 21-25 Apr, Bangkok UDRM conducted a course on Urban Disaster Mitigation for Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) for 31 of HFHI’s technical staff members that are involved in post-disaster housing repair and reconstruction.  Participants came from country offices in South Asia and Southeast Asia, as well as from Australia and Thailand regional offices and the headquarters in the US.  HFHI is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. ADPC conducts flagship training course on Climate Risk Management, 21 Apr-2 May 2008, Bangkok ADPC conducted the first ever training course on Climate Risk Management-Science, Institutions and Society, the first of its kind to be held in the region with 27 participants from 14 different countries. For the past two decades, ADPC, in collaboration with its partners, has developed field tested various climate risk management approaches, tools, and strategies that link climate science, institutions, and society. The lessons learned from these efforts were shared through the training course which provided mechanisms to strengthen institutional and societal capacities to manage climate risks by building the capacity of professionals in development, disaster management, and other related communities of practice, to skillfully integrate climate information into critical decision making processes. The second course will be offered from 17-28 November 2008.   Landslide Mitigation training, 23-25 Apr, Indonesia National training on regional capacity enhancement for landslide mitigation was held in Jakarta. The training was organized by Gadjah Mada University under the Asian Program for Regional Capacity Enhancement for Landslide Impact Mitigation (RECLAIM) and attended by 30 participants from Government agencies, Universities and NGOs.  The program is funded by the Royal Norwegian government.   Standardized Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR) training curriculum, Apr-May 2008 ADPC jointly with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, South Asia Regional Delegation (IFRC, SARD) is developing a standardized Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR) training curriculum.  Funded by DIPECHO, this initiative is one component of the IFRC, SARD’s project called “Building Safer Communities” which aims to improve the overall quality and impact of the CBDRR training programmes outputs in South Asia.  The CBDRR field practitioners of the National Societies of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the IFRC office in Maldives are the target audience of the curriculum. To initiate the process, a consultative meeting was undertaken with the representatives of said Red Cross/Red Crescent (RC/RC) national societies in April 2008 to collectively undertake the following workshop activities in designing a relevant curriculum for RC/RC CBDRR field practitioners: (a) audience analysis (b) tasks analysis and (c) training needs analysis. The result of the consultative meeting has been collated, analyzed and presented to said agencies during the recently concluded 6th South Asia Regional Disaster Management Working Group Meeting in May 2008. A proposed curriculum has been drafted  for review and enhancement by the Technical Working Group on CBDRR Curriculum Development, a group which was organized during the consultative meeting.    2nd regional training course on the use of GIS and Remote Sensing in Disaster Risk Management (GRDM-2) successfully completed, 5-16 May, Bangkok 19 participants from 13 countries from different parts of Asia, Africa, Europe, Middle East, and Latin America have successfully completed the training course. The course was conducted in collaboration with International Institute for Geo Information Sciences and earth Observations (ITC), the Netherland, and Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand at the AIT Conference Center (AITCC), Bangkok, Thailand. ADPC conducts DANA, 26-29 May, Bangladesh Damage and Needs Assessment Training (DANA) was conducted by ADPC for DanChurchAid (DCA) partners in Rangpur, Bangladesh. The 28 course participants were from DCA partner organizations from Nepal, India and Bangladesh. 8th Inter-regional Course on Public Health in Emergency Management in Asia and the Pacific (PHEMAP-8), 26 May-6 Jun, Bangkok The 8th Inter-regional PHEMAP course was organized by ADPC and WHO (SEARO/WPRO), with funding support from the Royal Government of Norway will be conducted. The course provided greater emphasis to the risk management, program management, operations management and leadership roles of health emergency managers. The graduates learned to address the challenges of managing emergency health risks by making improvements to the capacity of their respective health emergency management systems and institutions. The graduates are expected to contribute to the development and implementation of PHEMAP courses at national and sub-national levels. PHEMAP-9 is tentatively scheduled for October 2008. ADPC Website Resources Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP):  Information bulletin for April 2008 ADPC’s Program for Hydro-Meteorological Disaster Mitigation in Secondary Cities in Asia (PROMISE) : Information bulletin for May 2008, Quarterly Report Disaster Mitigation in Asia, Issues: 57-59 The Partnerships for Disaster Reduction - South East Asia (PDR-SEA 4): Tools & Applications * CBDRR Database http://www.adpc.net/cbdrrdb/ * First web-based course on CBDRR- Modules are as follows: Module 1 : Context of CBDRR Module 2: CBDRR Framework Module 3: Participatory Community Risk Assessment Module 4: Participatory Stakeholders and Resource Analysis Module 5 (optional): Distance Learning http://www.adpc.net/MOODLE/ * CBDRR Newsletters  more >> Forthcoming Activities National Training on Landslide Risk Management, 18-20 June, Nepal   Disaster Risk Management Training, 30 Jun-4 Jul 2008, Kabul, Afghanistan Pakistan’s GTZ Disaster Management Program officials visit ADPC , 11-14 June WGM-2 – The Program for Hydro-Meteorological Disaster Mitigation in Secondary Cities in Asia (PROMISE) will hold the Second Working Group Meeting from 26-28 Jun in Da Nang, Viet Nam. The meeting will bring together practitioners and partner organizations working with the program to share good practices for mainstreaming disaster risk reduction into urban governance. ADPC's Regional Training Schedule for 2008 more>>