Capacity Building for Planning and Implementation of Flood Preparedness Programs at Provincial and District levels in the Lower Mekong Basin (Phase III, Aug-Sep, Lao PDR, Vietnam, Cambodia

• Lao PDR
  Development of a chapter on Province to Province and trans-boundary issues for the Flood Preparedness Program (FPP) manual, 14-15 Aug
  In line with the translation into Laotian of the Flood Preparedness Manual developed during Phase II of this program making it available to national, provincial, and district authorities, the Phase III project team are developing one additional chapter on Province to Province and Trans-boundary Issues that will be finalized with the Lao National Mekong Committee (LNMC) and National Disaster Management Office (NDMO).
  The 3rd quarter work plan for MRC-ADPC-ECHO III project in Lao PDR aims to assist Khammouane Provincial Disaster Management Committee (PDMC) and to support Nong Bok District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) in preparing the annual Flood Preparedness Program (FPP) and priority action areas for the year 2007 based on the Khammouane PDMC Provincial Strategy and the Five Year Action Plan. The activities for this period are as follows:
  * 16-18 Aug-ADPC, NDMO and LNMC will visit to Khammouane Province and Nong Bok District in Khammouane Province, Lao PDR, to support PDMC and Nong Bok DDMC to prepare the Khammouane and Nong Bok FPP.
  * 5-7 Sep-The ECHO III project team will conduct one day FPP Planning Workshop in Nong Bok district,
  Khammouane province, Lao PDR. The event was proposed for Monitoring and Evaluation by ECHO and MRC.

• Vietnam
  Improvement of Emergency Kindergarten Management (EKM)
  To support the Tien Giang Provincial Committee for Flood and Storm Control (PCFSC) and the District Committee for Flood and Storm Control (DCFSC) of Cai Be and Cai Lay districts in improvement of Emergency Kindergarten Management (EKM), the followings activities are planned as follows:
  * 15 Aug-the project team will visit the selected Emergency Kindergartens (EKs) for detailing the agreed activities in Vietnam.
  * 16-26 Aug, two EKs and contractual agreement with Department of Education and Training (DoET) would be finalized.
  * 1-9 Sep, the project team will conduct EKM Training in the target districts.
  Provincial Workshop on School Flood Safety Program, 29 AugTo support the DCFSC of Cai Be, Cai Lay and Chau Thanh districts in Tien Giang Province for implementation of School Flood Safety Program (SFSP), the project team will conduct one day provincial workshop on School Flood Safety Program in Tien Giang and Action Planning for future in Vietnam.

• Cambodia
  Flood Preparedness Program (FPP) Review in Khmer Language, 30 Aug
  To support Sambour and Chhloung districts in Kratie province, Cambodia, in preparation of the district Flood Preparedness Program (FPP), the project team will conduct FPP Finalization Meeting in Kratie Province. The FPP review in Khmer language will be carried out by small review group consisting of the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), ADPC, Red Cross (RC), other NGO partners and the Provincial Committee for Disaster Management (PCDM) where such program has been developed.
  Training of Trainers (ToT) on Flood Preparedness, 15 Aug for the Commune Disaster Management Committees/Teams will be conducted in Kratie province in Cambodia.
  Workshop on integration of FPP with the Commune development planning, 16-17 Sep will be conducted to facilitate integration of the FPP with the PSDD program planning in Kratie. National level participants of relevant agencies dealing with disaster and development, provincial level official and some observers from CNMC and MRC are invited. 
  Partnership for Disaster Risk Reduction Southeast Asia-(PDRSEA  Phase IV), Aug-Sept, Cambodia, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia

• Strategic Planning Workshop in Cambodia and Vietnam
  In collaboration with UNESCAP, ADPC will facilitate a National Strategic Planning Workshop in two of four project countries: in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from 15-17 August 2007 and in Hanoi, Vietnam from 9-10 August 2007, as part of ADPC’s commitment to strengthen and to institutionalize Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) into each national government systems.
  This is one of the essential activities of the project, Partnerships for Disaster Reduction Southeast Asia Phase Ⅳ (PDRSEA 4) towards drafting a national strategic plan for Cambodia and Vietnam to advocate ownership in national programs and local entities, enhancing the capabilities of CBDRM practitioners, and the expansion existing partnerships. The main thrust of this activity is to strengthen the role of NDMOs on disaster risk reduction and to promote the adoption of CBDRM by multiple development stakeholders.

• Priority Implementation Project under the RCC MDRD Program on Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction into Education Sector, Aug-Sep, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Philippines
  9-10 Aug-2nd Project Working Group (PWG)  meeting in Cambodia to assist PWG members in reviewing draft curriculum and Ministry of Education, Youth and, Sport (MoEYS) to select teachers for Training of Trainers (TOT) and to develop teacher’s manual for TOT.
  20–24 Aug-2nd Project Working Group (PWG)  meeting in Lao to review the draft curriculum and teacher’s guide and from 23- 24 August 2007 to organize TOT for 2-days at National Research Institute.
  28-30 Aug-DMS Director to attend Project Board Meeting at UNDP Bangkok office for project consultations and discussions.
  31 Aug-5 Sep-2nd PWG meeting in Philippines to review draft curriculum and teacher’s manual and to inaugurate teacher’s training at a selected province.

• NDMOs Practitioners Meetings in the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia
  The NDMOs in the four project countries will undertake activities to strengthen their partnerships with disaster management practitioners in order to institutionalize CBDRM into the development process. The partnerships with practitioners will be built on the existing networks of disaster management practitioners in the countries: Cambodia- Cambodian Disaster Risk Reduction Forum (CDRRF), Indonesia-Indonesia Society for Disaster Management (MPBI) and the Indonesian Institute for Disaster Preparedness (IIDP), the Philippines-Philippines Disaster Management Forum (PDMF), and Vietnam-Disaster Management Working Group (DMWG). A National CBDRM Recognition Scheme Committee with representatives from the NDMOs and the Practitioners Forum will be formed in order to identify the key issues in relation to institutionalization of CBDRM in the development process and identify strategies in three of the four project countries: the Philippines (August), Vietnam and Cambodia (September). It will establish procedures (means of nominations for good practices, award categories, etc.) and criteria (selection of winner, etc.) for the Recognition Scheme of CBDRM. The call for nominations of good practices will be expected afterwards.

• District Consultation Meeting in the Philippines
  On the basis of the broad framework of the pilot project and the priority sector selected, the project will conduct consultations with key stakeholders in order to draft work programs supported by related strategies for resource mobilization and participation of stakeholders. Sectoral ministries and line departments are expected to take a lead role on this activity. This consultation will help to enhance synergy with other ongoing activities, to promote active participation of key stakeholders and to finalize the work programs and related strategies.
  A two-day District Consultative Meeting will be conducted in the pilot projects in the Philippines in the last week of August and all stakeholders are expected to attend the meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to develop detailed work programs and plan as a guideline for the project implementation. The outcome is to develop a work program consisting of an overview of the district level pilot activities and to prepare detailed work plans for implementation, time lines for each activity, responsible agencies and expected outputs.

• Strategic National Action Plan (SNAP), 9-10 Aug, Cambodia    

  • 9 Aug-Constitution of Task Force and discussion on draft work plan meeting for SNAP Cambodia in coordination with World Food Programme (WFP), National Committee on Disaster Management (NCDM), Oxfam America, and Ministry of Planning (MOP) in Phnom Penh.

  • 10 Aug-Meeting with UN-DMT to discuss on proposed work plan prepared by UN/ISDR, NCDM, and ADPC to finalize the plan together with and Ministry of Planning (MoP).

Study tour on good urban governance and disaster risk reduction, 27-31 Aug, Philippines

ADPC is collaborating with CARE Bangladesh Iran in organizing a study tour on good urban governance and disaster risk reduction.  The study tour will take participants to Marikina, Antipolo and Dagupan cities in the Philippines.  The objective is to provide current examples of good urban governance initiatives in response to flooding, landslide and earthquake risks.  This is under the Strengthening Household Abilities to Responding to Development Opportunities (SHOUHARDO) project of CARE Bangladesh, wherein ADPC is giving technical assistance. To know more about the SHOUHARDO, visit more>>

16th Regional Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction Learning Workshop Building Community Resilience and Self Reliance, Jul-Aug, Thailand The 16th Regional Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR) Learning Workshop was conducted from 16-27 July 2007 in Bangkok, Thailand and covered the following modules: (M1) Context of CBDRR; (M2)  CBDRR Framework; (M3) Participatory Community Disaster Risk Assessment; (M4) Participatory Stakeholder and Resource Analysis (M5) Participatory Disaster Risk Reduction Planning; (M6) CBDRR Implementation; (M7) CBDRR Program Implementation: Challenges and Solutions; and (M8) Re-Entering the Real World: Making a Difference. This workshop promoted the sharing of relevant technical and community-based risk assessment tools and knowledge. It encouraged participants to think creatively and utilizes contemporary adult learning methods.

The curriculum tackled the issues in disaster risk management from developmental perspectives and discussed the issues and problems concerning sustainability and replication, adaptation of CBDRR practices, and integration of risk management plans with government and non-government plans. It was developed based on various inputs received from course alumni, resource persons, partner organizations, and ADPC staff during the course curriculum review process in April and May 2007, as well as during the dialogue at the 4th Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) Curriculum Review Workshop held on 22-23 May in Bangkok, Thailand, which experienced CBDRR practitioners from different national, regional, and international DRR organizations served as reviewers.

There were 36 participants who participated from organizations, Action Aid International Cambodia, Aga Khan Planning and Building Service–Pakistan, Concern Afghanistan, Concern Worldwide, Department of Hygiene and Prevention-Lao PDR, Educational Development Center-Maldives, Emst and Young Advisory Services, Fida International, Local Government Unit–the Philippines, Ministry of Atolls Development, Ministry of Health-Lao PDR, National Disaster Management Office-Lao PDR, Save the Children, Stanford University, Surf Aid International, Tearfund, UNDP the Philippines, UNICEF, the Thai Red Cross, World Vision Indonesia, World Vision International, World Vision North-Sudan.

The Regional Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR) course is one of the regional flagship courses of ADPC that promotes community action for disaster risk management is a crucial element in promoting a “culture of prevention” and creating safer communities. Community-based approaches have been an integral part of the ADPC programs since the mid 1990s. 

Regional Multi-Hazard Early Warning System: Radio and Internet Technology (RANET) Training, 6-7 Aug, Sri Lanka
Under the US Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program (US-IOTWS), ADPC co-facilitated a training on Radio and Internet Technology (RANET) for communicating early warning information. Thirty technical staff members from various government agencies in Sri Lanka participated in the training. It was conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights in Sri Lanka and US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Colombo, Sri Lanka.    

Regional Multi-Hazard Early Warning System: Risk Assessment Training, 6-8 Aug,  Cambodia
Under the Enhancing Community Resilience against Natural Disasters in Southeast Asia Project (ECR-SEA), ADPC conducted a training for the local working group in Polder User Community in Sihanoukville Province, Cambodia. The training covered risk assessment and Participatory Rapid Appraisal. It was carried out in partnership with the Cambodian Red Cross, National Committee for Disaster Management of Cambodia, Department of Meteorology, and Groupe De Recherche et D'Echanges Technologiques (GRET).  

Regional Multi-Hazard Early Warning System: Concept of Operations (CONOPS) Workshop, 8-10 Aug, Sri Lanka
The ADPC-facilitated Regional Multi-hazard Early Warning Center and the US Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program (US IOTWS) will facilitate a workshop on Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) in Colombo, Sri Lanka. CONOPS describes a system of protocols, standard decision trees, communication pathways, and other elements of a functional and effective tsunami warning system. The key workshop topic will be the practical applications of the end-to-end tsunami warning system framework in developing and identifying gaps at national, national, and regional levels. With the end goal of sustaining the tsunami warning system and enhancing it for multiple hazards warning, the workshop will also discuss potential technology and service options to address existing gaps in the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System.  

Regional Multi-Hazard Early Warning System: Regional Sharing of Best Practices: Tsunami Early Warning Systems, 13-14 Aug, Indonesia
Under the US Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System (US IOWTS), ADPC will co-facilitate a workshop entitled “Regional Sharing of Best Practices: Tsunami Early Warning Systems” in Bali, Indonesia. Participants will share best practices and lessons learned from Tsunami Early Warning Systems, including lessons learned from tsunami warning simulation exercises. Representatives from Thailand will also share information about the development of Tsunami Alert Rapid Notification System (TARNS) in Thailand. This activity will be conducted in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture-Forest Service (USFS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).     

Public Health in Complex Emergencies (PHCE-6), 13-25 Aug, Thailand
ADPC’s 6^th international PHCE course is a two-week residential fee-paying course that focuses on critical public health issues faced by humanitarian workers in complex emergencies. The goal of the course is to enhance the capacity of humanitarian assistance workers and their organizations to respond to the health needs of refugees and internally displaced persons affected by these emergencies. ADPC is conducting the course in partnership with World Education, Inc., International Rescue Committee and World Education, Inc., International Rescue Committee, American University of Beirut-Lebanon, Makerere University, Institute of Public Health-Uganda. 

Regional Multi-Hazard Early Warning System: Regional Coastal Community Resilience (CCR) Workshop, 14-16 Aug, Indonesia
ADPC will co-facilitate a workshop entitled “Regional Coastal Community Resilience (CCR) Workshop” in Bali, Indonesia. The meeting will provide an opportunity for CCR-trained partner organizations and selected US IOTWS small grant recipients to share experiences and lessons learned in applying the CCR approach as well as the future plans for communities in countries covered by the US IOTWS program. It will also identify areas to improve and adapt the CCR approach and assessment tool and provide a venue to discuss good practices and actions to enhance resilience and identify sustainability mechanisms and long-term partners for CCR.  

Community Basic Emergency Response Course (C-BERC), 15-17 Aug, Thailand
ADPC’s is conducting the Community Basic Emergency Response Course (C-BERC) in Ranong, under the Thailand Post Tsunami Sustainable Coastal Livelihoods Program funded by USAID Asia. The three day training program was based from the C-BERC training program developed by ADPC and designed to train communities on the fundamentals of emergency medical first response. ADPC is conducting the course in partnership with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and the Thai Red Cross Society (TRC). 

Community Basic Emergency Response Course, 20-24 Aug, Viet Nam
ADPC will hold a Community Level Basic Emergency Response Course (C-BERC) in Da Nang, Viet Nam.  C-BERC is a training program designed to enhance the capacity of the community to respond to emergencies and disasters.  C-BERC is a training program designed to enhance the capacity of the community to respond to emergencies and disasters.  The program educates the community to be aware of the different hazards and trains them in lifesaving skills so that they are better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities.  The purpose of C-BERC is to provide citizens with the basic skills required to handle virtually all their own needs and then to be able to respond to the needs of the community in the aftermath of a disaster.  This course is an activity under PROMISE Viet Nam, and is in partnership with the Center for International Studies and Cooperation-Vietnam (CECI-Vietnam) and Vietnam Red Cross. 

Regional Multi-Hazard Early Warning System: DART Buoy Training, 27-28 Aug,  Thailand
Under the US IOTWS Program, ADPC will co-facilitate a training on Deep-Ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis (DART) Buoy in Bangkok, Thailand. The training will cover the following topics: 1) introduction to the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (IOTWS), tsunameter array design, the significance of the DART station to Thailand’s tsunami warning system, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission’s Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the IOTWS (ICG/IOTWS); 2)  overview of the DART system and its operation and maintenance, DART communications systems, data protocols, and using GTS and other methods to obtain DART data; and 3) understanding sea levels and the use of DART data in an operational tsunami warning center.  This training will be conducted in partnership with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (US NOAA).    

Regional Course on Use of Geographic Information Services (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) in Disaster Risk Management, 27 Aug- 7 Sep, Thailand
ADPC will conduct the first regional training course on the “Use of GIS and RS in Disaster Risk Management" in  Bangkok with the collaboration of the International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) (Netherlands) and with the support of the Geoinformatics Center, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT-GIC) Bangkok, Thailand). 

25 participants from 20 countries from Asia, Middle East, Europe, Africa and USA will have the opportunity to learn essential skills and knowledge on GIS and RS and their current application in Disaster Management. They will gain practical and technical knowledge on the uses of GIS and RS in disaster prevention, preparedness and response.

Upon completing the GRSDM, participants will:

• Understand the use of GIS in assessing Hazard, Vulnerability and Risk;

• Use risk information in planning and disaster reduction through Spatial Multi-Criteria Analysis;

• Assess Spatial Data Availability and Data Infrastructure, including data sharing techniques;

• Apply GIS for Large Scale Early Warning Systems;

• Use of Participatory GIS at Community Level;

• Monitor hazards through Remote Sensing Techniques;

• Prepare Rapid Damage Assessments in order to generate a damage database.

More information on this course is available in the brochure

ADPC calendar for Training and Workshops are available at www.adpc.net. 

Emergency Response Plan Workshop, 2-12 Sep, Iran
ADPC is collaborating with UNDP Iran in organizing a workshop on "Emergency Response Plans". The workshop will be held in Kerman and Gorgan and will provide training and guidance on developing and implementing an emergency response plan. The activity is organized under a joint 5-year program between the Government of Iran and UNDP-Iran. ADPC is providing specific consulting services for this workshop.