Updates from Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction into Education Sector in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Philippines-Priority Implementation Project under the RCC MDRD Program 

Cambodia
20–21 Dec (Tentatively scheduled): A Project Working Group (PWG) meeting will be conducted to discuss for advocacy workshop and suggestion on draft study paper presented by Economic Institute of Cambodia (EIC) and to conduct additional Training of Trainers (TOT) in Phnom Penh. Pilot testing will be administered in other schools after budget approved and confirmation date from Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS). About 48 teachers from Kratie, Kandal and Prey Veng provinces would be trained to teach the disaster risk reduction (DRR) module. 

Lao PDR
17 Dec: PWG meeting will be conducted to discuss the preparations for the advocacy workshop. Suggestions on draft study paper will be solicited presented by Urban Research Institute (URI). Evaluation on the teaching methodology of the DRR module in schools in Sayaboury province would follow after PWG meeting. 

8–10 Jan 2008: Additional TOT will be conducted in Vientiane or Bolikhamsay province. Pilot testing will be administered in other schools after the budget is approved and a date is confirmed by the National Research Institute for Educational Sciences (NRIES). About 52 teachers from Khammoune province and Vientiane would be trained to teach DRR module. 

The Philippines
10–14 Dec: TOT and pilot testing the DRR module in schools at Southern Leyte, Visayas, Philippines was conducted. About four teachers from private schools and four teachers from public schools were trained. An evaluation on the teaching methodology of the DRR module in class rooms were facilitated at St. Bernard National High school, Southern Leyte. 

12–13 Dec: PWG meeting was conducted at National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) office with collaboration activities with stakeholders and planning for an advocacy workshop. Center for Disaster Preparedness (CDP) discussed the methodology and analysis of the draft study paper.  

DIPECHO National Consultation Meeting
Following the success of the strategic dialogue undertaken in South East Asia (SEA) as part of the strategic planning process for the 5th DIPECHO Action Plan for SEA, DIPECHO SEA has once again engaged with partners, practitioners, government agencies and donor institutions in a consultative dialogue contributing to the formulation of the DIPECHO strategy for the 6th Action Plan SEA.

A series of national consultative meetings (NCM) engaged the primary natural disaster risk reduction stakeholders in DIPECHO SEA countries. Significant discussions focused on 1. an exploration of some of the key lessons learned from past disaster risk management actions in each country at multiple levels, and 2. an examination of the strategic perspectives of both the government and representatives of the donor community in natural disaster risk reduction, related to, and beyond, the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005 - 2015. 

ADPC has engaged in strategic dialogues in national meeting in Cambodia and regional meeting in Thailand. ADPC participated in the NCM in Philippines from 13–14 Dec and in Indonesia from 17–18 Dec. 

Monsoon Forum, 23 Nov, Myanmar
ADPC supported holding of the second Monsoon Forum in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. The Monsoon Forum enhanced the uptake of seasonal climate forecasts in disaster mitigation activities by encouraging a constant dialogue between the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) and forecast users. It was attended by 60 participants from national and local agencies and non-governmental organizations. DMH presented the verification of the forecast issued for May to November as well as its winter forecast (November to February). The participants presented their activities during the past season with focus on how they incorporated forecast in their planning and operations. ADPC’s support to the Monsoon Forum in Myanmar confirms with its broader goal of building the capacity of countries to mitigate disaster risks by linking national hydro-meteorological agencies to sectors that are vulnerable to climate risks, notably agriculture, water resources, health, and disaster management.  

A representative from Myanmar National Red Cross Society presented his organization’s activities during the 2007 monsoon season.

Winter Forum, 28 Nov, Mongolia
ADPC supported g the first Winter Forum in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The Winter Forum , which was attended by 35 participants from various government agencies and nongovernmental organizations. The forum was held to 1) ensure that forecast products, including their uncertainties and limitations, are understood by and communicated to users; 2) encourage climate forecast applications for mitigating risks in various climate-sensitive sectors; and 3) provide a platform for inter-agency coordination of policies and programs for dealing with potential impacts of climate-related hazards during the winter season. It was organized and hosted by the National Agency for Meteorology, Hydrology and Environment Monitoring of Mongolia (NAMHEM), in partnership with the National Emergency Management Agency of Mongolia (NEMA), Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), Ministry of Nature and Environment (MNE), and ADPC. NAMHEM presented the winter season outlook, winter and spring pasture carrying capacity, and the ice regime of Mongolian rivers. Since it was the first Winter Forum, the presentation of forecasts were preceded by a discussion on NAMHEM’s products and services, forecast terminologies, and overview of climate risk and trends in Mongolia. Three Chinese delegates from the meteorological agency in Inner Mongolia also participated in the Forum to present their winter 2007/08 forecast for the Inner Mongolia region. ADPC delivered a short presentation on ADPC’s work in the area of forecast application for disaster mitigation. ADPC’s support to the Winter Forum confirms with its broader goal of building the capacity of countries to mitigate disaster risks by linking national hydro-meteorological agencies to sectors that are vulnerable to climate risks, notably agriculture, water resources, health, and disaster management.

 

A forecaster from the National Agency for Meteorology Hydrology and Environment Monitoring (NAMHEM) presented a review of climate risks and trends in Mongolia. He noted the increasing number of snow disasters in the country.

4^th National Health Emergency Management Convention, 2-5 Dec, Philippines
ADPC participated at the 4^th National Health Emergency Management Convention organized by the Health Emergency Staff of the Department of Health in the Philippines (HEMS-DOH) with funding support from the World Health Organization (WHO) in Manila, Philippines.  

The Health Emergency Management Convention is a biennial activity of the Health Emergency Management Staff of the Department of Health primarily aimed to provide a productive venue to renew acquaintances in order to enhance camaraderie of the health sector members; to open the door of learning and sharing lessons learned in every disaster; to give chance to present updates and new technologies on emergency or disaster management; to bring about the burning issues on emergencies or disasters to create awareness as well as to solicit support from all the concerned authorities to effect better preparedness as well as more cohesive cooperation and collaboration among the stakeholders in emergency response. 

This Convention with the theme on “Using Data for Action: Transforming Human Tragedy to Organizational Preparedness” was the highlight activity for the “Health Emergency Week” in the country. This activity was participated by health emergency management coordinators, managers, and policy makers from the various members of the health sector. The objectives of the convention were to provide an avenue for sharing of experiences and lessons learned to all members of the health sector; and to bring the burning issues on emergency management to the attention of the managers and policy makers in order to solicit their support.  Presentations were zeroed in the following disaster experiences: “Ultra Stampede”; “Guinsaugon Landslide”; “Guimaras Oil Spill”; “Chemical Spill in Makati”; “Typhoon Reming”; and other related interesting cases/topics (local and international scope). The HEMS-DOH also presented the map of the department’s emergency management assets. Along with the other international organizations and government agencies presentations,  ADPC’s Health Initiatives in Asia and the Pacific Region were also presented.  

Strengthening Disaster Preparedness in Agriculture Sector, 7-21 Dec, China
ADPC was on mission to Beijing and Juye County, Shandong Province, China to conduct 1) site profiling and assessment of existing institutional system for disaster risk management in Shandong Province 2) training on community-based disaster risk management (CBDRM) for county, township, village committee and farmers cooperatives’ representatives; 3) facilitate CBDRM process in one pilot village; and 4) discuss and initiate disaster risk management plan preparation for 2008 in all pilot sites. These activities were undertaken under a Technical Cooperation Program of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN and China.

Meeting on Research Policy and Management of Risks in Life Science Research for Global Health Security, 10-12 Dec, Thailand
The World Health Organization requested ADPC to provide the local arrangements for the WHO meeting on Research Policy and Management of Risks in Life Science Research for Global Health Security. Representatives of Ministries of Health from Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Lao PDR, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam participated in the meeting. The organizer was World Health Organization and the objectives of the meeting were to:

• Present and discuss the public health risks posed by the advances of life science research;

• Exchange knowledge and experience of policies and best practices related to the risks posed by life science research;

• Discuss the different risk management options;

• Learn about the needs and priorities of countries;

• Draft recommendations of research policy and risk management for further action.
   

Strengthening Community-based Approaches to the Management of Avian and Human Influenza, 11 Dec, Cambodia
ADPC’s mission to Phnom Penh, Cambodia were to raise awareness of the above-named project among stakeholders in Cambodia and to seek their guidance on identifying case studies for inclusion in project outputs, such as a regional workshop and regional toolkit which will be implemented in 2008. The main briefing took place at the Cambodia’s Partnership Meeting on Avian and Pandemic Influenza hosted by UNDP. In addition, WHO, FAO, Medicam, AED and UNICEF provided valuable inputs in bilateral discussions. Collaborating Partners were Asian Development Bank, CARE, International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International Rescue Committee, many other stakeholders, and ADPC

 

Seventh National Public Health in Emergency Management in Asia and the Pacific (PHEMAP-7 Vietnam), 15-19 Oct, Vietnam
Seven National PHEMAP Courses were conducted in Vietnam.  Six (6) were held in Hanoi in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH), Hanoi School of Public Health and WHO. A national PHEMAP Course was conducted in Ho Chi Minh City, the first ever in the South of Vietnam, under the supervision of the Ho Chi Minh Institute of Hygiene and Public Health (IHPH) and in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), Ministry of Health (MOH), Hanoi School of Public Health and Government of Norway.  

The main speakers/facilitators and members of the organizing team were representatives from MOH, WHO, IHPH-some of who were graduates/alumni of the PHEMAP Inter-regional courses. The National PHEMAP-7 (Vietnam) had 25 participants from the different provincial health ministries in the South of Vietnam. As part of the PHEMAP Programme component, ADPC sent a representative to observe the conduct of the national PHEMAP course and to provide input and feedback in terms of administration and group work exercises. The observations and input gathered during the national course were made as reference in the development, preparation and conduct of the First National PHEMAP Course Coordinators’ Workshop in November 2007.  

Workshop on Concept of Operations and Tsunami Alert Rapid Notification System (TARNS), 21-22 Nov, Myanmar
ADPC and the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar convened a back-to-back workshop on Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and Tsunami Alert Rapid Notification System (TARNS). The workshop was attended by 40 representatives from various government agencies, universities, nongovernmental organizations, media, and local government units. Presentations about CONOPS, a tool that assists national tsunami warning centers (NTWC) in mapping the operational flow of hazard and non-hazard information between organizations, defines the intra-department reporting relationships within the NTWC, and develops a robust  decision making process for the generation of tsunami warnings, and TARNS, a set of protocols and procedures for quick and accurate dissemination of tsunami advisories or warnings from the NTWC to all relevant national and local officials and the public, were delivered during the workshop. It was the first in a series of activities that are aimed at strengthening Myanmar’s tsunami warning system under the ADPC-facilitated “End-to-end early warning of tsunamis and other natural hazards for disaster preparedness and mitigation in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia,” which is funded by the Multi-donor Voluntary Trust Fund on Tsunami Early Warning Arrangements in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia.  

A focus group discussion on the gaps and weaknesses of  tsunami warning systems in Myanmar

Regional Experience Sharing Workshop on Exercise Management in ASEAN+3 countries, 27-28 Nov, Thailand
The primary objective of the workshop held in Bangkok was to share experience in conducting exercises for communicable disease emergencies in ASEAN+3 countries. Representatives of the Ministries of Health from Brunei, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand participated in the workshop. The output of the workshop contributed to the process of developing an exercise management training package to enhance the knowledge and skills of people who have responsibility for conducting exercises at regional, sub-regional, national and sub-national levels. Collaborating partners were USAID, Ministry of Public Health of Thailand, Kenan Institute Asia and ADPC. 

United Nations/China Regional UN-SPIDER Workshop, 3-5 Dec, China
ADPC participated in the United Nations/China Regional UN-SPIDER Workshop: “Building Upon Regional Space-based Solutions for Disaster Management and Emergency Response” at Shenzhen.  The workshop was jointly organized by the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs and China National Space Administration in order to discuss the status of space technology for disaster management and emergency response within the region.  

ADPC conducts Community Based Disaster Risk Management course, 3-7 Dec, Krygyzstan
ADPC together with Centre for Comprehensive Disaster Reduction (CCDR) Tajikistan and UN-ISDR-Central Asia, organized a one week course on “Community Based Disaster Risk Management” at Bishkek, Krygyzstan. The course was hosted and delivered in the office of the Centarl Asian Institute for Applied Geo-sciences (CAIAG), Bishkek. This course was in continuation of other courses which ADPC and CCDR have run since 2006 at Tajikistan. More courses are planned in Tajikistan and Uzbikistan in 2008. There were 34 participants from different governement , NGOs and donnor agencies. The participants came from Krygyzstan, Turkaminstan, Uzbikistan, Kazakhastan, Tajikistan and Serbia. The course along with the reading materials were delivered in Russian language.

National Seminar Workshop on Landslide Risk Mitigation, 4-6 Dec, Sri Lanka
The Landslide Risk Mitigation workshops were conducted in Kandy and Galle, Sri Lanka. The workshops were organized under RECLAIM Phase II project of ADPC’s Urban Disaster Risk Management (UDRM) in partnership with the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO)-Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights, Sri Lanka. 

1^st National PHEMAP Adaptation Workshop, 5-9 Dec, Mongolia
The objectives of the first national PHEMAP Workshop in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia were to introduce the PHEMAP Program and the different issues that a health emergency manager needs to address to effectively manage emergencies and disasters; and b) discuss how the materials developed in the Inter Regional PHEMAP Course can be adapted in Mongolian context to develop a National PHEMAP Program. 

Around 24 participants representing the National Center for Health development (NCHD), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ulaanbaatar Health Department, Emergency Department (103 Center), National Central Hospital, Trauma and Orthopedic Hospital, National Center for Communicable Diseases, Dornogobi Medical College, Gobi-Altai Medical College, and Darkhan–Uul Medical college attended the course. Collaborating Partners were Ministry of Health- Mongolia, World Health Organization and ADPC.

ADPC conducts Community Based Disaster Risk Management course, 10-14 Dec, Sri Lanka
ADPC together with RedR UK, organized a one week course on “Community Based Disaster Risk Management” at Colombo, Sri Lanka. This course was the continuation of other courses which ADPC and RedR have organized since 2006 at Wadua, Sri Lanka. There were 23 participants from different governement , and NGOs sector.

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Announcements

Regional Training Schedule of 2008

Code	Course Title	Date & Duration	Location	Fee
HMRA-2	Hydro-Meteorological Risk Assessment and Community Preparedness
Mar  |2 weeks			|Bangkok	TBA
DMC-37	Disaster Management Course
17 Mar- 4 Apr  |3 weeks			|Bangkok	2500 US$
CRM	Climate Risk Management-Science, Institutions and Society
21 Apr-2May  |2 weeks			|Bangkok	2000 US$
PHEMAP-8*	Public Health and Emergency Management in Asia and the Pacific
5-16 May  |11 days			|Bangkok	2400 US$
FDRM-9	Flood Disaster Risk Management
9-20 Jun  |2 weeks			|Bangkok	2000 US$
PHCE-7	Public Health in Complex Emergencies
11-23 Aug  |2 weeks			|Bangkok	2500 US$
GDRR-3	Regional Course on Governance and Disaster Risk Reduction
1-5 Sep  |5 days			|Bangkok	TBA
EVRC-7	Earthquake Vulnerability Reduction for Cities
6-17 Oct  |2 weeks			|Bangkok	TBA
PHEMAP-9*	Public Health and Emergency Management in Asia and the Pacific
6-17 Oct  |2 weeks			|Bangkok	2500 US$
HEPR-6	International Course on Hospital Emergency Preparedness and Response
20-24 Oct  |5 days			|Bangkok	1500 US$
DMC-38	Disaster Management Course
10-28 Nov  |3 weeks			|Bangkok	2500 US$
CBDRR-17	Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction
TBA  |2 weeks			|Bangkok	2000 US$
GRSDM-2	Use of GIS and Remote Sensing in Disaster Risk Management
TBA  |2 weeks			|Bangkok	2000 US$

* By invitation (WHO/MOH participants) Fee-paying participants
(US$ 2,500 per person)
TBA – To be announced

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PUBLIC HEALTH IN EMERGENCIES (PHE): 2008 Calendar of Events

Activity code	Title of Activity	Duration	Date	Location	Remark
PSSMH	Conference on Strengthening and Sustaining Capacity to Manage Psychosocial Aspects of Disasters and Complex Emergencies	2 days	22-23 Jan	Bangkok, Thailand	By invitation only
EXMAN	Exercise Management (Kenan Institute)	5 days	28 Jan – 1 Feb	Bangkok, Thailand	By invitation only
ADB-AHI-NGO	Regional Forum on Strengthening Community-based Approaches to Avian and Human Influenza (AHI)	monthly	every 1st Thursday of the month (starting 7 Feb onwards)	Bangkok, Thailand	By invitation only
ADB-AHI-NG0	Regional Practitioners’ Workshop on Strengthening Community-based Approaches to Avian and Human Influenza (AHI)	3 days	18-22 Feb	Bangkok, Thailand	By invitation only
EXMAN	Exercise Management (ASEAN + 3)	5 days	3-7 Mar	Bangkok, Thailand	By invitation only
PHEMAP-8	8th Inter-regional Course on Public Health in Emergency Management in Asia and the Pacific	11 days	5-16 May	Bangkok, Thailand	• By invitation (WHO/MOH participants) • Fee-paying participants (US$2,500 per person)
PHCE-7	7th Training Course on Public Health in Complex Emergencies	12 days	11-23 Aug	Bangkok, Thailand	Fee-paying participants (US$2,400 per person)
PHEMAP-9	9th Inter-regional Course on Public Health in Emergency Management in Asia and the Pacific	11 days	6-17 Oct	Bangkok, Thailand	• By invitation (WHO/MOH participants) • Fee-paying participants (US$2,500 per person)
HEPR-6	6th International Course on Hospital Emergency Preparedness and Response	5 days	20-24 Oct	Bangkok, Thailand	Fee-paying participants (US$1,500 per person)
National PHEMAP CCW-2	2nd National Public Health in Emergency Management in Asia and the Pacific (PHEMAP) Course Coordinators’ Workshop	5 days	17-21 Nov	Bangkok, Thailand	By invitation only