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

1 Nov: Pilot testing DRR module in two selected schools at Prey Veng and Kandal province, Cambodia. H.E Chae Se will inaugurate the pilot test and ADPC is inviting other international organizations (UNICEF, ADB, WB, JICA, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, Actionaid, Cambodia Red Cross and Oxfam GB Cambodia) to join for 1st pilot test.

2 Nov: Meeting with Economic Institute of Cambodia (EIC) group to discuss on developing study paper for project activity-2 and meet with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) and the National Committee on Disaster Management (NCDM) focal persons to discuss the preparations and plans for the advocacy workshops.

12 Nov: National Consultative meeting in Lao with DIPECHO SEA to discuss DIPECHO funded on-going project activities in Lao.

Disaster Proofing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Nov, India, Bangkok

ADPC and United Nations Millennium Campaign (UNMC) launched an advocacy campaign on “Disaster Proofing the Millennium Development Goals”. It aims to promote better understanding among policy makers in governance and disaster risk reduction (DRR) community of the linkages of disasters with poverty reduction to better plan for actions required to see progress in the MDG indicators and help accelerate the MDG agenda and to raise public awareness and collaborative action through partnerships between decision makers in development, governance, and DRR. ADPC and UNMC strongly believes that disaster proofing should be the key element of the national development strategies, which are being developed towards achieving the MDGs by national governments as part of their international commitment.  

As a first step, an educational brochure was distributed in two important venues; the 2nd Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR), New Delhi India on 7-8 November 2007 and in the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) "Brainstorming Meeting of Parliamentarians Advocacy on MDG" in Bangkok, Thailand on 6-7 November 2007. 

Updates from Partnership for Disaster Risk Reduction Southeast Asia - (PDRSEA  Phase IV) 

Vietnam
22-28 Nov: Pilot Project and Recognition Scheme in Vietnam

A series of workshops have been planned to enhance participation of key national stakeholders in the formulation process of the pilot projects and to develop detail work plan as a guideline for the project implementation. Indicative pilot projects are (a) to establish a community risk reduction fund, (b) to set up a community based Early Warning Systems, (c) to set up a community level information center with strong linkages to the local Early Warning Systems and (d) to identify possible areas of integrating CBDRM into local development planning activities through engagement with district planning institution. The pilot project will demonstrate the full engagement of the community jointly with the concerned commune committees for storm and flood control. It will build on the new work done by CCSFC on developing a manual to define roles of local authorities, local mass organization and the community for storm and flood control.

15-16 Nov in Cambodia and 29-30 Nov in Vietnam National Consultation Meeting
PDRSEA will participate in the National Consultation Meetings being organized by DIPECHO in Cambodia and Vietnam. 

The Philippines
12 Nov: Project Management Committee Meeting

Bicol in Albay Province has been identified as the Pilot Project area in the Philippines, based on the criteria designed by NDCC. Communication to Albay Province has taken place between NDCC and PDCC (provincial disaster coordinating council), including ADPC in what steps to be taken. The local authority has been fully participating during the implementation of the work plan, starting from the framework formulation. The community in the selected area is expected to participate as well in the implementation. Under the supervision of the NDCC PDRSEA Project Management Committee (PMC), the local authorities will carry out work plans aimed at sustaining the integration of CBDRM into the planning, programming and development of the respective local areas. A meeting has been organized with PMC to oversee program mode regarding the project.
12 Nov: Harmonization of Module on CBDRM
To take stock on the existing curricula on DRR and local authorities in the Philippines, a meeting to harmonize this module has been organized.
13 Nov: Meeting on CBDRM Recognition Scheme

“GAWAD KALASAG” (Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan)

The GAWAD KALASAG aims to recognize outstanding performance of Local Disaster Coordinating Councils (DCCs), private/volunteer organizations, local, national and international Non Government Organizations (NGOs), Donors, and Communities providing humanitarian assistance and government emergency responders (GOERS) as major stakeholders and partners in the implementation of disaster risk reductions (DRR) programs and activities.  The NDCC through the OCD determines the awardees of the NDCC GAWAD KALASAG for individuals who exemplified deed of heroism and/or risk of life safety to protect and save others in times of emergencies and calamities in accordance with selected and applicable provisions of NDCC Memo Circular No.  04 series of 1999 dated June 25, 1999.  The existing award scheme had included PDRSEA’s CBDRM recognition scheme in the current awarding program. The GAWAD KALASAG will be revised and finalized.  

14-16 Nov: Training on CBDRM integration to development and comp. land use

The local authority in Bicol, the Philippines, will be provided with a 3-day-training on the role of local authorities and other stakeholders in CBDRM. This training will give the participant an orientation on the role of different stakeholders from the public and civil society sectors can play to promote CBDRM in the area under the leadership of the local authorities. It will also look at the benefits of involving both government and non government sectors in advancing CBDRM. The curriculum will be based on the publication produced under PDRSEA 3: CBDRM and Local Authorities, the Critical Guidelines of CBDRM, CBDRM Field Practitioners Handbook, Mekong River Commission – flood management and mitigation program land management component – consultancy report. The training will be held in local language. A new feature of the training is the session on the integration of DRR in land use planning.  

Indonesia
14 Nov: Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Working Group

DRR Indo Working Group plans to have a CBDRR country mapping to identify the good practices done by several organizations in promoting CBDRR by integrating it in their activities. PDRSEA 4 wants to take this opportunity to collaborate further with other disaster management practitioners in Indonesia by participating in the meeting on 14 November. 

Climate Risk Management: Climate Forecast Applications for Disaster Mitigation Program Coordination Meeting, 12-14 Nov, Thailand

A coordination meeting for the Climate Forecast Applications (CFA) for Disaster Mitigation Program will be hosted by ADPC in Pathumthani, Thailand. The meeting will review the progress of program implementation in Indonesia and the Philippines and plan the activities for 2008. Program partners from the Bogor Agricultural University and CARE Kupang (Indonesia) and the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Philippines) will participate in the meeting. The CFA Program is supported by the US Agency for International Development’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA). It aims to strengthen national capabilities to manage impacts of climate variability on climate-sensitive sectors.   

Climate Risk Management: Monsoon Forum, 23 Nov, Myanmar

ADPC will participate in the second Monsoon Forum in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. The Monsoon Forum aims to enhance 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. The first Monsoon Forum was held in April 2007 with 60 participants from national and local agencies and non-governmental organizations. ADPC’s support to the Monsoon Forum in Myanmar details 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.  

Climate Risk Management: Winter Forum, 28 Nov, Mongolia

Mongolia’s Winter Forum in Ulaanbaatar is being 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. The Winter Forum aims 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. In July 2007, the above-mentioned agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Early Warning Arrangement, Climate Change Adaptation, Natural Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation. ADPC’s support to the Winter Forum dovetails 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.

Regional Training schedule of 2008
Click here to view

Early Warning System: Coastal Community Resilience Training, 29 Oct-12 Nov, Vietnam

Under the Enhancing Community Resilience to Natural Disasters in Southeast Asia project (ECR-SEA), ADPC will be conducting coastal community training and assessment in Quang Tri (29 October-2 November) and Thanh Hoa Province (5-9 November). The activities aim to build the capacity of local working groups in ECR-SEA pilot communes in the two provinces to understand and assess their resilience to disasters. It is conducted in partnership with the National Hydrometeorological Service of Vietnam. The ECR-SEA project is funded by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA). 

 

Participants of the Coastal Community Resilience Training in Quang Tri Province compiled and analyzed the information collected from their field assessment in Trung Giang Commune, Gio Linh District, Quang Tri Province. (ADPC, 30 Oct 07)

 ADPC conducts the 36^th Regional Training Course on Disaster Management (DMC 36), 5-23 Nov, Bangkok

Presided by Dr. Bhichit Rattakul, Executive Director a.i. and Dr. Luis Jorge Perez-Calderon, Deputy Executive Director, ADPC, the opening ceremony of 36^th Regional Training Course on Disaster Management (DMC-36) was held on 5 Nov 2007 at the Amari Don Muang Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand. 31 participants from INGOs, Government organization, UN agencies and Red Cross Societies from 16 countries namely the People's Republic of China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Kenya, Germany, United Kingdom are attending the course.

Dr. Perez, the Course Director of DMC-36 made a brief introduction of the course followed by Dr. Bhichit welcoming the participants and delivering the opening remarks.  10 delegates from Indonesia are participating and special guests of honor from the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, Mrs. Tanti Widyastuti Hendratono, Minister-Counsellor (Information), and ADPC officials also attended the opening ceremony.  The ceremony concluded with the self-introduction by the participants followed by note of thanks by Mr. Falak Nawaz, Course Manager and the Manager of ADPC’s Training Resource Group (TRG). A welcome cocktail reception was organized in the evening of 5 Nov at the Amari Don Muang Hotel.

DMC-36 course aims to provide comprehensive disaster management knowledge and skills to enhance the capabilities of executive managers who have key disaster management responsibilities.  It is designed to enable professionals working in disaster management, development and donor agencies to effectively integrate disaster management into their development 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.

The participants with Dr. Bhichit Rattakul, Dr. Luis Jorge Perez-Calderon,
Mrs. Tanti Widyastuti Hendratono and ADPC officials

 Workshop on Advanced CBDRM, 11-13 Nov, Bangladesh

ADPC will conduct a workshop on advanced CBDRM for slum development committee members, volunteers, CARE staff and selected partner NGO staff in Cox’s Bazar porushawa.  This is under the Strengthening Household Abilities to Responding to Development Opportunities (SHOUHARDO) project of CARE Bangladesh, wherein ADPC is providing technical assistance. 

Early Warning Systems: Training on Meteorological Station Observation, 12-14 Nov, Cambodia

The Department of Meteorology (DoM) of Cambodia and ADPC will conduct a training in Phnom Penh on meteorological observation for DoM staff from 16 meteorological stations from all over the country. This is undertaken under the Enhancing Community Resilience against Natural Disasters in Southeast Asia project (ECR-SEA), which is funded by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA).  

First National Public Health and Emergency Management in Asia and the Pacific (PHEMAP) Course Coordinators Workshop, 12-16 Nov, Thailand

The Public Health and Emergency Management in Asia and the Pacific (PHEMAP) programme is designed to strengthen the national capacities for managing health risk of emergencies in Asia and the Pacific regions. As one of the activities of PHEMAP programme, the first National PHEMAP Course Coordinators Workshop will be organized in Bangkok to familiarize PHEMAP Course Coordinators with the concept of the PHEMAP course curriculum and provide guidance on conducting National PHEMAP Courses including administrative procedures and teaching methodologies. Representatives of Seven (7) member states of WHO-SEARO and eight (8) member states of WHO-WPRO will participate in the PHEMAP Course Coordinators Workshop. The collaborating partners with ADPC are WHO-WPRO, WHO-SEARO and the Royal Government of Norway.

The workshop will enable participants to conduct a national PHEMAP course:

• Based on the framework provided by the Inter-regional PHEMAP curriculum

• Based on the principles of adult learning

• Adapted to their national context

• Administered effectively and efficiently

 SAARC Workshop on Community-Based Disaster Preparedness in South Asia,  19-20 Nov, Bangladesh

ADPC will participate in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Workshop on Community-Based Disaster Preparedness (CBDP) in South Asia. The workshop will hold interesting country experiences on Mainstreaming gender issues and poverty reduction into CBDP, the different roles of community based organizations in coordinating with government agencies, good practices in using local knowledge and up-scaling CBDP, and building community resilience and capacity.   

SAARC, a strong partner of ADPC, was established when its Charter was formally adopted on 8 December 1985 by the Heads of State or Governments of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. 

Early Warning Systems: Back-to-back 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, will hold a back-to-back workshop on Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and Tsunami Alert Rapid Notification System (TARNS). The workshop will give participants an overview of 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. This is 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.  

National Training Course on Landslide Risk Management, 4- 6 Dec, Sri Lanka

The program for the Regional Enhancement of Capacity for Landslide Impact Mitigation (RECLAIM II) will have a national training course on Landslide Risk Management in Kandy and Galle, Sri Lanka.  The course aims to develop capability and resilience of communities at risk from landslides by promoting local awareness and training, and the introduction of effective alternative, low–cost and indigenous measures for monitoring and mitigating landslides.  It is organized by the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) in cooperation with the Asian Disaster Prevention Center (ADPC) and the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI). 

Climate Risk Management: Thirteenth Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (COP 13), 7-14 Dec, Indonesia

ADPC is participating in a side event on climate change adaptation targets organized by ETC International at the Thirteenth Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (COP 13), Bali, Indonesia. ADPC will present the preliminary results of its study on climate change adaptation targets in Mongolia, which is supported by ETC International under the Netherlands Climate Assistance Program.