Strategic Disaster Risk Management

Disaster Risk Management Study Tour Organized for Chinese Government Officials from 27 September to 5 October 2004

Three Government Officials from the Qinghai Provincial Agricultural and Animal Husbandry attended a study tour on disaster risk management in Thailand from 27 September to 5 October 2004 . The study tour aimed at Strengthening the Capability of Risk Management of the Animal Husbandry Sector and Promoting Sustainable Development in the Grazing Area of Qinghai Province was organized by ADPC with funding from FAO- China.

ADPC's Executive Director, Dr Suvit Yodmani informed the group about the close cooperation and partnership activities between ADPC and China , while welcoming the Officials.

The study tour comprised of two modules: 1. Classroom Presentations and Field Visits in Bangkok and 2. Field visit to Phitsanulok Province .

Based on the needs analysis conducted prior to the study, classroom presentations were made on the fundamentals of disaster management, current trends in disaster risk management, linking disasters and development, climate and agriculture and disaster risk management as well as community-based disaster risk management by in-house experts. In Bangkok , visits to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation of the Ministry of Interior and the Department of Livestock Development of Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative were organized. Both Chinese and Thai officials exchanged experiences and information on disaster risk management and animal husbandry management during the visits. The officials were honored, by a visit the Royal Project on Animal Raising and Integrated Farming System at the Chitralada Palace , the current residence of the King of Thailand. In Phitsanulok Province , the officials met with Vice Governor and officials from relevant bureaus and agencies of the province and had relevant discussions. As part of the study the Chinese officials visited two villages in the province and were able to interact with the villagers. They were also taken to the Livestock Research Station in Phitsanulok.

The officials were greatly enriched by their experiences during the study tour and in their letter of appreciation said: “Thank you for your very warm reception during the study tour in Thailand . We got a lot of useful information and learned a lot. Although there are plenty of differences between the two countries, there are some lessons to be learned from the Thai experiences. Also the knowledge gained from ADPC on risk management can benefit our project ” - Sa Wenjun, Extension Specialist, Project Management Center , Qinghai Provincial Department of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry , China .