Disaster Mitigation
in Asia

31 May 2007
Issue No. 47

The Program for Hydro-meteorological Disaster Mitigation in Secondary Cities in Asia (PROMISE), funded by USAID/OFDA, commenced from October 2005. Through consultations with a number of ADPC partners, five project countries have been selected – Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam – for implementing demonstration projects in each country in a highly vulnerable city with recent history of hydro-meteorological disasters. Other components of the program consist of capacity building, risk management advocacy, networking and dissemination initiatives in the selected countries. The objective of the program is to contribute towards reduction of vulnerability of urban communities through enhanced preparedness and mitigation of hydro-meteorological disasters in South and Southeast Asia. The main activities from April to June 2007 are: local-level skills training, planning for the conduct of national courses, and implementing the small-scale mitigation projects for each city.

PROGRAM ACTIVITIES for May and June 2007:

·         BANGLADESH – BDPC conducted four ward-level CBDRM courses during the reporting month at Wards 2, 11, 37 and 41.  The emphasis of the course is on community risk assessment and the development of community action plans for reducing their vulnerability. With the assistance of BDPC and the respective Ward Disaster Risk Management Committees of each ward, three trained change agents (CAs) facilitated each of the courses.  Initiatives for raising capacity and reducing vulnerability came out as a result of the process.  The school awareness event scheduled for May was rescheduled for the first week of June due to the ongoing summer vacation and entrance examinations in the schools.  The main purpose of the planned event is to create awareness about the importance of having school disaster management plan.

·         PAKISTAN – AKPBS(P) submitted four small-scale community-based risk mitigation projects for review.  The projects were designed in consultation with communities and involving representatives of the local government.  The projects are: Reducing Physical Vulnerability through Developing Flood Mitigation Infrastructure; Street-Raising and Improving Storm Water Drainage Line of Ali Abad; Improving Main Pumping Station in Union Council 13; Rehabilitation of Drainage Nala in Union Council 2.  An orientation program for the school children in Amir Public School was organized on April 30; 45 children attended. The purpose was to orient the young children with basic knowledge on disasters, its implications on lives and livelihood and few tips on preventive and post disaster events.  Preparations have begun for two training workshops that will be held in June.  One workshop is on Search and Rescue and Medical First Response (SAR-MFR).  The second is on Resource Acquisition.  Participants will come from the Disaster Management Committees formed at the union level.

·         PHILIPPINES – CDP and Dagupan City’s Technical Working Group (TWG) made extensive preparations for the Flood Response Simulation scheduled for 31 May 2007 in Dagupan City.  Activities included a review of documents including the disaster risk mitigation plans of Dagupan City and of the eight pilot barangays, their respective evacuation plans, disaster coordinating council structures, roles and responsibilities.  PROMISE Philippines project coordinator Mayfourth Luneta, the simulation director and consultant Maris Palencia held briefings on the simulation for the TWG and representatives of each barangay.  The Simulation Control Team was constituted with the following members: Ms. Maris Palencia as Simulation Director and Consultant; Mr. Honorio de Dios as Co-Simulation Director and Consultant; team members were Ms. Mayfourth D. Luneta, Mrs. Emma Molina, Mrs. Athena Arenas, and Mr. Rhoderick Dawis.  Visits to each barangay and around the city were made to verify the accuracy of evacuation plans.  Scenarios were written for the simulation, and the site of the simulation (Barangay Mangin) was prepared to assure logistics and signs were in place, and volunteers were briefed on the procedures.  An estimated 250 participants and observers joined the simulation coming from the eight pilot barangays, the City Disaster Coordinating Council, Bantay Dagupan (the civic organization deputized by the city to help maintain peace and order), local civic organizations, the Philippine National Red Cross, Dagupan City Mayor Benjamin S. Lim, officials from neighboring cities and municipalities, the Region 1 Disaster Coordinating Council, and the Office of Civil Defense. The event was covered by different media organizations including the ABS CBN channel.  The assessment by the TWG of the exercise/simulation is scheduled for June 1.  Next month’s activity is the preparation for the events of July 16 Disaster Preparedness Day.  

Mr. Michele Cocchiglia of UN ISDR informed CDP that their case study of the PROMISE Philippines project in Dagupan was accepted for the UN ISDR Publication Community Based Disaster Risk Management & Local Governance.  The publication is a compilation of good practices in community-based disaster risk reduction.  The publication will be launched at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva on June 4, 2007.  The forum was launched by the UN ISDR as a global consultative process.  
The publication can be downloaded

·         SRI-LANKA – Sarvodaya continued organizing student volunteers as the trainers as part of establishing an Early Warning System for Kaluganga River.  Small scale community based risk mitigation projects were identified and were locations selected.  The Medical First Response training was scheduled for May 21 to 25, and preparations for the event began in this period.  PROMISE Sri Lanka has a new project manager, Priyanka Mudalige.

·         VIETNAM – CECI conducted the last CBDRM training class at the community level (section clusters), in one of the three most vulnerable wards identified in the PVCA.  Around 20 community representatives attended the training, including head of sections, representatives of community based organizations. The disaster preparedness plans (DDP), output of the CBDRM training classes are being developed and finalized by each section clusters. These DDP will be the reference for development of DPP at ward level and the basis for investment on the subprojects by the project.  The house construction program was completed this month, contributed by CECI to the PROMISE Viet Nam project. A total of 21 houses were rebuilt and 10 houses repaired applying the safe construction techniques resistant to storms and floods.  Finally, the development of guidelines and poster for safer house construction techniques is still ongoing.

A. FROM THE REGION

(1) Floods and heavy rain in Sri Lanka, 7 May 2007

(based on reports from AlertNet)

Heavy rainfall and strong winds in a number of areas including Colombo since yesterday (3rd May) has resulted in deaths, overflowing of the drainage system, floods, traffic blocks and power failures.  The most affected Districts are Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Galle.  Around 40,139 families were affected and17 deaths were reported by May 7. 
Click here for full report: more>>. 
Click here for map: more>>

(2) Uttaradit province prepared for flash floods, 13 May 2007(based on reports from the Bangkok Post)

Uttaradit was hit by mountain run-off and flash floods on May 13.  Heavy rain over several days swept down mud and stones, damaging local roads and paralyzing land transportation in the province.  There were no reports of any casualties.  The military mobilized troops in the province to help remove mud and stones blocking local roads and assist flood affected residents, monitored flood levels, and prepared for evacuating residents if necessary.

As early as May 5, the Department of Mineral Resources had warned northern residents to beware of mudslides and mountain run-offs because of forecasted heavy downpours.  In Uttaradit alone, a warning was sent to 147 villages in eight districts susceptible to flash floods and landslides.  In Phitsanulok, residents and tourists were strongly advised to avoid waterfalls along Khek Noi river where water levels were reported to be rising to avert a tragedy similar to the one in Trang last month where 38 tourists were killed in flash floods at Sairoong and Phrai Sawan waterfalls in Kao Banthad wildlife sanctuary park while celebrating the Songkran festival holiday.

 

(3) Storm surge swamps Asian coasts, 15 May 2007(based on reports from AlertNet)

Waves from an Indian Ocean storm surge swamped coastal areas in Southeast Asia and dozens of islands in the low-lying Maldives.  Giant waves triggered by intense winds came from thousands of kilometres away south of Cape Town in South Africa.  The waves travelled northeast for nearly 4,000 km (2,500 miles) over three days before slamming into Reunion Island on May 12, then Madagascar, the Maldives and finally Indonesia.  The waves reached nearly 7 meters high in some areas.  Sukabumi regency in West Java was one of the areas worst hit last week, with more than 600 people fleeing their homes 

(4) China drought threatens water supply for millions, 15 May 2007(based on reports from AlertNet)

A spring drought is intensifying across north China because of minimal rainfall and high temperatures.  The two factors are drying up reservoirs and farmland, and threatening drinking water supplies for millions.  A total of 186,000 wells and 157 reservoirs in the northwestern region of Ningxia had dried up.  Damaged or destroyed crops reached 11 million hectares, with 4.8 million people and as many cattle are short of drinking water.  Among the hardest hit is Henan province, the country's bread basket, where rainfall since March has been down 70 percent on the average for the last two years, with no significant rain expected this month.  In Hebei province, another major wheat- and corn-growing area, more than 200 reservoirs had dried up and 1.87 million hectares of farmland had been damaged or destroyed.  

(5) Earthquake in Laos jolts Bangkok, 16 May 2007
(based on reports from USGS, AlertNet, and the Bangkok Post)

USGS reported an earthquake last May 16 08:56:16 UTC (03:56:16 PM in Laos) with the epicenter at 20.51N 100.74E, at a depth of 23 km.  In Thailand, the earthquake damaged two temples slightly in Chiang Rai, caused Bangkok skyscrapers to sway, and is suspected to have weakened a two-storey building in Mae Rim that subsequently collapsed.  It was felt particularly at the Bangkok business center on Silom Road.  The Bangkok Post reported that some people were rattled enough to wonder how to better safeguard their homes and businesses. 

(6) Iran, UN agencies launch first regional seismic risk reduction centre

UN Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) has signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation with the Iranian Government to establish the Asian Centre on Seismic Risk Reduction and supported by a consortium of international organizations.  The Center will build awareness and provide training in order to improve construction urban planning standards, develop appropriate early warning systems and enhance disaster management and encourage a “culture of safety.”  Through these efforts, it will encourage regional and inter-regional networking and partnerships to reduce seismic damage, the UNISDR said. It will also assist States to implement the Hyogo Framework for Action, a 10 year plan approved in Kobe, Japan by 168 Governments in 2005 to make nations and communities more resilient to disasters.  For more information,
please visit: http://www.asrrc.org/files/ASRRC_Launching.htm. 

B. CALLS FOR SUBMISSION

(7) Call for Proposals: ProVentium Consortium Research and Action Grants for Disaster Risk Reduction
The ProVention Consortium is pleased to announce the launch of the 2007-2008 Research & Action Grants for Disaster Risk Reduction.  Students and young professionals from developing countries are invited to propose creative projects and innovative ideas for support.  The Research and Action Grants for Disaster Risk Reduction programme is designed to engage enthusiastic young students and professionals in developing countries in creating innovative links between research and action in disaster risk reduction. Applicants are invited to seek ways to cut across professional disciplines and to exchange knowledge and engage stakeholders from scientific and academic, civilian, public and private sectors.  Proposals are encouraged in, but not limited to, the following thematic focus areas: Developing mechanisms to strengthen community resistance and resilience, Improving education materials and curricula, and Engaging the private sector in disaster risk reduction (especially micro-enterprises).  Deadline for proposal submission is July 15th, 2007.  To read details on eligibility, requirements, and to download the request for proposal,
please go to:
www.proventionconsortium.org/research_and_action_grants. 

(8) Call for abstracts: Second South Asia Water Research Conference on Water supply, sanitation and wastewater management in South Asia

The 2^nd South Asia Water Research Conference welcomes abstracts for this year's theme on “Water supply, sanitation and wastewater management in South Asia”.  The conference will be held September 24 to 26, 2007 in Kandy, Sri Lanka.  For queries, please contact: Dr. M.M.M. Najim, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya SRI LANKA, Tel +94-81-2395468, Fax: +94-81-2388923, mnajim@pdn.ac.lk.

C.   CONFERENCES AND COURSES

(9) Symposium on Space Tools and Solutions for Monitoring the Atmosphere in Support of Sustainable Development – Graz, Austria: 11-14 September 2007

Organizers: United Nations/Austria/European Space Agency.  The Symposium is concerned with the use of space applications for sustainable development to support the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development.  The programme will include a series of technical presentations of successful applications of space technology-based tools that provide cost-effective solutions or essential information for planning and implementing programmes or projects related to the monitoring of the atmosphere.  Applicants must be in managerial or decision-making positions within governmental or research institutions with responsibilities for carrying out programs or projects in sustainable development.  Other applicants would work in space or meteorology-related institutions or companies that carry out activities that could support programs or projects concerned with the monitoring of the atmosphere.  Please mail applications to: Office for Outer Space Affairs, United Nations Office at Vienna, Vienna International Centre, P.O. BOX 500, A - 1400 VIENNA – AUSTRIA; fax: (+43-1) 26060-5830; oosa@unvienna.org.  Detailed information and the application form are found at
http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/SAP/act2007/graz/index.html.

D.  USEFUL RESOURCES

(10) Reduce Tsunami Risk: Strategies for the Urban Planning and Construction Design, Italian Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea and ADPC, 2006

A series of publications were recently published online by the Coastal Risk Analysis of Tsunamis and Environmental Remediation (CRATER) project.  The purpose of the project is to develop material on reducing the risks caused by tsunami-type phenomena using appropriate urban and construction planning strategies.  The project is a joint effort between the Italian Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea and the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center.  To download the guidelines,
please go to:
 http://203.159.16.18/adpc/Downloads/2007/March/HANDBOOK-%20Guidelines_for_construction_DMS_2007.zip. 

To download the Risk Assessment and Evaluation ArcGIS Toolbox users manual,
please go to:
http://203.159.16.18/adpc/IKM/ONLINE%20DOCUMENTS/downloads/Manual%20of%20Risk%20Assessment%20and%20Evaluation.zip. 

To download the Evacuation Routes Tools ArcGIS Toolbox users manual, please go to:
http://203.159.16.18/adpc/IKM/ONLINE%20DOCUMENTS/downloads/Risk%20tutorial.zip. 

(11) Safer Cities 16: “Cooperation between Local Authority and Communities: Reducing Flood Disaster Risk in Dagupan City, Philippines”, Iglesias, 2007

The Program for Hydro-Meteorological Disaster Mitigation in Secondary Cities in Asia (PROMISE) has published a new case study in the Safer Cities series.  The case study is on the governance theme, and describes how key stakeholders in Dagupan City (Philippines) tackled the seasonal flooding in their city.  It discusses key strategies that can ensure sustainability of the effort.  To download the case study,

please go to:
http://203.159.16.18/adpc/Programs/UDRM/PROMISE/INFORMATION%20RESOURCES/Safer%20Cities/Downloads/SaferCities16.pdf. 

(12) ADB issues its first Sustainability Report

Presenting data through 2006, the report documents how ADB staff are working on developing clean energy sources for the region, enhancing sustainable agriculture, expanding educational opportunities, establishing effective financial institutions, building water supply and sanitation systems, as well as the bank’s recognition of disaster risk reduction as important to economic development.  To access the report,

click here: http://www.adb.org/Environment/Sustainability-Report.asp. 

(13) ADB’s Gender Network e-Newsletter

ADB released its first issue of the Gender Network e-Newsletter.  It is an electronic bulletin for professionals, researchers, civil society, and academics who are interested in gender issues.

To read go to: http://mms.adb.org/e-Notification/url.asp?ID=18714&DOCID=10812. 

(14) "Impact Measurement and Accountability in Emergencies"

This pocket guide presents methods for putting impact measurement and accountability into practice throughout the life of a project. It is useful for humanitarian practitioners, project officers and managers with some experience in the field, and draws on the work of field staff, NGOs, and inter-agency initiatives, including Sphere, ALNAP, HAP International, and People In Aid.  To download the document,

please go here: http://publications.oxfam.org.uk/oxfam/display.asp?K=_2006111410173391&TAG=&CID. 

(15) GeoEye establishes Philanthropic Organization to advance Geospatial Technologies

GeoEye formed the GeoEye Foundation with the goal to advance excellence in university teaching of geospatial information technologies (GIS), aid humanitarian and environmental research studies including climate change, and to foster the innovation and growth of the next-generation of geospatial technology professionals.  The GeoEye Foundation will provide free satellite imagery to support students and faculty.  Requests for archive satellite imagery are reviewed by the Foundation's Employee Advisory Committee. Applicants are generally students and faculty at select educational institutions or analysts or researchers at non-governmental organizations. Each potential applicant for an imagery award is required to submit an application outlining their research goals and objectives. Imagery is provided to support targeted research or environmental projects over specific areas on the Earth.  The GeoEye Foundation has already begun providing satellite imagery to support students and faculty studying urban sprawl in Mexico, land-use planning for Jerusalem and a polar ice study in Antarctica to better understand the impact of climate change.

For more information, visit http://www.geoeye.com/newsroom/releases/2007_GeoEyeFoundation.htm.