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Over the last two decades there has been a growing realization that many top-down approaches to disaster management fail to address the specific local needs of vulnerable communities, ignore the potential of local resources and capacities and may in some cases even increase people's vulnerability. In such a context, the relevance of community based approaches to disaster management (CBDM) is being recognized. Thus, ADPC in collaboration with Duryog Nivaran (DN) started international training on CBDM approaches in 1997. In 1999 and 2000, ADPC in collaboration with CARE conducted two international courses in Bangladesh. Last year, in collaboration with the Center for Disaster Preparedness (CDP), with the support of DIPECHO, another CBDM course was conducted in Philippines. All the nine CBDM courses, organized so for, evoked enthusiastic response from the disaster management community in the Asian and Pacific regions. Responding to the growing need for learning opportunities on community based approaches worldwide, ADPC offers the Tenth International Course on CBDM.
The course aims to train the participants in designing and implementing community based disaster management programs and projects in disaster prone rural and urban areas. In this regard the course facilitates sharing of systematized knowledge, information and experiences amongst the participants and the resource persons.
 To examine different disaster management models and approaches and analyze the validity of community-based approaches in disaster management.
To introduce various participatory tools in community-based risk assessment and practice them in a chosen disaster prone community.
To identify various risk reduction measures that can be undertaken by the community and translate these measures into community level action plan.
To identify issues and strategies regarding incorporation of community based disaster management approach in the agenda of government and voluntary and non-government sectors.
(Approximately 90 hrs.)
Course curriculum is designed to develop expertise of the participants on three tracks of competence, which include: i) the fundamental concepts and principles of CBDM, ii) the technical knowledge and skills on participatory approaches, iii) the skills necessary for effective community based disaster management. The objectives of the course will be achieved through the following modules:
Disaster Situation and Disaster Management Activities
A mix of interactive lectures, presentations, and exercises on types and characteristics of disasters affecting different countries in the Asian region, the changing environment and socio-economic situation, current levels of preparedness and on-going activities of government and non-government agencies for community based disaster management, and on the key prerequisites for better disaster management.
Framework for Community Based Disaster Management
An introduction to community based disaster management paradigm, its relative advantages in comparison to other different approaches for disaster management. The module provides an overview of the concepts, and processes of community based disaster management. It introduces a model for analyzing hazards, vulnerabilities and capacities. This module also tackles different models on disaster management.
Community Based Risk Assessment
A module on building participants' skills on community risk assessment. The module introduces various participatory methodologies in analyzing hazard, vulnerability and capacity with considerations to people's perceptions. It provides a one-day field practice to apply the techniques learnt in the classroom.
Community Based Risk Reduction Measures
Based on risk assessment this module explains various risk reduction measures or strategies that are applicable at the community level. Structural and non-structural risk reduction measures are identified and discussed in relation to the community risk assessment conducted in the field. The module, than discuss livelihood options, conflict resolution and negotiation, community organizing, advocacy, public awareness, early warning and evacuation, as key strategies for community capacity building.
Incorporating CBDM into mainstream agenda
The course culminates in a sectoral workshop by participants and resource persons on identification of issues and strategies to incorporate community based disaster management into the agenda of their respective organizations, be it the government, NGOs, donors, UN agencies or private sector.
The Director of the Training and Education Division of ADPC, Ms. Zenaida Delica-Willison will be the Course Director. She has over 13 years of experience on community based development-oriented disaster management. Other facilitators include leading practitioners on community based disaster management from NGOs, universities and networks from the South and Southeast Asian regions and the ADPC.
All
teaching and course materials are in English. It is essential that participants are fully
conversant in English.
The course is particularly useful for those concerned with supporting and implementing community based disaster management programs. Two hundred and twenty-five CBDM alumni, with a highly diverse profile, come from 26 countries of the Asian, Pacific, African, European and American regions. Amongst them they range from field level staff of national NGOs to country representatives of INGOs, project evaluation officers of donor agencies, high ranking officials from ministries of revenue, health and local government, chief executive officers of national disaster management offices and the program managers of emergency response agencies. The target audience of the course is:
Local Government officials
Emergency Response Agencies and Emergency Planners.
UN Agencies and International & Local NGOs
NGOs working in the field of Disasters and Development.
Private Sector involved in Disaster Management.
Donor Agencies
The course is open to all countries. For effective sharing and learning, seats are limited to 30 participants only.
Fee for the Course is US$2,000 per participant. Costs of books, materials and travel during the course are included in the course fee. Course fee should preferably be paid in advance by money transfer/international Demand Draft (DD) or cash at the time of registration.
All participants will stay at the AIT Center Hotel during the course. The room rate is US$ 25-30 per night for single room and US$15 per person for shared accommodation. Participants who prefer to stay in single rooms have to inform ADPC in advance. Restaurants and student cafeteria, which offer a variety of Asian cuisines, are located on the AIT Campus.
Interested persons can apply directly but preferably be nominated by their employers, sponsoring Governments, NGOs and private organizations. Applicants should complete the ADPC Application form or send a letter of inquiry to ADPC.
To apply, fill out the attached form and fax it to the number given at the end of this brochure. You can also register through filling out the on-line form at ADPC homepage at http://www.adpc.ait.ac.th/TRAINING/form.html. On acceptance of nomination, you will be informed and supplied with additional information about the course.
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