Last updated: 31 October, 2008    

Disaster Mitigation in Asia
Issue No. 1 
28 February 2003

A. About this e-newsletter
B. From the Region 
C. Conferences & Courses
D. Useful Resources

FROM THE REGION

Replicating Successes in Bangladesh

Gaibandha and Tongi - two flood prone municipalities have been actively working together with NGOs and community groups in mitigating flood risks. Municipal Disaster Management Committees with newly developed Contingency Plans, implemented according to Government of Bangladesh's Standing Orders, were starting points for improving disaster response. However, limited funds for disaster management and limited control over response and rehabilitation activities in the municipalities are common problems.

To promote mitigation, CARE Bangladesh and partner NGOs under the Bangladesh Urban Disaster Mitigation Project (BUDMP) of ADPC has mobilized funds and in-kind contributions from the municipalities and community groups in developing small, cost-effective mitigation schemes to mitigate against flood risks. Examples of schemes include raised roads, bridges, culverts, arsenic-free tube wells, widened drains, etc. Complementing these schemes were awareness raising campaigns and training programs.

This approach is being publicized across Bangladesh and some municipalities will draw from the experiences of Gaibandha and Tongi. There was great interest shown in Shahjadpur by the Chairman to provide contribution to the proposed BUDMP activities in the municipality. Since Shahjadpur is one of the largest manufacturer of cloth and garment in Bangladesh, could funds be mobilized from this private sector group?

For more information on the BUDMP, please e-mail
Mr. Monzu Morshed <morshed@carebangladesh.org> or
Mr. Nurul Huda <dmputt@mail.bangla.net>

Lao PDR Reduces Fire Risks

A fire risk zonation map of Vientiane was developed under the Lao PDR Urban Disaster Mitigation Project of ADPC with funding support from USAID. To complement this map, a community-based risk mapping process was piloted in Ban Hatsdy Tay community in Chantabury District of Vientiane. On the community maps, risks, resources and escape routes were identified. From these maps, mitigation and preparedness strategies will be planned and implemented by the community with assistance from the Urban Research Institute (URI), Lao PDR's National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), and the Fire Prevention and Protection Department.

For further details please e-mail AUDMP <audmp@adpc.net>

Institute of Technology Bandung, Indonesia Establishes Research Group on Disaster Mitigation

A pilot initiative to mitigate disasters in Bandung under the Indonesian Urban Disaster Mitigation Project (IUDMP) has resulted in a recent establishment of a Research Group on Disaster Mitigation at the Institute of Technology Bandung (ITB). This provides a good foundation to build on the experiences of the IUDMP, the highlights of which include a rapid risk assessment methodology and the training for trainers program on school earthquake preparedness. At the national level, ITB is working closely with the National Coordinating Board for Disaster Management (BAKORNAS PBP) in drafting a new National Policy on Urban Disaster Mitigation in Indonesia.

The challenges ahead for the Research Group on Disaster Mitigation include the setting up of an organizational structure, defining roles and responsibilities and developing a strategy in close collaboration with BAKORNAS PBP.

For further details please e-mail Dr. Harkunti P. Rahayu, Head, Research Group on Disaster Mitigation, ITB <rg_disastermitigation@itb.ac.id> or <hartkunti@melsa.net.id>

Nepal Earthquake Safety Day, January 2003

Kathmandu Valley held its fifth Earthquake Safety Day (ESD) on January 15 to commemorate victims of the great Bihar-Nepal Earthquake of 1934, and this time, with more and larger events, greater number of participants worldwide, and bigger impacts achieved.

ESD was in fact a week-long event from January 14 to 19, with a range of education and public awareness activities to remind people of the enormous earthquake risk Kathmandu Valley face. Through a symposium, an awareness rally, an exhibition, a shake table demonstration, art competition, and the distribution of posters, booklets and leaflets, a wide group of people were being informed about how they could prepare for and mitigate against earthquake.

Since 1999, Earthquake Safety Days had been organized by an Earthquake Safety Day National Committee, chaired by the Ministry of Science and Technology, instituted by the Royal Government of Nepal and coordinated by the National Society for Earthquake Technology (NSET). For the first time this year, exhibitions were held in not only Kathmandu but also in Pokhara and Vyas Municipalities.

For more information about NSET, please visit <http://www.nset.org.np> or e-mail Mr. Amod Dixit <adixit@nset.org.np>

Sri Lanka Celebrates Disaster Safety Day in Ratnapura, 16 March 2003

It will be the second Disaster Safety Day (DSD) held in memory of those who lost their lives during the landslide at Helauda, Ratnapura in 1994. DSD will coincide with the Asian Regional Conference on Urban Infrastructure Financing and Disaster Mitigation and the Eighth Annual Working Group Meeting of the Asian Urban Disaster Mitigation Program (please see next section for more details).

DSD is a reminder to the nation that something CAN be done to minimize the devastating impact of disasters. This message will be highlighted in an exhibition of artwork by students, a procession participated by students, school teachers, parents, guests from different parts of the world and many more, and a series of plays, talks and video clips at the Ratnapura Municipal Council Hall open to the public.

DSD is being organized by the Center for Housing, Planning and Building (CHPB), Sri Lanka. For more information about CHPB, please visit <http://www.chpb.gov.lk> or e-mail Mrs. Geethi Karunaratne <chpb@sltnet.lk>

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