Theme Article

Editorial

Linking Up

Hands Across the Region

Community-Based Disaster Management

Breakthroughs

Upcoming Events

Managing the Floodplains

PDR-SEA Update

Partners in Focus

Fact File

Training Update

ECHOs from the Field

E-Links

Recent floods have had a devastating impact on development programs in several Southeast Asian countries. As floods are often the result of interactions among various factors, mitigation initiatives need to target areas in which impacts are most strongly felt. However, it is apparent that current measures to mitigate the disastrous impacts of floods are all too often insufficient. Flood management should be comprehensive, providing a wide range of solutions to problems caused by flooding, and coordinated through a framework in which development agencies contribute solutions.

In Vietnam, CODEV has constructed flood shelters, with sirens and lights for early warning. APS have equipped and trained search and rescue teams. CECI's approach to reduction of vulnerability is the long-term solution of relocation and reconstruction. To provide an alternative means of reducing the recovery period, Action Against Hunger has engaged in flood mitigation micro-projects in Kampong Cham province in Cambodia. CARE (Cambodia) has developed a framework for 12 villages in Prey Veng within which development agencies work to prevent, mitigate and prepare for emergencies.

ECHO partners have for the most part succeeded in their aim of reducing the vulnerability of those living in flood-prone areas through demonstration of cost-effective community-based disaster preparedness and mitigation solutions. Partners have been able to mobilize community members to assess and evaluate threats posed by devastating flood events, and to develop mitigation solutions to address these threats. The effectiveness of these solutions has been tested during major floods in the last two years. Target communities have shown that they are able to assume ownership of initiatives, which have become an integral part of their own development processes. The solutions undertaken have proved to be sustainable, and replicable in other flood-prone areas.

Flood management involves the management of water resources, the reduction of vulnerability faced by people living in flood-prone areas, and minimizing disturbance to the ecosystem. It is necessary that demonstration programs undertaken by partners are properly documented in order to reflect realities of resources and human issues. Assessments of initiatives need to be compiled, incorporating best practices and lessons learned, and these may be shared with wider audiences.

Notwithstanding the success and commitment of ECHO partners, there remains a need to further integrate flood disaster mitigation and preparedness into the agendas of NGOs engaged in development work. This is sometimes hampered by a lack of systematic outreach and publicity. Setting up an appropriate forum for discussion and sharing of experience is vital at this stage. Active participation of all stakeholders, including communities, can be achieved through transfer of ownership of such networks to beneficiaries.