PATHUMTANI, Thailand- The 2011 floods that swept across north northeast and central Thailand, resulted in one of the most economi- cally taxing disasters in the countries history. As floodwaters swept southward across the country, the central province of Pathumtani acted as a final buffer between the floodwaters and the nation’s capital, Bangkok. However, the flood- barrier could not compete with the overwhelming volume of water. Communities along the Chao Phraya River were forced to evacuate their homes. Both industrial estates and residential areas were inundated in the floods. Flooding caused …

AYUTTHAYA, Thailand – When major disasters strike, it takes at least 24-48 hours for professional responders to reach, assess and react to risks. Other factors may further delay emergency response; infrastructural damage may limit accessibility, damage across expansive areas may wear responders thin, and interagency coordination may present logistic complications. In the aftermath of disaster, affected communities are alone and at their most vulnerable.

August 2012 was a busy time for CADRE in the Philippines – with the latest series trainings undertaken in Patag, Silay – at the Outdoor Center (old Hospital). Participants and Instructors from the Philippines Red Cross Society and the Bureau of Fire Protection took part in a CADRE Refresher Course and simulation exercises. Community preparedness is vital in Silay which is prone to earthquakes, floods, landslides and everyday emergencies.

In Nepal, CADRE is an important contribution to local community response. Communities here are vulnerable due to potential earthquakes, poor building standards, lack of response facilities, and weak infrastructure systems.

In July 2012, the CADRE Nepal team reached out to communities in Hetauda and Charikot to increase disaster resilience. CADRE Community Courses were held in the municipality of Hetauda, Makawanpur District on 5-7 July 2012, and the rural community of Charikot, Dolakha on 10-12 July 2012.

Twenty-seven community responders took part in CADRE at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) Academy, Pathum Thani, just north of Bangkok.
This area was affected with devastating floods during Oct-Dec 2011, inundating roads, facilities, homes and businesses. Many communities became completely cut off by the flood, and were reliant on community support to survive. Paticipating organizations in CADRE Thailand are DDPM, Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA), Thai Red Cross Society (TRCS) and the Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand (EMIT).

U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Kristie A. Kenney joined USAID and PEER partner representatives to launch PEER in Thailand at Ayutthaya Hospital on 27 April 2012.
The Ambassador said: “We are pleased to be working with ADPC to support disaster preparedness in Thailand. We witnessed the suffering and bravery of communities during the floods last year. The U.S. Government stands by our partners in good times and in bad. We are now pleased to find ways with these new programs to help the communities and hospitals better prepare and plan for disasters like this. “

In Hue, Vietnam during February and March 2012, Red Cross staff and volunteer teams from across Vietnam took part in CADRE training activities, developing vital skills in management of mass casualties, collapsed structure search and rescue, flood safety and how to respond to emergencies.
There are now 47 new CADRE instructors in Vietnam, qualified to teach the fundamentals of disaster response in their communities. They are also equipped to help their families, neighbors and communities if a flood, landslide, building collapse, fire, mass-casualty event, or any other disaster were to hit their local area.

Nepal marks the 14th Annual Earthquake Safety Day on 16 January 2012. It’s a time to raise awareness and share vital information on disaster management and earthquake safety.
Nepal faces multiple natural hazards, but the risk of earthquakes is what looms largest, in particular, the proverbial “big one”—an earthquake impacting urban areas that would eclipse those of recent memory. CADRE is underway in Nepal, training communities in basic life-saving skills in the event of an earthquake.
This Earthquake Safety Day – let’s resolve to work together for a safer Nepal

CADRE National Course in Indonesia has taken place in Jakarta, led by ADPC partner organisation Ambulan 118.
Dr Suryadi, Head of Training, Ambulan 118 said: “CADRE course is very timely for Indonesia – we expect heavy flooding soon – so CADRE is very important preparation, particularly for the most vulnerable communities in Indonesia.”

Narinda community in Dhaka today started training in CADRE – becoming the first Urban Community for CADRE in Bangladesh
> VIEW SLIDESHOW OF CADRE NARINDA
Narinda is located in the old city – known as Old Dhaka. Old Dhaka has a very high population density and the oldest districts of Dhaka are characterized by more vulnerable buildings and narrow roads. This makes it innaccessible for professional emergency responders after a disaster, which means community responders are needed. CADRE is a “must-have” for Narinda!