The Workshop on Disaster Risk Communication Strategy, which was held on 23-24 January 2003 at the Juliana Hotel in Phnom Penh, was opened and presided over by His Excellency Nhim Vanda, First Vice President of Cambodia's National Committee on Disaster Management (NCDM).

The Opening Remarks were delivered by His Excellency Peou Samy, Secretary General of the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), followed by an introduction and presentation of Workshop Objectives from Mr. Merrick Chatfield, Director of Regional Programs at ADPC.

In his remarks, His Excellency Peou Samy reiterated that Disaster Management can be achieved through training, strengthening line committees, and cooperating with the communities to reduce the impacts of disaster. He cited the cooperation between NCDM and ADPC in the capacity building of the NCDM staff, as well as the cooperation between the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC), Oxfam, AAH and CARE in capacity building for affected communities. He mentioned the various steps that the Government has been taking on this initiative, such as tapping the local authorities to assist activities on disaster management at the community level; organizing capacity building activities for provincial officials; and the formation of 5 Sub-Working Groups in the NCDM to ensure timely response and mitigation. His Excellency also relayed the various recommendations given by the Prime Minister on dam construction to respond to the water shortage in Kampong Speu and Kanadal provinces. Finally he expressed hope for a positive outcome of the Workshop achieved through exchange of ideas, opinion, and cooperation between local authorities and the NGO's.

Mr. Merrick Chatfield of ADPC followed the opening remarks with the presentation of the workshop's objective which was to draft a 5 Year Strategic Plan on Risk Management through the enhancement of disaster risk communication practices.