Asian Disaster Preparedness Center and the Relief and Resettlement Department (RRD), Myanmar, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in the field of disaster and climate risk management. Dr. Ko Ko Naing, Director General, RRD and Dr. Jingjai Hanchanlash, Executive Director a.i., ADPC, signed the MoU.

The delegation led by Dr. Ko Ko Naing, visited ADPC’s headquarters in Bangkok and discussed several areas of common interest including capacity building of government officials on using scientific information for reducing disaster and climate risk in Myanmar.

Welcoming the guests, Dr. Jingjai Hanchanlash said ADPC is committed to increasing its work in Myanmar especially in the field of scientific data gathering and sharing for evidence-based decision making. “ADPC’s strength lies in its technical expertise and its networks. We focus more on institutional capacity building in accordance with the needs expressed by governments,” said Dr. Hanchanlash.

Dr. Ko Ko Naing, Director General of the Relief and Resettlement Department, Myanmar, (left) and Dr. Jingjai Hanchanlash, Executive Director a.i., (right) sign the memorandum of understanding solidifying the two agency's continued working relationship.

Dr. Ko Ko Naing put equal emphasis on partnerships and collaboration to implement programs and projects to reduce the impacts of disasters in Myanmar. “We appreciate the renewal of cooperation between our department and ADPC. It is in the wider interest of people who are extremely vulnerable to disasters,” said Mr. Naing.

Myanmar is exposed to a variety of hazards. Around 377,000 people were displaced during June 2016 floods alone. These seasonal events show the importance of continued preparedness efforts to mitigate the negative impacts of natural disasters.

The delegation expressed that Myanmar needs support to build emergency response capacity of government agencies, communities, and local non-government organizations.

Dr. Ko Ko Naing, Director General of the Relief and Resettlement Department, Myanmar, and Dr. Jingjai Hanchanlash, Executive Director a.i., shake hands after signing the memorandum of understanding.

ADPC briefed the delegation about its other ongoing activities in Myanmar which include building stakeholder capacity in all phases of disaster management, strengthening weather and climate services, and boosting mental health and psychosocial support among other initiatives.

Dr. Peeranan Towashiraporn, a Director at ADPC, said that the organization is also building capacity of the RRD to use geographic information system. He informed that SERVIR-Mekong, a project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), developed technical tools, which can help RRD understand the practical application of satellite technology for various sectors.

“You may use it for rapid response analysis and mapping in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, or for monitoring drought conditions. The agriculture department can use it for crop mapping and water monitoring to deal with food security,” said Dr. Towashiraporn.

Dr. Rishi Raj, Technical Specialist on Climate Risk Management at ADPC, informed the delegation about the simulations and drills that ADPC conducted on coastal and riverine floods in Myanmar to improve end-to-end early warning systems from the national to local level.

The delegation from the Relief and Resettlement Department, Myanmar, and Senior ADPC staff pause for a group photo at the end of the meeting.

Talking about the sustainability of capacity building training courses, Dr. Min Then, Director, RRD, suggested that partners should work more closely to avoid any kind of overlaps. “We should build on each other’s strengths and work together for the greater good of vulnerable people,” said Dr. Min Then.

Dr. Aung Thurein, Deputy Director, RRD, and Ms. Khin May Nu, Director, Minister’s Office and Mr. Pichit Boonsud, Director Development Affairs Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand, also attended the event and shared their perspectives.