Mr. Bill Ho, Director a.i. of ADPC Academy welcoming the students

ADPC hosted exchange students from Stenden Thailand to develop their understanding on the initiatives taken towards disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate resilience in Asia and the Pacific region.

Mr. Bill Ho, Director a.i. of ADPC Academy, explained in his welcoming message that all students are “young ambassadors of DRR” because of the opportunities they have to exchange knowledge, share experiences and raise awareness on disaster preparedness and climate resilience within their communities.

Mr. Avelino Filio Jr, Capacity Development Specialist of ADPC Academy presenting that disaster events are increasing throughout Asia and the Pacific.

Mr. Avelino Filio Jr, Capacity Development Specialist of ADPC Academy, gave an overview of disaster facts and figures for Asia and the Pacific and emphasized the importance of taking a whole-of-society effort towards disaster preparedness and prevention.

Students were encouraged to ask questions and discuss issues like why disasters are becoming more frequent in Asia and the Pacific. ADPC Academy answered a question on water-sharing among Mekong river countries, where cooperation between neighboring countries upstream and downstream of the river is necessary to warn communities at risk about flooding.

The students are taking a short course on International Relations and the ASEAN region at Stenden Thailand. Since disasters can be cross-border, disaster preparedness serves as a useful example for the students to analyze the abilities of different countries and stakeholders to work together.