ADPC held a two-day consultation workshop entitled ‘Assessing Gaps in Risk Assessment and Risk Mapping Information, Early Warning Systems and Discussing Data Collection Procedures for Developing Building Codes’ in Prey Veng Province of Cambodia, on 20-21 June 2013.
The objective of the workshop was to support the generation of provincial risk maps, the development of building codes and the development of national, provincial and commune level early warning systems.
His Excellency Dr. Nhim Vanda, Senior Minister In-charge of Special Mission and First Vice President of National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) inaugurated the workshop. Additionally, officials from both Cambodia’s Provincial Committee for Disaster Management (PCDM) and National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) attended the workshop. In his inaugural speech, Dr. Nhim Vanda stressed the need for a strong and efficient disaster management system in Cambodia. He asked the attending Cambodian officials to gather as much information as possible during the course of the workshop to disseminate to at-risk communities.
Specifically, the workshop discussed three components: the generation of provincial risk maps; the creation of a Damage and Need Assessment and a Post Disaster Needs Assessment by assessing gaps in both early warning systems and data collection procedures; and the review of current provincial rural house construction designs and standards.
Dr. Bhichit Rattakul, Special Advisor to ADPC emphasized that in order to make Cambodia ‘disaster free’, it would be important for the participants to create awareness among the general public about risk assessment, early warning and the importance of developing building codes.
Dr. Vanda stated, “ADPC has a special place in my heart as I was among the first students of ADPC to have undergone disaster management training in the 80’s. Therefore, I feel that by working closely with ADPC, I am sure that Cambodia will be able to strengthen its capabilities in its Disaster Management System through discussion and the capacity building of our officials.”
He further communicated his hope for ADPC and Cambodia to continue its mutually beneficial relationship in the years to come.