The program launch and the first national introductory course of the Public Health and Emergency Management Program in Asia and the Pacific (PHEMAP) was held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. The introductory course was conducted on 8–12 December 2014 under the guidance of Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) with funding support from the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The PHEMAP Program in Myanmar is conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. There were 27 participants in the PHEMAP introductory course representing 15 regions or states under the Department of Health of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement and the WHO Country Office Myanmar.

Dr. Min Than Nyunt, Director General of the Department of Health opened the event as the chief guest. In his opening remarks, Dr. Min emphasized the importance of the PHEMAP training program in Myanmar in protecting the people from the consequences of disasters. He shared the experiences of Myanmar during the tsunami in 2004 and Typhoon Nargis in 2008 that significantly affected 27 townships in the country resulting in 85,500 people killed and more than 2.4 million people affected.

Other guests in the opening ceremony included Dr. Soe Lwin Nyein, Deputy Director General and Dr. Win Naing, Director of the Center for Epidemiology of the Department of Health. Ms. Angeliki Parasyraki, Country Manager of ADPC in Myanmar delivered the welcome remarks on behalf of ADPC.

The goal of the PHEMAP program is for Myanmar to adapt and institutionalize the course taking into consideration its national context and addressing the country's specific needs in developing the capacity of heath emergency managers.

"I come from an area where we often have wild fires. Only this year more than ten people have died. Now, after the PHEMAP training, I will be able to draft an emergency preparedness plan for the community. Many people will benefit from that," commented a medical assistant from the Bago State participating the training.

Parcticipants at the launch event of the Public Health and Emergency Management Program in Asia and the Pacific (PHEMAP)
in Myanmar.

Ms. Angeliki Parasyraki, Country Manager of ADPC in Myanmar delivered the welcome remarks.