ASIAN DISASTER PREPAREDNESS CENTER                                                                                                     MAY 2006    ISSUE 20

Message from Dr. Suvit Yodmani,

Executive Director, ADPC

The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center celebrates its 20 year anniversary in 2006. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to all its partner institutions, national governments, numerous UN organizations and other international organizations for their collaboration and support to ADPC during the past two decades. The work of all stakeholders in disaster management, including ADPC staff and alumni have contributed to making communities and countries better prepared, safer, and more resilient in face of disasters. ADPC is proud to have been a pioneer in some of the significant changes-in paradigm, concepts, and practices paving the way to reduction of the impacts of natural disasters.

 ADPC was established in 1986 under late Colonel Brian Ward’s illustrious leadership to address the disaster management needs of countries in Asia.  In its twenty years ADPC responded dynamically to the paradigm shift in disaster management, readily and actively adjusting its operational strengths to address the evolving developments in disaster risk management by structuring its technical focus on climate risk management, disaster management systems, urban disaster risk management and

 20 years of commitment to safer communities and sustainable development through disaster reduction 

 public health in emergencies.  This vigorous and comprehensive approach is further reinforced by ensuring that ADPC’s projects and programs enhance institutional capacities, apply community-based disaster risk management practices, and promote and support mainstreaming of disaster management into the development processes.  These activities complement ADPC’s involvement in building national and provincial disaster management systems,  identifying disaster risk management needs, and developing strategic solutions.  ADPC’s standing and twenty years of experience in the region is confirmed by the substantive encouragement and support from various multi-lateral and bi-lateral development and donor agencies; as manifested in the implementation of our extensive array of projects and programs.  

 As it moves forward beyond its twenty years of operations, ADPC will continue to build upon its operational and technical strengths and to evolve in its role as a regional resource center, and to act as a regional early warning center.  ADPC will further pursue operational partnerships and collaborations with all stakeholders in disaster risk management into sustainable development policies and practices throughout the Asia and Pacific regions.

 In closing, permit me to express my gratitude to our staff and consultants who have shared commitment, dedication and loyalty to ADPC’s goals and mission.

 As its Executive Director, it is my honor to be part of this fine organization.  I am confident that ADPC will continue to be responsive to the priorities of our key stakeholders in governments and the international community overcoming challenges to serve the region and beyond.

ACTIVITIES

Officials from United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention International Emergency Health Program and the School of Public Health, University of Texas visited ADPC, Bangkok (24 -27 April)

ADPC’s Public Health in Emergencies (PHE) team, led by Mr. Jonathan Abrahams,  hosted meetings from 24 -27 April for officials from United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention International Emergency Preparedness Program, represented by Dr Mark Keim and Mr Paul Giannone, and the School of Public Health at the University of Texas, represented by Dr John Herbold and Dr David Lakey to discuss potential collaborations. They also visited the offices of UNICEF, UNOCHA, Thai-US CDC collaboration on infectious diseases, and USAID. http://www.adpc.net/phe/phe.html

 Development of Health Collaboration along Thailand-Myanmar Border Areas, Bangkok (26-28 April)

A representative from ADPC’s Public Health in Emergencies (PHE) team attended the “Meeting on Development of Health Collaboration along Thailand-Myanmar Border Areas” at Woosung Castle Hill Country Club, Ratchaburi Province. The meeting was organized by the Thailand Ministry of Public Health, Department of Disease Control with the support of World Health Organization (WHO). The main objectives of the meeting were to share information on the border situation and the activities of organizations working in Thailand-Myanmar border areas. The other objectives were to develop tools and mechanisms for increasing health access among cross-border population and coordination among organizations working in the border areas.

 At the Opening Ceremony, the Governor of Ratchaburi gave the Welcome Address followed by the Opening Remarks of WHO Representative to Thailand, Dr William Aldis. The Inaugural Address was delivered by the Permanent Secretary for Public Health in Thailand. http://www.adpc.net/phe/phe.html

 ADPC & the Thammasat University, Bangkok signs MoU, Bangkok (20 April)

ADPC & the Thammasat University (TU) - Faculty of Public Health (FPH), Bangkok signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the 20 April, to further develop and establish a dynamic mechanism to strengthen and mainstream Public Health in emergencies in the overall concept of Disaster Management.  ADPC and TU Faculty of Public Health recognize the need to collaborate to achieve their shared goals for promoting excellence in public health and disaster management. The goal of this Memorandum of Understanding is to develop and establish a dynamic long-term partnership of ongoing collaboration and cooperation between ADPC and TU Faculty of Public Health, building upon and strengthening the common and complementary elements of their respective mandates.  http://www.adpc.net/phe/phe.html

 Climate Forecast Application Program, New Delhi (1- 4 May)

A senior representative of ADPC’s Climate Risk Management (CRM) team attended a meeting in New Delhi to initiate Climate Forecast Application (CFA) Program in India. The meeting prepared a work plan for implementing activities in the first year. The CFA-India program commencing in May 2006, is being implemented by ADPC in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and seven other partner institutions, with funding support from the Government of India. http://www.adpc.net/crm/crm.html

 MoU finalization with the Philippine Institute for Volcanology and Seismology, Manila (4-6 May)

Mr. A.R.  Subbiah, Director of ADPC’s CRM team was in Manila to visit the Philippine Institute for Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) to finalize the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation for early warning arrangements, preparedness and mitigation of natural hazards. Arrangements for establishing a sea level station in Subic Bay and future work on establishing seismic stations were also discussed. http://www.adpc.net/crm/crm.html

 Flood Forecast Technology for Disaster Preparedness in Bangladesh, Dhaka (4-9 May)

A senior representative of ADPC’s Climate Risk Management (CRM) team was on a mission to Dhaka to attend a project initiation meeting for the three-year program on Flood Forecast Technology for Disaster Preparedness in Bangladesh (CFAB 2). This programme, implemented by ADPC, aims to develop climate and flood forecast models that will add predictive skills to the current prediction efforts and to make them operational within Bangladesh. Strengthening the technical capacity of institution personnel to enable them to operate the end-to-end climate/flood forecasting and application system; thereby strengthening disaster management in the agriculture sector through the application of a community-based climate forecast information system.  http://www.adpc.net/crm/crm.html

 IOTWS program on Coastal Community Resilience, New Delhi (7-9 May)

A senior member of ADPC’s Climate Risk Management (CRM) team was on a mission to New Delhi, India to meet officials from USAID and UNDP on the proposed Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning Systems (IOTWS) program on coastal community resilience. http://www.adpc.net/crm/crm.html

 Flood Forecast Technology for Disaster Preparedness (CFAB-2) activity, Dhaka (9-11 May)

Mr. A. R. Subbiah, Director of ADPC’s CRM team is on mission to Dhaka, Bangladesh to discuss activities to be carried out in the first year of the CFAB-2 program with Prof. Peter Webster from Georgia Institute of Technology, USA. Activities include providing technical inputs on climate and flood forecast modeling and the scope and potential for issuing forecast for the summer monsoon. http://www.adpc.net/crm/crm.html

 ADPC holds meeting with H.E. Mr. Bill Paterson, Australian Ambassador to Thailand, Bangkok, (10 May)

ADPC holds consultation meeting with Mr. Bill Paterson, Australian Ambassador to Thailand, and Ms. Bronwyn Robbins, First Secretary (Technical and Economic Co-operation) Australian Embassy on the AUSAID-ADPC partnership to assist smaller countries in the provision of a regional early warning arrangement and other institutional issues.

 Canadian Ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Mr. Denis Comeau, visits ADPC, (11 May)

ADPC welcomes the Canadian Ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Mr. Denis Comeau.

The visit will provide an opportunity to brief H.E Mr. Comeau on ADPC’s role and activities in disaster management in the region, including the establishment of an early warning system.

 Flood Emergency Management Strengthening (FEMS) project activities, Vietnam (11- 30 May)

11 May - Consultative meeting on Implementation of Flood Emergency Management Strengthening (FEMS) project will be held in Thanh Binh District, Dong THap province, Vietnam.

18-19 May – The FEMS team will be attending the annual Flood Forum of Mekong River Commission Secretariat (MRCS) in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

30 May – The FEMS team will also be attending the "Project Management Unit" meeting under MRCS' Flood Management and Mitigation Program to be held in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. http://www.adpc.net/what%20news/dmst.html

 Disaster Management course, Pakistan (5-7 June)

The Training Resource Group of ADPC will be conducting a three-day course on Disaster management in Hyderabad, Pakistan. The course is funded by Sindh Agricultural and Forestry Workers Coordinating Organization (Safwco), Hyderabad, Pakistan. http://www.adpc.net/training/te.html

 Mine Risk Education (MRE) Programme, Thailand (8-9 June)

As part of the ongoing activities of the MRE programme, a meeting is planned from 8- 9 June at Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. The meeting will facilitate discussions with consultant and teachers from schools located in mine risk areas to enhance collaboration among potential partners, government agencies and several NGOs like the Provincial Education Office, Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC) Humanitarian Mine Action Unit, Border Patrol Police unit and the Thailand Campaign to Ban Landmines (TCBL). Camping programmes for students are scheduled for July and September 2006. http://www.adpc.net/training/te.html

 Project Proposal Writing Course, Pakistan (8-10 June)

The Training Resource Group of ADPC will be conducting a three-day course on Project Proposal Writing in Hyderabad, Pakistan from 8-10 June. The course is funded by Sindh Agricultural and Forestry Workers Coordinating Organization (Safwco), Hyderabad, Pakistan.  http://www.adpc.net/training/te.html

Back to Top

 

SOME UPCOMING EVENTS IN June 2006

 

Community Based Psychological Support Training Course, Bangkok (June 12-16)

ADPC in partnership with the University of South Dakota’s Disaster Mental Health Institute (DMHI) is organizing a training course on Community Based Psychological Support from 12-16 June. The course is designed for professionals working in the field of psychological support in the disaster context. It has a strong programmatic and planning component. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the ideas of Psychological First Aid and psychosocial support programs, and discuss problems and ideas in those areas. The course will promote the sharing of relevant technical and managerial skills and knowledge and will equip participants with appropriate decision making, strategic and analytical processes. For more details please visit our website:

http://www.adpc.net/phe/CBPS%20Brochure.pdf

For more information on the above activities, events, trainings and workshops, please visit our website at www.adpc.net or contact us at adpc@adpc.net

 
 
   
   
   

WORKSHOP & TRAININGS

Program for Hydro-meteorological Disaster Mitigation in Secondary Cities in Asia (PROMISE), Vietnam (May)

Under PROMISE, an inception workshop is planned in the third week of May in Da Nang, Vietnam. The workshop is an initiation activity for partners in Vietnam. The project is being implemented with funding support from USAID/OFDA. http://www.adpc.net/udrm/udrm.html

 Capacity Building in Asia Using Information Technology Applications (CASITA), Sri Lanka (2-4 May)

ADPC in collaboration with the University of Ruhuna in Sri Lanka organized a three-day workshop on Disaster Risk Management. This workshop is under the CASITA II program and conducted primarily for the Master’s students of Ruhuna University. http://www.adpc.net/udrm/udrm.html

 Planning and Development Workshop, Bangkok (2-5 May)

The Public Health in Emergencies Team (PHE) in collaboration with the World Health Organization has conducted a  planning and development workshop for a “training programme for health care facility emergency preparedness and response to pandemics and epidemics, using the model of human cases of avian influenza” from  2-5 May at Century Park Hotel, Bangkok. http://www.adpc.net/phe/phe.html

 Flood Emergency Management Strengthening (FEMS) project activities, Vietnam  (8-12 May)

A consultative workshop on "Development of District Flood Preparedness Plan in Sithor Kandal District" is organized in Prey Veng Province, Cambodia, under the FEMS project. http://www.adpc.net/what%20news/dmst.html

 ADPC flags off training programme in Public Health in Complex Emergencies, Bangkok (8-20 May)

ADPC, through its Public Health in Emergencies Team is organizing an international training program on Public Health in Complex Emergencies (PHCE) in Asia.  Dr. Suvit Yodmani, Executive Director, ADPC opened the course and due to run from 8-20 May in Bangkok, Thailand.  This course is jointly organized in association with the World Education, Inc. (WEI) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) together with other two regional partners, the American University of Beirut and the Makerere University Institute of Public Health, Uganda. The Public Health in Complex Emergencies training program (PHCE) is a two-week residential course that focuses on critical public health issues faced by NGO's and health personnel working with displaced persons and refugee population in complex emergencies. http://www.adpc.net/phe/phe.html

 FAO Pre-Monsoon Season Workshop, Dhaka (10-11 May)

ADPC Climate Risk Management (CRM) representative will attend the FAO Pre-Monsoon Season Workshop. http://www.adpc.net/crm/crm.html

 National workshop on Climate Forecast Applications for Managing Climate Risks, Indramayu, (11-17 May)

ADPC Climate Risk Management (CRM) team will be in Indramayu, West Java, Indonesia to organize and facilitate the national workshop on Climate Forecast Applications for Managing Climate Risks at the BAPPEDA Office (district planning agency), Indramayu. The workshop will discuss the status of the existing climate forecast generation and application in different sectors for mitigating the impacts of climate hazards in Indonesia. The workshop will also provide opportunity for cross-fertilization between project sites (Indonesia and the Philippines), and to develop an action plan for addressing constraints and exploiting opportunities for institutionalizing climate forecast applications in different sectors. The workshop will be attended by about 60 participants from national, provincial and local governments in West Java, representatives from Philippines and the USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA). http://www.adpc.net/crm/crm.html

 Regional workshop on tool development for coastal community resilience (CCR) program, Bangkok, (23-25 May)

The regional workshop on tool development for coastal community resilience (CCR) program under the IOTWS will bring together disaster and coastal management experts from Indonesia, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, and Maldives to develop a toolkit for the CCR program and identify opportunities to implement the program in the target countries. http://www.adpc.net/crm/crm.html

 First Tsunami Alert Rapid Notification System (TARNS) workshop, Hua Hin (23-27 May)

The first Tsunami Alert Rapid Notification System (TARNS) workshop: System Design and Plan in support of the US Government Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System (IOTWS) is scheduled at the end of the month in Hua Hin, Thailand. Program Integrator, ADPC will assist in facilitating and documenting the workshop.  The workshop will be implemented by US Forest Service and US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under the IOTWS Program, in collaboration with Thailand National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC). http://www.adpc.net/crm/crm.html

 National workshop on Communicating Risks, Yangoon (26 May – 1 June)

ADPC CRM team will be in a mission to Yangoon, Myanmar from 26 May-1 June to assess the warning information flow and institutions that are involved with providing inputs to the national workshop on communicating risks. The workshop is scheduled from 30-31 May and will be organized by ADPC in collaboration with the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology. http://www.adpc.net/crm/crm.html

 Workshop on Damage and Loss Estimation for Risk Management (31 May-2 June) Sri Lanka

ADPC in collaboration with the Disaster Management Center UNDP Sri Lanka,  National Building  Research Organization (NBRO) and Central Bank Sri Lanka will be organizing a workshop on “Damage and Loss Estimation for Risk Management” from 31 May-2 June in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This activity is being implemented under the ADPC’s Urban Disaster Risk Management Team’s Technical Assistance to Tsunami Affected Countries Project with funding support from the Netherlands Development Organization (SNV-The Netherlands). http://www.adpc.net/udrm/udrm.html

Workshop on Loss and Damage, Sri Lanka (3-4 June)

A workshop on Loss and Damage will be organized at the Postgraduate Institute of Science (PGIS), University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka on 3-4 June. About 40 PGIS M.Sc. students will participate in the workshop. SNV-The Netherlands will be funding this workshop through the UDRM’s Technical Assistance to Tsunami Affected Countries Project. http://www.adpc.net/udrm/udrm.html

 Certificate Course on Disaster Management, Sri Lanka (5-9 June)

A certificate course on Disaster Management will be organized at the Postgraduate Institute of Science (PGIS), University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka on 5-9 June. About 100 participants are expected to benefit from this activity from government agencies, NGOs and the private sector. Netherlands Development Organization (SNV) -The Netherlands will be funding this workshop through the UDRM’s Technical Assistance to Tsunami Affected Countries Project. http://www.adpc.net/udrm/udrm.html

Back to Top

Copyright 2006 ADPC    Last updated:10 May 2006