After seven years of project implementation in the region, ADPC’s Asian Urban Disaster Mitigation Program (AUDMP) has extended its activities to three more countries: Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam. Here is an update of recent activities in these countries.

Lao PDR: Pilot Site for Community Fire Risk Assessment Identified

Ban Hatsdy, a medium-sized community in Vientiane, has been selected as a pilot site for community fire risk assessment in Lao PDR. The decision was reached following a site visit from 9-11 September 2002 to collect additional information by a consultative team consisting of Ms Suthira Suwannarpa, AUDMP Project Manager; representatives from the Urban Research Institute (URI), the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and the Fire Brigade, Lao PDR; and Ms Lorna Victoria, a consultant. 

The rationale for Ban Hatsdy’s selection is that the size of the community is appropriate for a pilot site for a fire mitigation project with possible further replicability; there is potential future financial support (three banks are located in this community) and its past experience with fire disaster has created adequate public awareness and enthusiasm about fire prevention, given the perceived high risk. The team also conducted a needs assessment and met with community leaders and representatives from the Women’s Union, Youth’s Union and Security Committee. The first activity identified with the community is a workshop on risk mapping to be held locally from 19-25 October 2002.

Thailand: Thailand Urban Disaster Mitigation Project to Begin Soon 

The Thailand Urban Disaster Mitigation Project is expected to begin in the last quarter of 2002. Following the Royal Thai Government’s decision to consolidate disaster-concerned organizations into the Department of Disaster Protection and Relief Operations (DDPRO), to be operational by 1 October 2002, the overall aim of the Project is to strengthen the new organization’s capacity and to establish appropriate sustainable mechanisms for disaster vulnerability reduction of population, infrastructure and economic assets in urban areas of Thailand, and to demonstrate the effectiveness of these mechanisms at city level.

Vietnam: Workshop on Safer Shelter in Vietnam - Towards Designing an Urban Disaster Mitigation Project

From 4-5 September 2002, more than 30 participants from government and non-governmental organizations attended a workshop on “Safer Shelter in Vietnam” organized by ADPC in collaboration with the Ministry of Construction, Vietnam Red Cross and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Disaster Management Center, and Central Committee for Flood and Storm Control. The workshop was organized to develop an ADPC urban disaster mitigation project in Vietnam under the AUDMP. The main objective of the project is to reduce the vulnerability of Vietnam’s shelters to flood and typhoon by building on the experiences and lessons of existing reconstruction and mitigation projects.

Before the workshop, an extensive consultative process took place over one year to conceptualize four project components. This workshop provided a forum to review the components and discuss strategies, opportunities and activities. The components are:

1. Risk Assessment
2. Shelter Delivery Options and Systems
3. Public Awareness and Capacity Building
4. Techno-financial Approaches for Shelter Delivery

Based on a rapid assessment of the nature and frequency of, and vulnerability to, disasters, there was a consensus to target Central Vietnam, with priority given to typhoon and flood hazards. The provinces identified as most vulnerable were Quang Tri and Thua Thien Hue.

 

About AUDMP AUDMP is an eight-year program designed to reduce the natural disaster vulnerability of urban populations, infrastructure, critical facilities and shelter in Asian cities. Currently, projects under the AUDMP are being implemented in sites in nine countries - Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Pipeline projects are planned in China and Vietnam. Core funding for the AUDMP comes from the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Additional funds come from ADPC and collaborating institutions in target countries. The program is managed by USAID's Regional and Urban Development Office for South Asia (RUDO/SA) and is implemented by ADPC in Bangkok, Thailand. For more information about AUDMP, please contact: Tel: (662) 524 5354 Fax: (662) 524 5350 E-mail: audmp@ait.ac.th Website: http://www.adpc.ait.ac.th/audmp/audmp.html