Editorial

Dear Readers,

We are pleased to offer you this third issue of the PDR-SEA News, which focuses on community-based flood prevention, mitigation and preparedness activities in the region. ECHO-supported projects in Cambodia and Vietnam have provided a wide range of community-based solutions to problems caused by flooding - from construction of flood shelters with sirens and lights to facilitate timely early warning, to training and equipping of search and rescue teams, training of households in basic health and hygiene to prevent diseases brought by floods, and flood mitigation micro-projects. The lead article by NMSI Arambepola places these projects within the perspective of a comprehensive flood management strategy for Southeast Asia.

The experience of the Community-Based Flood Mitigation and Preparedness Project of ADPC's Asian Urban Disaster Mitigation Program (AUDMP) is featured in order to draw lessons from flood mitigation projects proposed and implemented by villagers in target communities in Cambodia. Other initiatives in the region are also highlighted - the use of local theater to get across messages about flood damage prevention, retrofitting of houses and communal facilities to enable them to withstand floods, and the mobilization of NGOs, people's organizations and the church and business sectors to prepare for a possible lahar and massive flooding from the crater lake at Mount Pinatubo. The Mekong River Commission's strategy on flood management and mitigation is also featured.

Flood information resources are also provided - electronic links to useful sites and online documents - in addition to the article written by NMSI Arambepola on facts about floods.

We are grateful to our partners who accepted our invitation to comprise the editorial panel. Together with the DIPECHO Representative and ADPC staff, they have ensured that this publication will be relevant and useful to you.

The next issue will focus on best practices and lessons learned in community-based disaster management. We look forward to receiving your articles on the experiences, insights and activities that you would like to share with colleagues in the region.

Our best wishes for a fruitful New Year to all of you.

Lolita Bildan
lolita@ait.ac.th