Message from the ADPC Executive Director

Editorial Corner

The PDR-SEA Project

Laying the Foundation

Hands Across The Continent

Sharing Ideas, Mitigations Disasters

Grassroots Response to Disaster Management

ECHOs From The Field

Channels of Information

Upcoming Events

Breakthroughs

Stakes

E-Links

Publications

• A quarterly newsletter (print and electronic)
• An updated ADPC library information database available to all target countries
• A website
• A 20-page booklet on Disaster Management in South East Asia
• Documentation of the needs of National Disaster Management Organizations (NDMOs) for regional collaboration
• An inventory of early warning systems in the target countries.

Networking and Coordination

• Facilitation of the work of regional forums for disaster management and a regional workshop of NDMOs
• Expansion of the Asian Disaster Mitigation Training Network (ADMIT).

Capacity-Building

• A training program for representatives from NDMOs in target countries
• Documentation of training and education packages, and public awareness campaign materials
• An overview of current disaster management training needs in the target countries
• Upgrading of selected existing training and education methodologies and packages
• Review of two disaster management simulation exercises
• Phase I upgrading of a computer-assisted crisis management simulation exercise (ATLANTIS)
• Nationally-adapted versions of CBDM trainerÕs guides, coordinatorÕs manuals, reference materials and teaching aids
• Training support for the development and implementation of local level disaster risk reduction programs
• Training of 16 trainers in CBDM from DIPECHO target countries.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

The components deal with information exchange, networking, a disaster management training, database, and capacity building.

Component 1: To develop a comprehensive strategy for information exchange, enhanced networking among NGOs and a dialogue on disaster reduction among key stakeholders.

ADPC will undertake a study to review regional information and networking needs, and then organize a working group meeting of partner representatives to present the findings. The outcome will be a consensus on an information strategy to be implemented at both regional and national levels. Within this strategy, ADPC will seek a mandate to design, host, maintain and operate specific elements, such as a newsletter, and to update the ADPC library and regional strategy homepages for the benefit of all partners, as well as to provide technical support to elements to be operated directly by partners in Laos and Vietnam. A 20-page booklet on Disaster Management in South East Asia will also be published.

Component 2: To strengthen networking and information sharing among national disaster management coordinating organizations (NDMOs) of DIPECHO target countries, and to strengthen the work of existing mechanisms (particularly the ASEAN Regional Forum and the ASEAN Experts Group in Disaster Management).

ADPC will work in consultation with NDMOs to review existing mechanisms for regional cooperation and support them in developing improved ways to share information, coordinate activities and undertake joint ventures in capacity building and institutional strengthening. This will be done through in-country consultations, with the findings presented in a regional meeting of NDMOs of the seven South East Asian DIPECHO target countries. The consultations will cover issues such as institutional arrangements for transnational disaster management, early warning systems, resource mobilization, policy development, contributions of military and civil defense assets to regional relief operations, and stocktaking of disaster information systems in place in the different countries. Building on identified priority needs of the ASEAN Regional Forum, current national capacities in early warning systems will be reviewed and steps taken for improvement. In addition, specially-designed one-week training courses in disaster management will be conducted for middle level officials in NDMOs and member ministries and departments.

Component 3: To review, update and develop a database of disaster management training and awareness materials, and to improve specific training packages and simulation exercises.

This component builds upon ADPCÕs extensive 14-year experience in conducting 27 international Disaster Management courses (DMC), and training over 2,500 people using materials developed over the years. ADPC will collect and preliminarily review existing training and education packages and public awareness campaign materials and, in partnership with national consultants, undertake a preliminary analysis of disaster management training gaps.

Component 4: To build the capability of DIPECHO partners and selected NGOs in the Community-Based Disaster Management (CBDM) process, thus enabling them to reduce the disaster risk in their communities.