under the Asian Urban Disaster Mitigation Program (AUDMP)

BACKGROUND  The Asian Urban Disaster Mitigation Program (AUDMP): An Overview Asia is the most disaster prone region in the world. With rapidly increasing concentration of population, economic activity, infrastructure and critical facilities, Asian cities represent even greater vulnerability to disasters. By the year 2000, half the world's population was expected to live in urban areas, crowded into 3% of the earth's land. At least thirteen cities around the world, which are prone to natural hazards, have a population in the 10-25 million range. Of them, nine are in Asia! Disaster management experts all over the world believe that the current pattern of urban development does not give sufficient consideration to disaster reduction. This is making cities more and more vulnerable to disasters. The Asian Urban Disaster Mitigation Program (AUDMP) is an eight-year program designed to respond to the need for safer cities. The ultimate goal of the program is to reduce the natural disaster vulnerability of urban populations, infrastructure, lifeline facilities, and shelter in targeted cities in Asia. The program is managed by ADPC with core funding support from United States Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID-OFDA). At present, the AUDMP covers selected cities in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Nepal, Philippines and Sri Lanka. The program takes a three-tiered approach, which comprises National Demonstration Projects; Information and Networking; Training and Resource Materials and Continuing Education (TRMCE). Training and Education for Urban Disaster Mitigation Under the TRMCE component, AUDMP is developing five courses on different aspects of urban disaster mitigation. The course on Earthquake Vulnerability Reduction for Cities is one of these five courses. These courses are being delivered by ADPC at the regional and national levels in collaboration with selected institutions of specific countries. These institutions are encouraged to be members of the Asian Disaster Mitigation Training Network (ADMIT), which was established by ADPC in 1999. The ADMIT is a collaborative partnership among academic and professional organizations from government and non-government sectors, engaged in training, consultancy, research & information services on disaster management. ADMIT members presently come from the Philippines, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh, Cambodia and Indonesia, will be joining soon. Training on Earthquake Vulnerability Reduction An earthquake can be a frightening and destructive natural event. With increasing population and the potential encroachment of urban development into areas susceptible to earthquakes, vulnerability to earthquakes could intensify. However, we have begun to challenge the premise that earthquakes present an uncontrollable and unpredictable hazard to life and property. With greater understanding of the causes and effects of earthquakes, we may be able to reduce damage and loss of life from these destructive events. The course on Earthquake Vulnerability Reduction for Cities (EVRC1) has been designed to achieve this goal. With healthy experiences in providing similar courses for natural disaster mitigation within the Asian Region, ADPC aspires to provide a model training experience in this latest course by integrating well compiled study material, case studies, audio visual enhancement and interactive adult learning strategies. The course aspires to build on past and enduring endeavors such as Earthquakes and Mega cities Initiative (EMI), UN, IDNDR, ISDR initiative for Risk Assessment Tools for Diagnosis of Urban Areas against Seismic Disasters (RADIUS) and Global Earthquake Safety Initiative (GESI) launched by UNCRD and GeoHazard International. ADPC looks forward to further earthquake mitigation action beyond EVRC. LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS All teaching and course materials are in English. It is essential that participants are fully conversant in English. COURSE PURPOSE The course aspires to provide: Training on earthquake vulnerability reduction strategies Know-how for the development of organized approaches for earthquake vulnerability reduction Knowledge and skills for implementation of mitigation initiatives Appreciation of risk communication Analysis of the need to develop multi-sectoral partnerships for successful implementation of mitigation measures Field exposure to ongoing mitigation work COURSE CONTENTS Overview of Urbanization, Urban Hazards, Vulnerabilities, Risks and Disaster Management Earthquake Hazard and Risk Assessment Methods Earthquake Vulnerabilities Earthquake Vulnerability Reduction Methods Planning for Vulnerability Reduction Plan Implementation for Vulnerability Reduction PARTICIPANTS This course is particularly useful for those concerned with reduction of vulnerability to earthquakes in urban areas. It is open to all countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The targeted audience of the course is: Administrators and officials from provincial and city administrations, development and planning authorities. National level ministries, departments and institutions dealing with urban planning, development, housing, infrastructure, public works, utilities, waterworks, drainage, etc. Private sector corporations, builders, infrastructure developers, insurance companies and others Elected representatives from cities and towns Emergency response agencies and emergency planners Relief and rehabilitation agencies UN Agencies and International Organizations NGOs working on disaster mitigation, especially on earthquake mitigation Advocacy and Public Awareness campaigners etc. COURSE FEE STRUCTURE The course fee is US$2,000 per participant. Costs of books and materials are included in the fee. Course fee should be paid by money transfer/international demand draft (DD) in advance or by cash at the time of course registration. Kindly confirm mode of payment. ACCOMMODATION All participants will stay at the Royal Singhi during the course. The room rate is US$ 36 per night for a single room and US$ 20 per person for shared accommodation. Participants who prefer to stay in single rooms should inform ADPC in advance. SCHOLARSHIPS A limited number of partial scholarships may be available to deserving candidates from national government organizations or national NGOs paying from their own budgets. Applications for such support will be considered subject to confirmation of payment of 80% of the course fee. APPLICATIONS Interested persons can apply directly but preferably be nominated by their employers, sponsoring agencies, NGOs and private organizations. Applicants should complete the application form, or apply online at http://www.adpc.ait.ac.th/training/form.html, or send a letter by fax to ADPC that should include the following: Name, address, telephone, fax and email. Organizational affiliation. Resume, stating job title, present responsibilities and past experience A statement of reasons for attendance How the training relates to professional responsibilities. Letter of support from employer. Confirmation regarding payment of fees by your sponsoring organization. The cut off date for applications is 19 April 2002. In consideration of course efficiency and effectiveness, seats are limited to 30. ADPC will get applicants informed once their nomination is accepted. RESOURCE PERSONS Resource persons are selected experts from International Organizations, Educational and Research Institutions, National and Local Governments, Earthquake Vulnerability Reduction Practitioners and ADPC. CONTACT ADDRESS Director Training and Education Asian Disaster Preparedness Center Asian Institute of Technology P.O.Box 4 Klong Luang Pathumthani 12120 Thailand Tel: (66 2) 524 5354 / 524 5355 Fax: (66 2)524 5350 / 524 5360 E-mail: tedadpc@ait.ac.th Home Page: http://www.adpc.ait.ac.th