Asian Program for Regional Capacity Enhancement for Landslide Impact Mitigation (RECLAIM) 

Introduction 

Every year, Asia accounts for the highest number of disaster events and the highest number of fatalities and affected victims in the world. According to CRED statistics (2004), though the occurrences of number of major disasters have decreased, small disaster events in isolated areas are increasing causing more damages and fatalities cumulatively. However, such isolated events are not given much consideration by the decision-makers and the communities themselves. For example, landslide disasters escape the categorization of “major disasters” due to their isolated occurrences and low fatality rate in one event. However, the cumulative fatal impacts of landslides on human lives, properties, socio-economic dimensions and the environment are greater than cyclones and hurricanes. During the last decade, out of the total number of people killed and affected worldwide from landslides, Asia accounts for more than 88% (CRED, 2004). However, little efforts have been made by the stakeholder institutions to understand the social and technical dimensions of this serious issue and thereby to develop cost effective landslide mitigation solutions.  

The limited number of interventions in landslide mitigation activities in the Asian region had opted ADPC together with NGI to implement the Asian Program for Regional Capacity Enhancement for Landslide Impact Mitigation (RECLAIM). RECLAIM Phase II focused on demonstrating cost effective mitigation measures as well as national and regional level knowledge sharing of best practices on landslide risk mitigation in seven (7) partnering countries namely, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka & Thailand.

During the First World Landslide Forum held in Japan 2008, ADPC was recognized as one of the “World Centre of Excellence on Landslide Risk Reduction” for its successful work done under the RECLAIM program.

Project Implementing Partner 

Norwegian Geotechnical Institute

Established in 1953, and with a present staff of 200 employees at its headquarter in Oslo, NGI is a well known international centre for research and consulting within geo-technical and geo- environmental engineering. It is organized as a private independent foundation. Within the field of natural hazards like landslides, flooding aspects and earthquake engineering, NGI has served clients in most part of the world. Of particular relevance for the proposed program are the recent projects that NGI has undertaken in Venezuela, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Madagascar, The Caucasus Region, India, Bhutan and Hong Kong to assist on landslide preventive measures. With the newly established International Centre for Geohazards (ICG) at NGI’s premises, the resource base within this discipline has grown significantly.

 

Topics in this section:

• Home
• Overview
• Participating Institutions:
• Activities
• Achievements

For more information, contact
Mr. NMSI Arambepola
arambepola@adpc.net