Disaster Risk Management in East Asia and the Pacific - 2010 Series

story from Tokyo Development Learning Center
Beginning April 1st, 2010 and continuing through the year

Introduction

Natural disasters are a main source of risk for the poor, present a serious obstacle to achieving sustainable social and economic development. Disasters affect the poor most severely thus, measures taken to manage hazards and reduce their impact provide an effective vehicle to make substantial advances in fight against poverty. The countries of East Asia and the Pacific are among the most vulnerable in the world to effects caused by disasters.

A joint Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) was signed between ASEAN, UN/ISDR, and the WB in May 2009, marking the beginning of a five year partnership. The WB supports capacity building activities and is organizing this series of videoconferences to assist clients in enhancing their knowledge on DRM in the region. A similar MoC is under preparation with the Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC).

About the Distance Learning Seminar Series

As part of the EAP Sector Management Unit Initiatives, which is a program promoting outreach and knowledge-sharing, the East Asia and Pacific Disaster Risk Management (DRM) team, in collaboration with the Global Development Learning Network (GDLN), has planned Disaster Risk Management Distance Learning Seminar Series for EAP client countries to build capacity and increase knowledge of all professionals who will be involved in DRM activities as well as to help them drive the agenda for DRM activities in their respective countries and empower local partners. This seminar series will highlight the following areas:

• Post-disaster response and recovery planning
• Disaster risk assessment, prevention and mitigation
• Emergency preparedness and early warning systems

Within these three areas of focus, this series is comprised of 5 sessions delivered via VC by connecting 5-7 countries in the region starting from April through December 2010. Support for this initiative has been provided by the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR).

Partners

See also:

• Conducting Post-disaster Damage and Needs Assessments (PDNAs)
• Conducting multi-hazard risk assessments
• Microinsurance and its application in disaster risk management programs
• Session 4: It Is Not Too Late: Preparing for East Asia’s Next Big Earthquake
• Session 5: Urban Flood Risk Management: Experiences of Cities
• Session 6:  Open-source risk vs. Proprietary risk models