Participants in the recent online forum. (Photo: asean.org) This is the second event of a series of forums under the ASEAN Socio-CulturalCommunity (ASCC) Research and Development Platform Programme which bringsevidence-based research and insights to support ASEAN sectoral bodies in theiractivities. The programme is supported by the Japanese government through theJapan-ASEAN Integration Fund.
Highlighting that ASEAN is among the most disaster-prone regions in the world, DeputySecretary-General of ASEAN for ASCC Ekkaphab Phanthavong said the disastermanagement sector will need to be equipped with strong strategic analysis andtools to be prepared for the changing risk landscape in ASEAN.
Naoki Minamiguchi, the Director of Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund Management Team,noted that the forum aims to assist ASEAN in achieving substantial reduction ofdisaster losses in lives and assets and to enhance disaster resilience in theregion through collaboration and cooperation in disaster management.
He emphasised the importance of actionable policy tools and innovativemethodologies to be readily applied to the disaster sector.
The project’s advisor team, Resilience Development Initiative (RDI),highlighted the complex interactions between climate hazards, exposure andvulnerability, and disaster management. To respond to these interactions andcome up with viable solutions, they advised that new adaptive approaches todisaster management will be needed.
However, Dr. Mizan Bisri from RDI warned that there are several problems inutilising disaster-related technology while suggesting the digitally matureapproach to Disaster Risk Reduction Management as an option for ASEAN toaddress the existing gaps in disaster management.
Dr. Riyanti Djalante, Head of the Disaster Management and HumanitarianAssistance Division reiterated that training and capacity buildings programmeswill be crucial in utilising application technologies and ICT assets, andparticipation in ASEAN activities and programmes should be prioritised tosupport localisation of disaster management.
At the forum, delegates also discussed localisation of disaster risk managementin ASEAN, and recommended creating shared understanding and greaterdissemination of localisation strategies as well as developing a localisationroadmap at regional and country level./.
VNA
