Report of Regional Report of Regional Consultation on Early Warning Consultation on Early Warning Systems in Asia and the PacificSystems in Asia and the Pacific

Presented by

Ti Le-Huu, UNESCAP,On Behalf of

Dr Toshikatsu Omachi, Executive Director, IDI-Japan, and

Dr Yuichi Ono, UN/ISDR Secretariat

Organization of Asia-Pacific Organization of Asia-Pacific Regional Consultation WorkshopRegional Consultation Workshop

Workshop was held in Bandung, Indonesia from 26-28 May 2003

jointly organized by UN/ISDR, UNESCAP, DGGMR of Indonesia and BGR of Germany.

30 participants from Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Viet Nam and international organizations: UNESCAP, UN/ISDR, UNDP, Mekong River Commission, GTZ and an NGO attended the Workshop

Main Points of DiscussionMain Points of DiscussionImportance of natural hazardsDisaster patterns Advances and constraints in dealing

with the disasters; Experiences in related national

planningNeeds and recommended priority

actions

Major Hazards in Asia & PacificMajor Hazards in Asia & PacificWorkshop’s ResultsFloodsLandslidesVolcanic eruptionDrought & forest firesStorm windEarthquakesLand subsidence

UNESCAP Surveys Floods Cyclones Earthquakes Droughts Tornadoes Debris flows Hailstorms Storm surges Tsunamis Haze

Factors in Successful ExamplesFactors in Successful Examples

AwarenessInstitutional capacityEffectiveness of EWSPublic education policyBudget and human resourcesAccurate forecasts, and Good planning

In India, it appears to be decreasing in recent years.

In Thailand, overall trends are increasing, except damage slightly decreases in recent years

All trends are increasing, except number of houses

Examples of Best PracticesExamples of Best Practices

Cyclone and Flood EWS: Typhoon Committee, Panel on Tropical Cyclones, Mekong River Commission and several countries in the region

Volcanic eruption EWS: Japan and several pilot schemes in Indonesia

Forest fire EWS: Integrated Forest Fire Management Project - East Kalimantan

Community-based disaster management: Typhoon Committee and DIPECHO

Recommended National ActionsRecommended National Actions(1) to make available risk maps(2) to carry out awareness campaigns (3) to enhance institutional capacity(4) to develop national guidelines(5) to provide information to local people(6) to introduce EWS to schools(7) to enforce standard operation procedures(8) to increase budget resources(9) to enforce participatory planning(10) to improve monitoring in EWS.

Recommended region actions (1)Recommended region actions (1)Support forums for dialogue to share

information, technology and best practices and to improve cooperation at all levels

Support integration of disaster risk management into national development process

Develop and implement EWS, especially for flash floods, landslides and forest fires

Establish and develop community-based disaster preparedness programmes

Establish a financial facility to enhance risk management of developing countries

Recommended region actions (2)Recommended region actions (2)Develop and strengthen database to

facilitate resource allocationImprove public awareness on disaster

vulnerabilityEnhance hydrologic and meteorological

forecast capabilitySupport projects to facilitate application of

forecasts at the national, local and community levels

Enhance research on earthquake risk analysis

Concluding Remarks on Concluding Remarks on Follow-up Activities of EWC-IIFollow-up Activities of EWC-II

Activities be linked to Progress Review of Yokohama Action Plan Implementation

Activities be built on expected achievements of existing regional efforts on EWS: Typhoon Committee “Strategic Plan”, GFAS of IFNet, MRC Flood Management Program, DIPECHO Partnership Disaster Reduction, UN/ISDR Radius Program, GTZ Forest Fires Management, etc

Pilot projects are recommended for more effective impacts at the regional level