Scaling Up Early Warning to Save Lives and Build Resilience in Asia-Pacific

ESCAP Trust Fund for Tsunami, Disaster and Climate Preparedness

14th Advisory Council Meeting 21 August 2014

Disasters Continue to Devastate the Region Costing thousands of lives and billions of dollars in damage…..

In 2013 alone:

• Typhoon Haiyan – the Philippines: Over 6,000 people killed, 16 million affected.

• Cyclone Phailin - India: 13 million people affected.

• Cyclone Mahasen – Bangladesh: 1.5 million people affected.

Despite Progress in Building Resilience, Critical Gaps Remain in Early Warning

Additional investments are urgently required...

Critical gaps include:

• Reaching the most vulnerable people and remote communities with timely warnings.

• Educating communities and local authorities on the changing and more intensive hazards, including those related to climate change.

• Testing and updating Standard Operating Procedures and contingency plans. Evacuation exercises are a high priority.

• Ensuring adequate monitoring and warning services in countries with high risk and low domestic capacity.

=> Need to scale up and share initial initiatives, good practices and innovations.

Genesis of the Trust Fund From initial focus on tsunamis to multi-hazard, costal resilience…

Purpose:

• Providing financial support to strengthen early warning.

• Focusing primarily on coastal hazards in Indian Ocean and Southeast Asian countries.

• Covering e.g. typhoons, cyclones, storm surges, coastal zone flooding and tsunamis.

Background/History:

2004: Indian Ocean Tsunami.

2005: Thailand founding contribution of US$ 10 million.

2010: Scope expanded from tsunami to include disaster and climate preparedness for multiple coastal hazards.

2013: New strategy approved for Phase 2 of the Trust Fund.

ESCAP Trust Fund – Phase 1 US$ 13 million invested in 23 projects…

Cutting-edge regional solutions:

• The Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System established (2011). Projected to save on average 1,000 lives annually over the next 100 years.

Innovation:

• New, cost-effective warning products and services created and delivered through RIMES, especially useful for countries with limited domestic capacity.

Critical gaps filled:

• Installed seismic and sea-level stations in Myanmar, the Philippines and Viet Nam, sharing data with national, regional and global networks.

ESCAP Trust Fund – Phase 1 19 Indian Ocean and Southeast Asian countries benefitted directly…

Fostering collaboration:

• Annual Monsoon Forums established and supported in Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Seasonal forecasts are shared and follow-up actions agreed at each Forum.

New knowledge and awareness:

• Iran and Pakistan supported in documenting the 1945 Makran Tsunami and raising awareness among communities at risk.

Strengthened response capacities:

• Standard Operating Procedures for tsunami warning and response developed and strengthened in Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam.

ESCAP Trust Fund – Phase 1 Breakdown of funding by recipient organization…

ESCAP Trust Fund - Phase 2 Investing in a safer tomorrow…

Strategy for 2013-2016:

• Responds to calls for additional support from member States.

• New strategy has three pillars:

1. regional mechanisms

2. specific country needs

3. civil society innovations and business sector initiatives

• Germany/GIZ provided new contribution of $675,000 for Phase 2.

• But: additional contributions required to meet the critical needs in early warning in the region.

A Unique, Coordinated Funding Mechanism Leveraging ESCAP’s role and comparative advantages…

• Needs driven. The Trust Fund addresses unmet needs and gaps, and supports innovative, potentially high impact initiatives.

• Targeted. Clear focus on strengthening early warning for coastal hazards.

• Partnership based. UN partners and member States contribute to the Trust Fund’s strategy.

• Quality controlled. Project proposals are peer reviewed by experts in the Trust Fund’s Inter-Agency Task Force.

• Strategically positioned. Builds on ESCAP’s key role in convening regional cooperation and facilitating knowledge sharing and advocacy.

Effective Management with Member States Oversight and Active Involvement

Inter-Agency Task Force: reviews proposals and provides technical advice.

Advisory Council: makes final decisions on funding and sets strategic direction.

ESCAP Grants Committee: oversees financial procedures and ensures compliance with UN rules and regulations.

ESCAP Secretariat: provides day-to-day management.

Generous Support to the Trust Fund Provided by Several Member States

Donor Contributions:

Thailand: $ 10 million

Sweden: $ 2.9 million

Germany/GIZ: $ 682,000

Turkey: $ 200,000

Japan: $ 50,000

Philippines: $ 20,000

Bangladesh: $ 10,000

Nepal: $ 2,000

Total: $ 13,864,000

(all figures in US$, as of August 2014)

Now is the Time to Scale up Support and Partner with the ESCAP Trust Fund

What your country can do:

• Contribute financially

• Take part in the governance

• Propose projects

• Engage in technical cooperation