Where is an urgent countermeasure when the world needs one Nature hadn't been easy on Asia. Super typhoon mega megi is approaching Hong Kong from Philippines, Pakistan just this year greatly suffered from both Hunza Lake disaster and floods, and more than 600,000 people were displaced by tropical Cyclone Ketsana in the Philippines on 26 September 2009. But what are we to worry when we have way more than twelve Olympians to put heads together
Vanguards of the disaster risk reduction gathered at the 4th Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction at Songdo ConvensiA from October 25-28.
Dr. Park Yeon-soo, administrator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) welcomed the guests and said, "This Asian Ministeral Conference is a conference co-hosted by the United Nations, City of Incheon, and NEMA in order to discuss the mutual cooperation method and unified resolution for the disaster issues, such as heavy rain and catastrophic typhoon caused by the climate change, with the Ministers of disaster management departments in Asia-Pacific region, UN agencies, NGOs, and so on. We are here to pursue safer future by suggesting 'Regional Roadmap and Action Plan for DRR through CCA' in Asia-Pacific region."
World Meteorological Organization (WMO), UNESCAP, Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC), and related parties in a total number of 100 leaders gathered in Incheon, Republic of Korea, to refine ministerial declaration, reasonable roadmap, and active plan for the current and future natural disasters.
The current threat of super typhoon mega-megi here also was heavily discussed to find the way together to reduce the damage. Every country that attended AMCDRR learned from tragic experiences that collaboration between the countries is essential as well as adapting climate.
Two Heads are Better than One
"From a great damage of Ondoy last year, we learned new lessons in coping and adaptation; just as we have learned from the past - lessons learned that contributed to our policies, plans and programs in disaster risk management. Two important Philippine laws were subsequently passed to address the imperatives of disaster risk reduction as well as climate change adaptation (CCA) in every Filipino's way of life, every local government unit, each government agency and all sectors of society.
The Philippine Climate Change Act of 2009 and the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 provide framework and basis for linking and integrating CCA and DRR. In the same manner, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council for DRR and the Climate Change Commission for CCA are closely working together. In building synergy, we are now looking into harmonizing policy provisions and interlocking issues so that DRR and CCA can be mainstreamed into national and local planning, budgeting and decision making processes. We also pursue programs that aim to raise the consciousness of our people on the relevance of climate change and disaster risk reduction in their daily lives. We pledge our commitment to support the Incheon REMAP to take proactive steps in integrating CCA with DRR," said the Secretary and Chairperson Voltaire T. Gazmin of Philippines.
No Pain No Gain
Fiji, a country located within the cyclone belt of the Southern Hemisphere added, "Last week, Fiji completed its review on how far it has progressed with the implementation of the Hyogo Disaster Risk Management Framework for Action and the Pacific Regional Reduction. They both clearly mapped out how small countries like Fiji can on its own or with very little assistance develop its DRM program. The Disaster Risk Management issues to be addressed were conveniently covered in six thematic areas: Governance-organizational, institutional, policy and decision making frameworks, Knowledge, information public awareness and education, Analysis and Evaluation of Hazards (Vulnerabilities and Elements at Risk), Planning for effective preparedness, Effective, integrated and people focused early warning systems, and Reduction of the underlying risk factors. Tragic experiences with Samoan Tsunami last year and the Tonga and Vanuatu undersea earthquake this year contributed valuable lessons which have been used to improve the current system. The search for a design for a suitable Alarm System that can be used for all hazards have been very successful. A local company has designed and produced a very suitable system. This has been tested to our satisfaction, but would require assistance in funding to be installed. Japan has signed a MOU with us in August this year to develop the Ba River Flood Early Warning system and New Zealand Aid funded us for the Rewa River Project. We deeply thank fellow partners and supporters of DRM and CCA programs. There is no way we can do this on our own, and we are confident of your continued assistance."
Missing Wheel
Tuvalu also was in a great need of funding. "The Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015 makes reference to the need to promote the development of financial risk-sharing mechanisms, particularly insurance and reinsurance against disasters," Minister of Home Affairs Willy Telavi from Government of Tuvalu continued, "This is one area which appears to be missing from the Incheon Regional Roadmap. It is a significant omission. Highly vulnerable countries in the Pacific cannot afford insurance against the impacts of climate change. We do not have a big enough funding pool to underwrite the costs associated with climate change damage. What we clearly need is a source of funding that effectively subsidizes a regional insurance arrangement. We are talking about impacts that are far beyond the scope of individual governments to respond. Tuvalu stands ready to be part of the solution, and we appreciate this opportunity to discuss the challenges for improving disaster risk management in Asia and the Pacific."
Together Shall We Improve
Willie Jimmy Tapanga Rarus, Vanuatu Ambassador also spoke on behalf of its government and summarized the whole session by saying, "Mr. Chairman, in conclusion, Vanuatu sharing common concerns with my other pacific small island Sates Ministers and official representatives who are here today share the same struggle due to developed industrialized nations who are major contributors to increasing risk and vulnerabilities of our island nation. I must say that it is alarming for the safety and security of our states in the context of disasters and climate change impacts. Therefore, Vanuatu will remain committed in a proactive ways to voice our concern and to seek, secure further support from international, regional as well as donor countries to play a proactive assistance in the area of strengthening national capacities, technical assistance, and an established sustain risk financing mechanism agreement as a joint effort to build disaster and climate resilience nation."
Finding Solution Together
Kim Hak-su, Chair of Advisory Committee for 4th AMCDRR and UN affairs in NEMA Korea said, "In-depth discussions are by far made to refine ministerial declaration, reasonable roadmap, and active plan for the current and future natural disasters.
More than any other part of the world, Asia is vulnerable to disasters caused by climate change and has been increasingly suffering from frequent flooding and drought. I believe that the conference will produce practical and concrete plans to reduce disaster risks in Asia-Pacific region."
