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Institute for Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management Crisis and Emergency Management Newsletter Website |
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January
2004
Volume 5
- Number 4 |
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Documentation of the activities of the World Bank’s ProVention Consortium
By Laura Rabb
The World Bank’s ProVention Consortium, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center are three organizations that are focused on preventing or reducing the effects of natural disasters on developing countries. Ninety-five percent of disaster-related deaths occurr in developing countries and the economic cost of natural disasters can be 20 times higher in terms of gross domestic product for developing countries than for industrialized nations. Also, developing countries often lack state-of-the art technical and scientific expertise to prevent or reduce future devastation. Approximately 80% of the world’s climate-related disasters occur in Asia and the next most impacted region is Latin America. ProVention is an international coalition of more than 40 governments, international organizations, private insurance companies, academic institutions, and nongovernmental organizations that was initiated by the World Bank in February 2000. The goal is to support developing countries to reduce the risk and social, economic and environmental impact of natural and technological disasters on the poor. Activities are aimed at advancing policy and practice in disaster risk management and are categorized as risk identification, risk reduction, risk sharing/transfer, or knowledge sharing. ProVention is supporting multiple projects across these categories. Global risks to natural disasters appear to be increasing and the overall level of assistance available for emergencies in the world has been shrinking. The IABD realizes that these trends make it necessary for the region to break the cycle of destruction and reconstruction and address the root causes of vulnerability, rather than just treating the symptoms when a disaster happens. The main purpose of IABD's participation in the field of natural and unexpected disasters is to assist member countries in effectively protecting and resuming their socio-economic development. In March 2000, the IADB developed a plan of action, Facing the Challenge of Natural Disasters in Latin America and the Caribbean: An IDB Action Plan. The Natural Disaster Management Strategy is located within the Sustainable Development Department. The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) was established in 1986 as a regional resource center working towards disaster reduction for safer communities and sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific. ADPC programs are widely diverse to address all types of disasters, and cover all aspects of disaster management from prevention and mitigation, through preparedness and response, to reconstruction and rehabilitation. The aim is to encourage policy and decision makers to incorporate these aspects of disaster management into the policy and development plans of countries and communities to reduce the impact of disasters. ADPC acts as a clearing house of information on disaster management in Asia and the Pacific, provides technical service, training, and education at regional, national, and community levels, promotes regional cooperation in Asia, promotes technology transfer and cooperation and provides assistance to other regions and sub-regions. World Bank’s ProVention Consortium (www.proventionconsortium.org) The ProVention Consortium is
an
international coalition of governments, international organizations,
private
insurance companies, academic institutions, and nongovernmental
organizations
that was initiated by the World Bank in February 2000.
The goal of ProVention is to support developing
countries to reduce the risk and social, economic and environmental
impact of
natural and technological disasters on the poor. Some
95 percent of disaster-related deaths occurred in developing
countries, the economic cost of natural disasters can be 20 times
higher in
terms of gross domestic product for developing countries than for
industrialized nations, and developing countries often lack
state-of-the art
technical and scientific expertise to prevent or reduce future
devastation. ProVention activities are aimed at advancing policy and practice in disaster risk management. Activities are categorized as risk identification, risk reduction, risk sharing/transfer, or knowledge sharing. The following are descriptions of the categories, projects that are currently underway, and the objectives for the projects for each category of activity: 1. Risk Identification (Assessing Hazards, Vulnerability and the Impacts of Disasters). Risks must be identified so informed decisions can be made on where to invest and how to design sustainable projects that will withstand the potential impact of disaster events. A more complete understanding of the full economic, financial, and social impacts on a country help to demonstrate the importance of including risk reduction measures in any development strategy. a. Economic and Financial Impacts of Natural Disasters: An Assessment of Their Effects and Options for Mitigation Background. This project seeks to increase understanding of the wider economic impacts of natural disasters, factors determining the vulnerability of hazard-prone economies, opportunities for mitigation and factors inhibiting their adoption. b. Methodology and Standards for Damage and Needs Assessments. To develop and promote global standards and a methodology for collecting and processing data on social, economic and environmental impacts, and recovery requirements immediately following a disaster. c. Identification and Analysis of Global Disaster Risk Hotspots. To support global-scale prioritization of international risk identification and disaster reduction efforts through identification of geographic areas of highest disaster risk potential. d. Improved Database for the Social and Economic Analysis of Disaster Impacts. To make publicly available a high quality global database of socio-economic impacts of disasters and to improve future data quality through systematic reporting of standardized disaster damage assessment data. e. Modeling the Macroeconomic Impacts of Natural Disasters. What impact do natural disasters have on the development of poor countries? It is well known that natural catastrophes cause sharp increases in poverty; what is uncertain is the extent of their long-term impact on the economic viability of developing nations. f. Methodologies for Assessing Natural Hazard Risks and the Net Benefits of Mitigation. To ensure that risks emanating from natural hazards are considered as a matter of course in the design of all projects in hazard-prone areas, including more socially orientated as well as infrastructure projects, and appropriate measures taken to reduce risk. 2. Risk Reduction (Avoiding Hazards and Reducing Vulnerability). Disasters result when natural or technological events coincide with a vulnerable human settlement. Strategies to avoid hazards include land use and development planning and resistance strategies to ensure that safe structures are built that can withstand the effects of extreme events. The aim is to provide scientific and technical knowledge as well as methods to overcome the socioeconomic, institutional and political barriers to the embracing of effective risk reduction strategies. a. International Evaluation of Recovery Efforts for Massive Natural Disasters. To identify lessons for ongoing and future efforts of the international community in providing assistance for post-disaster reconstruction and recovery. b. Critical Infrastructure, Disaster Vulnerability and the Role of the Private Sector. To identify priorities for policy, research, and operational programs for the protection of critical infrastructure (social, physical, and financial) from disaster impacts, particularly in urban areas. c. Strengthening Community Flood Resilience through Local Partnerships in Sudan. To reduce the risk in selected flood prone areas in Sudan through the introduction and development of effective preparedness and mitigation measures. d. Reduced Vulnerability to Climate Variability. To improve capacity, coordination and use of early warning and other risk reduction mechanisms for climate extremes. 3. Risk Sharing/Transfer (Protecting Investments and Sharing the Costs). In addition to such mechanisms as insurance, which may involve direct insurers and reinsurers, there is also an interest in developing tools to assist the very poor to more effectively manage disaster risk. These may include safety nets, calamity funds, or informal insurance arrangements. a. Innovations in Managing Catastrophic Risk: How Can They Help the Poor? To explore innovations in the area of risk transfer, sharing, and financing for more effective management of disaster risk. b.
Application
of Microfinance and Microinsurance for Disaster Risk Management. To explore the potential for using
microfinance and microinsurance services and instruments to improve
disaster
risk management by very poor households and communities in developing
countries. 4. Knowledge Sharing (Disseminating Information and Building Capacity). A central goal of the ProVention Consortium is to increase access to information that can help communities reduce their vulnerability to disasters, and to connect and leverage resources that will facilitate that goal. To achieve that goal, this category of activity focuses on sharing knowledge on disaster risk management, raising awareness, and training. a. Knowledge and Learning Program. To develop, consolidate and disseminate content on disaster risk management for the global community through the implementation of an integrated learning and dissemination program. b. Applied Research Grants for Disaster Risk Reduction. To support innovative risk management projects and the promotion of competent professionals in developing countries dedicated to reducing disaster risk. One of the grant recipients is my fellow Crisis and Emergency Management student, Kerry Hinds Disaster Management Strategy of the Inter-American Development Bank (www.iadb.org) The Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) was founded in 1950 as an initiative of the Latin American Countries. Global risks to natural disasters appear to be increasing and the overall level of assistance available for emergencies in the world has been shrinking. These trends make it necessary for the region to break the cycle of destruction and reconstruction and address the root causes of vulnerability, rather than just treating the symptoms when a disaster happens. The main purpose of IABD's participation in the field of natural and unexpected disasters is to assist member countries in effectively protecting and resuming their socio-economic development. The new focus would place disaster prevention and mitigation at the forefront of the region's development agenda. In March 2000, the IADB developed a plan of action, Facing the Challenge of Natural Disasters in Latin America and the Caribbean: An IDB Action Plan. The Natural Disaster Management Strategy is located within the Sustainable Development Department. Six strategic areas were identified for IADB assistance to help countries adopt comprehensive risk management policies:
In December of 1999, the Regional Policy Dialogue was created with the aim of establishing a space for the expansion and exploration of dialogue between borrowing member countries. It is a mechanism that would contribute to the exchange of experiences between countries, prepare them to face the vast challenges of globalization, and generate processes for regional cooperation. “Management of Natural Disasters” is one of the topics selected for the initial phase of the Dialogue and is known as the “Natural Disasters Network”. The National Disasters Network has had three meetings, each with a central topic: National Systems and Institutional Mechanisms for the Comprehensive Management of Disaster Risk; Alternative Government Strategies to Reconstruction Financing when Resource Gaps are Imminent; and Disaster Risk Management at the Local Level. The central topic for the fourth meeting is “Disaster Risk Reduction through Environmental Management: The Use of Incentives." Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (www.adpc.net) The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) was established in 1986 as a regional resource center working towards disaster reduction for safer communities and sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific. It was initially established as an outreach center of the Asian Institute of Technology and became an independent international foundation in 1999. ADPC programs are widely diverse to address all types of disasters, and cover all aspects of disaster management from prevention and mitigation, through preparedness and response, to reconstruction and rehabilitation. The aim is to encourage policy and decision makers to incorporate these aspects of disaster management into the policy and development plans of countries and communities to reduce the impact of disasters. ADPC acts as a clearing house of information on disaster management in Asia and the Pacific, provides technical service, training, and education at regional, national, and community levels, promotes regional cooperation in Asia, promotes technology transfer and cooperation and provides assistance to other regions and sub-regions. There are
four divisions within the center: Partnerships, Development,
and Information Research; Training and Education; Technical Services;
and
Regional Programs. The following
describes the three key functional areas and regional programs of ADPC: 1. Partnerships, Development, and Information Research. This division promotes and consolidates partnership with Disaster Management organizations internationally and in countries of the region. The main activities cover: assessment of needs in the region, planning and development, marketing and new program development, partner relations, monitoring and evaluation, and network facilitation. The ADPC library database has over 6,000 entries, which include publications, reports, case studies, and research papers. ADPC also receives over 60 special newsletters and periodicals from research centers all around the world and has an inventory of over 500 videos and other audio-visual materials. ADPC also publishes a quarterly newsletter, Asian Disaster Management News. 2. Training and Education. Services provided by the Training and Education division include training needs assessment, design training curriculum, conduct training courses and evaluation and organizing study tours to meet the special needs of different audiences. The training courses can be classified into 3 categories: a. Regional courses. These courses have been developed to improve the knowledge and skills of professionals on various aspects of disaster management in the light of regional disaster management needs. The courses are held annually. b. Program based courses. Under different programs, the ADPC develops courses at the national level in different countries with the collaboration of national level training organizations on specific aspects of disaster management. c.
Special
courses. These courses are developed
upon request from governments, international and UN agencies, NGOs and
private
sector. They focus on meeting the needs expressed by requesting
agencies. 3. Technical Services. This division is involved in matching specialist expertise with the needs of disaster and development oriented organizations. The main services and activities include:
4. Regional Programs. These programs constitute a major element of ADPC's activities and draw upon ADPC's strength in the areas of training, information, research, networking and technical assistance. The following are active regional programs: a. Asian Urban Disaster Mitigation Program. The goal of the program is to reduce the disaster vulnerability of urban populations, infrastructure, critical facilities, and shelter in selected cities throughout Asia. Projects are being implemented in eight countries. b. Disaster Reduction Program for Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam. This program has three main objectives: to strengthen institutional capacities of national disaster management systems; to develop and improve disaster risk communication strategies and materials aimed at reducing community level disaster risks; and to provide increased accessibility to disaster management information. c. Program for Understanding Extreme Climate Events. More than 80% of the world’s climate-related disasters occurred in Asia. The objectives of this program are to compile the wealth of information that exists at the national level and to document it, so that the scientific community and decision makers can access it readily; draw upon national and international forecasting experts to identify indicators of impending extreme climate events; provide an interface between the scientific community of climate information producers and the users of this information; and to promote the development of sustainable institutional mechanisms for the application of climate information to reduce the disastrous effects of extreme climate events in selected Asian countries. d. Program for Enhancement of Emergency Response. The program will improve the search and rescue capability and performance of first responders. The program will also develop the country’s capacity to organize and conduct their own training in Medical First Response and Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue. REFERENCES All information for this memorandum was found on the web sites of the three organizations: ProVention Consortium: Inter-American Development Bank: www.iadb.org and http://www.iadb.org/sds/ENV/site_2493_e.htm Asian Disaster Preparedness Center: ACRONYMS ADPC Asian Disaster Preparedness Center IADB Inter-American Development Bank
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