2012 AIWST-DR (ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP & EXPO ON SUMATRA TSUNAMI AND DISASTER REDUCTION) BANDA ACEH OF INDONESIA

2012 Syiah Kuala University  Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Research Center (TDMRC) and Kobe University Research Center for Urban Safety and Security (RCUSS) held a two-day workshop on Sumatra Tsunami Disaster and Reconstruction on December  4th & 5th, 2012 at Hyogo Building Syiah Kuala University Campus Banda Aceh Indonesia. The objectives of the workshop were:

 -To report on field trips and reconnaissance studies undertaken by several international experts to the tsunami-affected areas,
-To discuss the current conditions related to the reconstruction in Aceh, and
-To identify mitigation approaches to incorporate in the reconstruction process in Aceh.
One important objective of the workshop is to discuss a framework for scientific and technical support to the reconstruction based on a collaborative undertaking between international organizations, national experts and local resources partnering with key agencies and organizations involved in the reconstruction.

The first agenda of the 2012 AIWST-DR is a continuation of the international workshop organized by Syiah Kuala University of Banda Aceh which has been started in 2006 and jointly organized by Kobe University after the 2004 December Sumatra Tsunami disaster that has stricken many countries around the Indian Ocean. This international workshop aims to integrate all the efforts of the 2004 Indian Ocean or Sumatra tsunami hit countries to promote better recovery and reconstruction, and to share the knowledge of not only scientific and engineering but also of socio-economic, medical, cultural, educational, and other aspects related to disaster risk reduction based on the Disaster. Through a continuous workshop over a decade, it is hope that a sound strategy for "Building Back Better" from a catastrophic disaster is to be implemented in those cities and countries hit by disaster.


The first day of the seminar will be devoted to multi-disciplinary reconnaissance reports from international experts, experts from Japan, Central/Local Goverment, Syiah Kuala University representatives and ex-JICA group trainees on "DRR Strategy for Urban Earthquake" that was organized by Kobe Univ. & JICA Hyogo from 2004 to 2011.

Program:
Welcome address from Organizing Committee,  TDMRC (Director Dr. M. Dirhamsyah),  Kobe University Prof. Yasuo Tanaka, Deputy Rector of Syiah Kuala University ( Prof.Dr.Darusman)
Keynote Speech: Lecture on Recovery Status of Banda Aceh over the past 8 years- Dr. Moh. Hanief Arie Setianto Deputi II UKP-PPP

Panel Session I: Recovery studies on the recent Great East Japan EQ & Tsunami
Prof. Yoshimitsu Shiozaki  (A Sudy on the 2011 GEJET recovery )
Prof. Yasuo Tanaka (A Study on the 2011 GEJET regarding Recovery & Reconstruction of Infrastructures)
Dr. Eiko Ishikawa  (A Study on the 2011 GEJET recovery)
Dr. Akira Miyasada (A Study on the 2011 GEJET recovery)

Panel Session II: Recovery studies on the Indian Ocean Tsunami
Dr. M. Dirhamsyah on TDMRC
Dr. Ir. Indra, M. P./Dr. Ir. Agussabti, M. Si./Dr. Nazamuddin, Se. E. (Socio-Economic Recovery of Aceh after 8 years eartquake and tsunami disaster)
Ninil R.M. Jannah (Education and Comunity Recovery in Indonesia)
Dr. Togu Pardede (post-tsunami village and community development)

Panel Session III: Recovery studies on other disasters Dr. Khairul Munadi
Dr. Kambod Amini Hosseini (A review on challenges and experiences in temporary housing and recovery in recent earthquakes of Iran)
Dr. Alpaslan  Kuzucuoglu (A review on Turkey’s recovery from the 1999 Turkey Earthquake & DRR)
Dr. Davis Fuentes (A review on Chile's recovery from the 2010 Chile Earthquake & DRR)
Dr. Teuku Faisal Fathani (Review on recovery of Merapi disaster and early warning system for landslide)

The workshop was open to all organizations, institutions and professionals who are involved or have a keen interest to contribute to the reconstruction of the Tsunami affected area, and in particular to Banda Aceh.
Japanese researchers presented about “Recovery studies on the recent Great East Japan EQ & Tsunami”. They explained general information about Great Hanshin Awaji EQ (Mw 6,9) and GEJET (Mw 9.0). They also emphasized temporary and permanent housing activities, planning issue (relocating households etc.) , economic development and education. The group tried to explore possibilities for making its knowledge and expertise available to agencies in charge of the disaster management and to transfer this knowledge to national and local experts.

Temporary housing and permanent housing in Japan after disaster.
Ex-JICA participants from Turkey, Iran and Chile presented Turkey Kocaeli (1999) and others (Düzce, Van) Earthquakes, Iran Bam (2003) and other Earthquakes (Manjil-Roudbar, Ardabil, Ghaen, Avaj, Silakhor), Chile Earthquake
Regarding to Indonesia Scale, Officials presented recent disaster which occured in Indonesia. (Aceh tsunami (2005), Alor Earthquake (2005), Yogyakarta Earthquake (2006), Hot mud eruption Sidoarjo-LAPINDO (2006), Jakarta flooding (February 2007)  and recovery plans.

The earthquake was caused by subduction and triggered a series of devastating tsunamis along the coasts of most landmasses bordering the Indian Ocean, killing over 230,000 people in fourteen countries, and inundating coastal communities with waves up to 30 meters (98 ft) high. It was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history. Indonesia was the hardest-hit country, followed by Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand. (Paris, R.; Lavigne F., Wassimer P. & Sartohadi J. (2007)

Massive destruction occured along 800 coastal line. Damage assesment was: 635.384 people displaced, 127.720 people killed and 93.285 missing, 139.195 houses destroyed,  22 sea ports, 119 bridges, 2.618 km roads, 669 government buildings, 3.415 school buildings, 517 health centers, 1.089 religious facilities destroyed, 20.000 ha fish ponds, 13.828 fishing boats destroyed, 73.869 ha agriculture land, 104.500 SMEs, 167.228 students lost their schools, 1.927 teachers died. Indonesian officials from Central/Local Goverment and Researchers emphasize recovery activities after disasters which struck Indonesia.

Roundtable Session:
Representatives of the various agencies and institutions regroup for a round table discussion aimed:
-10th year Commeration of Indian Ocean tsunami Disaster
-Continuation AIWEST DR and developing a framework for collaborative participation.

Field Trip to Tsunami Recovery  Sites:
The second day site visiting is organized. Participants visited tsunami affected areas and examined recovery activities.
Kapal di Atas Rumah-Lampulo: The erathquake and tsunami disaster of 26th of december 2004 destroyed whole infrastuctures in Banda Aceh,and  because of the tsunami wave, a wooden boat was in dock area in Krueng Aceh River in Lampulo. The wooden boat has 25 m length, 5.5 m. Width and 20 tons of weight. The earthquake and tsunami disaster has stranded the boat to the housing in Lampulo, which was approximately located 1 km away from the dock area. 56 people survived in the boat because of this incident.  Municipality designed around it as open air memorial park.

Baiturrahman Grand Mosque: The Mosque is Aceh’s inheritance from the Sultan Iskandar Muda era. It was built in 1612. The tsunami waves that struck Aceh submerged the mosque. While buildings nearby were heaviliy damaged, The Grand Mosque sustained only minor damages and was a refuge fort he thousands who fled to safety.

Museum Tsunami Aceh: The Museum in memorail of the tsunami, which took approximately 240.000 victims in Nanggroe Aceh Darusselam on 26 December 2004. Detailed planning fort he tsunami monument and site started in august 2006 and the museum was built on approximately 10.000 square meters of land located near center of Banda Aceh with a budget of US $ 14.000.000.

PLTD Apung: This electricity generator barge was docked at the Ulee Lheue port when the tsunami lifted it off the shore and it landed in a crowded housing settlement at Gampong Punge Blang Cut. The wave carried this 2.500 ton, 1600 m2 vessel four kilometers inland.
From the top of the vessel, visitors can spot  the BMW “edu park”, set up to provide interactive tsunami education to locals. The 4500 square meter park is equipped wwith tools that educate the people about tsunami and tell the sequence of a tsunami in a clear and understandable manner. This park clearly contributes to the effort of a community based early warning system.

Kuburan Massal: Mass Grave is visited by participants. Several areas were selected for mass graves. During the first few days in the aftermath the disaster there was an urgent need to bury the remains of the dead.  These mass grave sites dedicated to tsunami vistims.

Syiah Kuala University Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Research Center (TDMRC): TDMRC is a center for data, information, research work and consultation on all aspects of disaster to help increase disaster preparedness among the Acehnese people. This research facility aims to anticipate future tsunami along the Aceh coast and was established by the provincial goverment and run by Syiah Kuala University. In addition, the TDMRC facilities  act as an escape building in case of tsunami and related disasters. There are five other escape building areas, located in Pidie, Lhokseumawe, Bireuen, Aceh Jaya and West Aceh.

Tsunami Height Memorial Poles: Memorial Poles indicate tsunami waves location and height of tsunami waves. This Project carried out by Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Team (JETT). Measuring ground height and position by barometer and GPS device. And also some education programs are organized with this project.

Buddha Tsuchi New Housing Project: Chinese-Indonesian Friendship Village”. Whereas much housing has been reconstructed on the devastated plain, the idea of this village must have been to rebuild out of reach of any future tsunami. The hillside looked stony and infertile and must have been uninhabited before. The new village has been well implemented, complete with roads, electricity and water supply. Indonesia-China Friendship Village located on the hill of Desa Neuheun in Mesjid Raya sub-district, Aceh Besar, about 17 kilometers from Banda Aceh. The government of China built 606 Type 42 houses on 22.4 hectares of land. The residents of the village lost their homes in the tsunami on 26 December 2004, and come from various professional and ethnic backgrounds, including fishermen, becak (motorbike pedicab) drivers, traders, employees, and entrepreneurs

Mesjid Raya: Various housing being constructed in this area. It is located about 17 kilometers from Banda Aceh. Permanent housing projects and residentual problems are examined.


Mangrove Planting Project: By the tsunami in 2004 human lives, homes were lost, educational and economic structures were destroyed, and one hundred percent of the local fish ponds and mangrove forests were destroyed or heavily damaged. As a result, a large portion of the population lost their livelihoods and income. The mangrove ecosystem was in fair condition and covered a large area before the tsunami, but was completely destroyed after. All (100%) of the mangrove forests were lost, swept away by the tsunami. According to respondents from the community, small fish, shrimp, crabs, scallops, and oysters were easily obtained when there was a mangrove forest (before the tsunami), but are very difficult to obtain now. During rehabilitation and reconstruction, environmental repairs were conducted, including the planting of mangroves in coastal areas


2012 AIWEST –DR DECLARATION
Memorandum of Understanding

The -7th Annual International Workshop and Expo on Sumatra Tsunami Disaster and Recovery (AIWEST-DR) 2012 was successfully held at Syiah Kuala University in Banda Aceh, Indonesia on December 4th 2012. Following three technical sessions during the day, a round table meeting is held to discuss the future action of AIWEST-DR and necessary activities to promote DRR ( Disaster Risk Reduction).
We, the participants of the round table meeting, encourage the Tsunami and Disaster  Mitigation Research Center (TDMRC) of Syiah Kuala University to follow-up further activities to promote DRR based on the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami disaster.

Further we would like try to support the TDMRC to take the following follow-up action plans for DRR;

1. Endorsing TDMRC to organize the future AIWEST DR program to be held at least annually by 2014 depending on the available resources, with the aims:

To share experience, knowledge and lesson learnt about the disaster risk management from the Sumatran tsunami disaster among the other earthquake and tsunami-disaster-prone countries that will make difference for future mitigation strategy.
To share experience on disaster preparedness through educational system in the earthquake and tsunami-disaster-prone countries. To enhance public awareness on how to survive the tsunami disaster and to take into account the evacuation strategy, including for city transport as well as for children, elderly and disable people.
To share experiences on technological development on building either temporary shelter or permanent housing that meet the condition of the earthquake-prone and tsunami-prone area.
To promote the concept of monitoring and early warning system that are decentralized so local government can have direct control to the disaster preparedness. To expand the networking of  internet training as a tool for early warning system among the stakeholders involved in disaster preparedness actions, as well as to enhance public awareness on disaster mitigation strategy.
To maintain Science-based disaster risk management strategy and to inform the output of AIWEST DR to the responsible government representatives in order to make the disaster management strategy can be well-implemented.
To follow up the results of scientific discussion during the AIWEST DR 2012 into declaration to continue supporting the scientific-based and contextual to the socio-economic and cultural background that can be understandable to the society.

2. Endorsing TDMRC to organize the 10th year Indian Ocean tsunami commemoration as the momentum to look back on the success and failure story of the past 10 years of the iconic tsunami event of the 21st Century, through the following potential action plans:
To assign task force and to propose the precise activity plan for the 10th commemoration of tsunami December 2004 (within 3 (three) months)
To use the momentum to suggest the ‘National Day’ of Sumatra Tsunami disaster and to make the memorial day to be part of the educational curriculum for school children and society. To develop annual drill program.
To engage the national and provincial government in financing the commemoration as the follow up of the Yogyakarta declaration on the 5th AMCDRR.
To organize conference that invites all stakeholders involved during the tsunami disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction.
To initiate (mangrove) tree plantations as a means of coastal protection that will represent the number of the tsunami disaster victims as the way to pass the tsunami education to the next generation.

 3. To endorse future collaborative works among stakeholders involved in AIWEST DR. DRR proposals to attain external supports from potential donors, such as international organizators, NGO, national and local governments, and other institutions, can be produced through the network of AIWEST-DR participants.

TRI-DRR PLATFORM JOINS AIWEST-DR 2012

7th  AIWEST-DR 2012
Annual International Workshop & Expo on Sumatra Tsunami 
Theme: Sustaining Lessons Learnt from Post Great East Japan EQ and Indian Ocean Tsunami Disaster Recoveries
http://aiwest-dr.org/2012/

December 4-5, 2012
Dayan Dawood Academic Activity Center (ACC)  
Syiah Kuala University  Banda Aceh, Indonesia
Committee and Organizer
Steering Committee
• Prof. Yasuo Tanaka (Kobe University, Japan)
• Dr. M. Dirhamsyah (TDMRC-Syiah Kuala University Indonesia)
• Dr. Idwan Suhardi (Ministry of Research And Technology Indonesia)
• Prof. Friedemann Wenzel (CEDIM, Karlsruhe University-Germany)
• Prof. Louise Comfort (University of Pittsburgh, USA)
• Dr. Ridwan Djamaluddin (Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology, Indonesia)
• Prof. Samsul Rizal (Syiah Kuala University, Indonesia)
• Prof. Syamsul Rizal (Syiah Kuala University, Indonesia)
• Dr. Danny Hilman (LIPI, Indonesia)

Since its first commencement in 2006 following the giant Indian Ocean tsunami of 26 December 2004, AIWEST-DR is regularly hosted by TDMRC and partners with supports from various DRR stakeholders, reflecting the high level of interest and participation in this international scientific workshop. 
This workshop is increasingly important considering the recurrence of catastrophic disasters in the world, such as the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami 2011. 
7THAIWEST-DR 2012 is intended to provide an opportunity to discuss how academia, governments and other organizations involved in DRR activities can work together to build back better disaster resilient society and to promote DRR through reconstruction by linking the Indian Ocean region with  other disaster hit cities and countries.

In this workshop, we focus on the lessons learnt and best practices from the recovery process of 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, 2011 Great East Japan EQ & tsunami, and other disasters in the world that workshop participants present.

2011 International Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction Islamabad PAKISTAN

International workshop on 2005 Pakistan Earthquake and Flood Disaster in 2010 was held in Islamabad in collaboration with Rescue 1122, CHEF International and RCUSS, Kobe University, Japan from 1-6 May 2011. Delegates from USA, Japan, China, Philippines, Bangladesh, & Turkey joined the international workshop. After two days’ discussions and two days’ field visits to disaster stricken areas like Muzaffarabad and Charsaddah, outcomes in 5 areas including Accessibility for Disaster recovery & reconstruction sites, Mainstreaming DRR in Development Planning, School / Community Safety Program, Educational Material/ Curriculum, Advocacy & Capacity Building were agreed upon. Resultantly, a declaration was signed to carry out DRR activities. This helped out the kind of Preparedness that can be implemented for the future Disasters in Pakistan, whole of Asia and also in various Courtiers in MENA.

1. Background
Natural hazards, such as floods, droughts, earthquakes and tsunamis, are becoming more regular and intense, and are having an increasing impact on people and communities. Poor planning, poverty and a range of other underlying factors create conditions of vulnerability, hazards and risks that result in insufficient capacity or measures to reduce the potentially negative consequences of natural hazards and disasters. Thus, vulnerability contributes as much to the magnitude of the disaster impacts as do the natural hazards themselves. Action to reduce risk has grown in importance on the international agenda and is seen by many as essential to safeguard sustainable development efforts. International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction in1990, Yokohama Strategy and Plan of Action in 1994, International Strategy for Disaster Reduction in1999, World Conference on Disaster Reduction in 2005, Kobe, Japan, Global Platform in 2006, Second Session of the Global Platform for DRR in 2009, Mid-Term Review of the HFA in 2011 and third Session of Global Platform on DRR and WRC 08-13 May, 2011 in Geneva depict International commitment to reduce the Disaster Risks. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has started DRR Training Courses in coordination with RCUSS, Kobe University, Japan. Follow-up workshop regarding Urban Disaster Risk Reduction (UDRR) of JICA Ex- Participants was held in Kobe, Japan from November 1st to 3rd of 2010. Three regional groups namely Asia, MENA (Middle East & Africa) and Latin America were created to hold a workshop for UDRR in each region with the support of Research Center for Urban Safety and Security (RCUSS), Kobe university , Group Leader and coordinators were selected from each Region to execute DRR activities. In this Context, this International workshop on 2005 Pakistan Earthquake and Flood Disaster in 2010 was held in Islamabad from 01-06 May 2011. Delegates from USA, Japan, China, Philippines, Bangladesh, & Turkey joined the international workshop to learn the UDRR Lessons learnt from the above two major Disasters and their Recoveries. This helped out the kind of Community Preparedness that can be implemented for the future Disasters in Pakistan, whole of Asia and also in various Courtiers in MENA.
Pakistan covering a total land area of 796,095 sq km, shares its borders with Iran to the West, India to the Southeast, Afghanistan to the North-West, and China in the North. The Arabian Sea lies in its South with a long coastal way. The topography varies from coastal beaches, sandy deserts, plateaus, plains, high mountains to snow-covered peaks. Variable rainfall and extreme variations in temperature characterize the climate in Pakistan. Like other Asian countries, Pakistan continues to suffer from a plethora of natural and human induced hazards that threaten to affect the lives and livelihood of its citizens – natural disasters including floods, earthquakes, landslides, cyclones, and drought to human induced disasters such as fires, road traffic crashes, civil unrest and terrorism, refugees and internally displaced people, health epidemics, industrial accidents and war.
Though natural disasters cannot be avoided by any country but losses both human and economic, could have been minimized, if there was some mechanism devolved to be initially prepared. The Indonesian tsunami and the earthquake in Japan are live examples. But the response to these disasters is commendable especially in case of Japan. Not a single person died due to stamped despite the crowded places where people were stuck. The people seemed to have already been drilled to face such a calamity. It may not be feasible to financially compare Pakistan and other countries in Asia & MENA Region with that of Japan. But Pakistan does not lack in human capacity and can at least have trained personals and have a defined strategy and guidelines that could help us to reduce the risk and damages associated with any disaster. CHEF International (Comprehensive Health & Education Forum International), Rescue 1122 Pakistan and Kobe University Japan, arranged a workshop on disaster risk reduction in Islamabad, Pakistan from 2nd to 5th May 2011. WORKSHOP PLAN OBJECTIVES
• Enhance Disaster (EQ) Preparedness capacity of schools/community for future Disasters in Pakistan and Asia.
• Learn and study DRR lessons learnt from 2005 EQ and 2010 Floods and recovery situations.
• Strengthen human network among ex-JICA participants.
• Produce and execute tangible outputs for vulnerable communities.
• Strengthen international DRR collaboration for community preparedness.
Following were the major proceedings of this DRR workshop.
DAY 1, (May 2, 2011) Preliminary session The day started with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an followed by silence in the memory of those who lost their lives in the North East (Tohokou) Earthquake in Japan. In his address, Professor Dr Muhammad Daud khan (Chairman Board of Directors, CHEF International, Pakistan) welcomed all the distinguished guests and shared his views on disasters, and Disaster Risk Reduction. He elaborated the mandate of CHEF International and its performance in Disasters specially floods in 2010.

It was followed by a short speech from Yasuo Tanaka, Professor & Director, Research Center for Urban Safety and Security (RCUSS), Kobe University, Japan. He stressed upon the importance of disaster mitigation and DRR activities carried out by his institution and JICA. He also shared his views on recent earthquake in North East, Japan and the leakage of Fukoshima nuclear plant and the measures taken by the Japanese people.
Ms. Louise K Comfort, Professor, Graduate School of International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh, USA shared her views and experiences with the audience and expressed her sympathies for the Japanese stricken by recent earthquake. Brig.(R) Niazi from Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) and Mr. Ahmed Kamal from National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) expressed their views and shared experiences from the previous disasters in Pakistan. They also highlighted the performance of their institutions and challenges faced from time to time. Mr. Nishikata Takatoshi, country representative JICA, Pakistan being the Chief Guest shared his views and role of JICA on DRR and other fields. He assured all out support to the people of Pakistan in disasters.

Towards the end of first session, Dr. Rizwan Naseer, Director General, Rescue 1122, Pakistan, delivered vote of thanks to all delegates and expressed his commitments for emergency preparedness, response and prevention.
Scientific Session
In the scientific session, participants from national and international organizations briefed about their experiences, strategies, current DRR activities and challenges in their countries as per following schedule.
DAY 2,  MAY 3, 2011 Visit to Muzaffarabad (AJK) On the second day, the international participants were taken to Muzaffarabad, the capital of state of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, to visit the 2005 earthquake affected areas and recovery and reconstruction made after that. Delegates visited SERRA head office, where they were welcomed by the Secretary, SDMA and Director SERRA, who made presentation about devastation associated with 2005 earthquake. He highlighted the overall losses, recovery and reconstruction, lessons learnt and challenges faced. He also mentioned major achievements of SERRA and other allied departments.

After refreshment, delegates visited the Community Centre which was donated by Government of Turkey. In this Community Centre, women were imparted with the vocational training like stitching, embroidery and handicrafts skills. Afterwards, participants visited the CMH Hospital (also called Sheikh Khalifa Khalid Bin Anhayan), a generous support from UAE.
Towards the end, the delegates visited the newly constructed campus of University of Muzaffarabad where they were briefed about different educational wings and departments of the university.
On the way back to Islamabad, delegates visited the Emergency Rescue Station, Murree. They were welcomed by Mr. Farooq (Emergency officer). They enjoyed refreshment in pleasant weather conditions and Mountain Rescue Training facility here. Visitors also enjoyed some shopping at Mall Road.
In the evening in Islamabad, the delegates were served with dinner at the Farm House of Rtn. Pervez Ahasn, District Governor, District 3272.
DAY- 3, MAY 4, 2011 Visit to Charsaddah (KPK) Delegates of the international DRR workshop visited CHEF-International head quarters at Charsaddah, Khyber Pakhtun Khwah (KPK). They were warmly welcomed by Professor Muhammad Daud Khan, Chairman CHEF International and Dr. Muhammad Babar Qureshi, CEO / ED, CHEF International and other staff.
The visiting team attended a meeting. Chairman CHEF –International welcomed the visiting guests followed by a presentation from CEO CHEF International on the relief and rehabilitation work undertaken by CHEF-International in flood affected district Charsadda and Peshawar. Emergency Coordinator from CBM Ms Valerie Scherrer made presentation on Disaster and Disability. Center for Disaster preparedness and Management University of Peshawar made a presentation on its area of mandate. Shields were distributed among the visiting delegates. The delegates were also briefed about the premises of CHEF office.
After refreshment, delegates visited the school for Boys at village Agra district Charsadda, which was renovated, refurnished and made accessible for children with disabilities. Team also visited Basic Health Unit (BHU) at Village Jhagra district Peshawar, another flood affected area. The BHU was comprehensively renovated by CHEF and made accessible for the persons having disabilities. On the way back, to Islamabad, the delegates were taken to the City Government Office, Rawalpindi, where Early Warning System (EWS) was installed by the generous support of JICA to monitor the flow of Nala lai. This EWS was being operated and monitored by the Rescue 1122 Rawalpindi and Metrological Department, Islamabad. Dr. Ali ((Emergency officer) gave an overview of the functioning and role of EWS. After that, delegates were taken to the Emergency Rescue Central Station, Rawalpindi, where District Emergency Officer, briefed the participants and distributed the shields.

DAY-4, MAY 5, 2011 PRESENTATION OF EX – JICA PARTICIPANTS:
Dr. Zafar Shah, Ms. Shelby Acosta Ruiz, MS. Josephine R. SY, Mr. Abrar Ismaeel, Peng Yubin, Ms. Berna Burcak Basbug Erkan, Alpaslan Hamdi Kuzucuoglu, Sabiha Yeasmin, Waqas A Qureshi & Rabia Iftikhar.
Summary of Day -1 was presented by MR. Yasuo Tanaka, RCUSS, Kobe University, Japan. Similarly, Summary of Day-2&3 regarding field visits was presented by Ms. Louise K Comfort, Graduate School of International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh, USA in which she reviewed field visits and put forward DRR steps to be taken in future.

Group Work Participants were divided into three groups for DRR initiatives to be taken in future. Group A consisted of Mr. Sohail Ayaz Khan, Ms. Shelby Acosta, Ms. SabihaYeasmin, Mr. Alpaslan Hamdi Kuzucuoglu, Mr. Waqas A Qureshi, Mr. Kamal Ahmed and Ms. Deeba Shahnaz with the theme Accessibility for Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction Sites and Mainstreaming DRR programs / projects into development planning. Following were the recommendations.
• Pre Disaster
– Data Collection / consolidation
– Digitize to a GIS Data Base for quick accessibility/decision making
• Leading to a comprehensive contingency plan(s)
– Guidelines should be screened/ scrutinized and developed (protocols)
• WHO DOES WHAT
• Focal person/agency responsible for disaster management at various levels.
– Rapid Assessment to be standardized to avoid any misleading judgments / confusions
• DRR component should be mainstreamed into
– policy,
– institutional,
– Programs/organizational,
– community and
– Individual level.

GROUP B consisted of Mr. Yasuo Tanaka. Dr. Zafar Shah, Mr.Abrar Ismail, Ms. Rabbiya Iftikhar, Mr. Yubin Peng, Mr. Moazzam Ali toor, Dr. Shahzad Khan, Dr. Fatima and Mr. Haibat Khan with the theme of School / Community safety program and Educational Material / Curriculum development. Following were the recommendations. Selective risk assessment of schools in disaster prone areas Communicate the analyzed data to the concerned authority i.e. ERRA, NDMA and public at large Increase awareness amongst the community about schools Risk assessment of school areas Development of safety/ disaster material for schools Incorporation of that material in school syllabus.
GROUP C consisted of, Dr. Babar Qureshi, Ms. Louise K Comfort, Dr. Haroon Awan, Ms. Josphine Reyes, Mr. Berna Burcak, Ms. Mehnaz Khan, Mr. Shehzad Nazim with the theme of Advocacy and Capacity Building. Following were the recommendations. 1- National framework for mitigation that would include all stakeholders in terms of education, training, evaluation should be provided (media, chamber of commerce, boy scouts, girl scouts, civil defense, unions, etc…) 2- Peer review of work that has already been done is necessary. Regular monitoring of program performance is needed.

3- Establishment of National Observatories at provincial + state level is recommended. These should be linked with BHU-Basic Health Units, schools etc to provide access to community households and organizations. 4- Develop a National Curriculum to enable sustainable education. A National Curriculum helps to provide Capacity Building for different groups of people (adults, elderly, youth, disabled…) Use of information technologies + media + communication devices can be linked with this purpose (e.g: use of twitter, facebook, mobile phones)
5- Development of National / Local Cluster Framework based on UN Cluster Framework / UN OCHA / UNDRO. ISLAMABAD DECLARATION Keeping in view the recommendation of all the groups, following declaration was signed by CHEF International, Rescue 1122 and RCUSS, Kobe University, Japan.
ISLAMABAD DECLARATION ON DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN ASIA AND MENA REGIONS
We, delegates of the International Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction, have gathered from 2 to 5 May, 2011 at Islamabad, Pakistan. Over 60 participants from seven countries attended the workshop (List of Participants is attached herewith). We express our sincere condolences and sympathy to, and solidarity with, the people and communities adversely affected by disasters, particularly those devastated by the unprecedented earthquake, floods and tsunami in Asia, Middle East and North Africa, Latin America and other countries in the world. We commend the efforts made by the Governments, NGO’s and International communities for extending marvelous assistance to overcome such devastations.

In this International workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction held from 2-5 May, 2011 at Islamabad, the Disaster Risk Reduction work in Pakistan and rest of the regions was reviewed and discussed by learning from the lessons from 2005 Kashmir Earthquake and 2010 Pakistan Floods. We have learned much, including about gaps and challenges; nevertheless, we are deeply concerned that communities continue to experience excessive losses of precious human lives and valuable property as well as serious injuries, disabilities and major displacements due to various disasters worldwide. We are determined to reduce disaster related losses of lives and other social, economic and environmental assets. Thus, we summarize and agree in writing to further pursue the DRR visions and action plans expressed during the Workshop in the following categories:
 Accessibility for Disaster recovery & reconstruction sites
 Mainstreaming DRR in Development Planning
 School/Community Safety Program
 Educational Material/ Curriculum
 Advocacy & Capacity Building
We, therefore, agree to work towards implementation of the DRR vision in support of national policies and guidelines already outlined as above. It is further elaborated that more workshops shall be held in future through the collaboration of similarly working organizations with particular emphasis on the above mentioned parameters We strongly acknowledge the efforts and extend our heartfelt appreciation to the KOBE University, Japan, People of Japan, CHEF International and Rescue 1122 Pakistan for holding this International Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction at Islamabad, Pakistan.


Islamabad – 05/05/2011

(Dr. Muhammad Babar Quershi) CEO/ ED, CHEF International, Pakistan
(Dr. Rizwan Naseer) Director General, Rescue 1122, Pakistan
(Yasuo Tanaka) Professor and Director, RCUSS, Kobe University, Japan


Towards the end, certificates were distributed among all the participants of the workshop. Press Conference Press conference was held to brief the media about the outcomes and future initiatives and collaborations of the DRR workshop. The workshop ended with the commitment for all out cooperation and assistance on the outcomes to achieve the goal of “Disaster Resilient Societies”.
References
1. Government of Pakistan. Available at: www.pakistan.gov.pk
2. World Disasters Report 2003, Geneva, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
3. CHEF International. Available at: www.chef.org.pk
4. Rescue 1122,available at: www.rescue.gov.pk
5. Kobe University, Available at: http://www.kobe-u.ac.jp/en/about-kobe-university/history/history.htm