Bangkok--16 Feb--Asian Institute of Technology
Asia is the most disaster-prone area of the world. Impacting the region greatly through the loss of lives, infrastructure and livelihoods, disasters are compounded by the region’s high rate of urbanization.
Dr. Sanjaya Bhatia, Head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) Office for Northeast Asia recently stressed the Asia-wide need for professional capacity to cope with disasters, in all their forms.
Meeting with officials of the Asian Institute of Technology on 5 February 2015, Dr. Bhatia explained the work of UNISDR’s Global Education Training Institute for Disaster Risk Reduction (GETI) and invited AIT to be its partner.
“Demand for technical expertise and training is far outstripping capacity,” said Dr. Bhatia, as he requested AIT to work with UNISDR/GETI by sharing its roster of experts, and to consider a modality for delivery of GETI training tools and leaning modules.
According to Dr. Bhatia, GETI conducts training programs on disaster reduction and mitigation for local-level governments across many countries in Asia.
With the demand for expertise spiking upward, GETI is interested to franchise its 10-module training portfolio through partnerships with universities and institutes to conduct training of trainers – and to establish a viable roster of professional experts in the field of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation for resilient societies, he said.
Prof. Pennung Warnitchai, Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Management (DPMM) Coordinator for the AIT School of Engineering and Technology (SET), expressed keen interest in developing a partnership, as did Dr. Jonathan Shaw, Executive Director of AIT Extension.
To start, both AIT officials were invited to participate at a GETI training planned for May this year in South Korea. Modalities for working with GETI, could follow. AIT was also suggested as a natural hub for engagement with UNISDR, given its expertise, regional outreach focus and internationality.
“We want to develop a regional and global network to franchise our modules,” Dr. Bhatia said. GETI’s three-day training programs target seasoned professionals in municipalities, and the tools are based on the needs and demands of mayors, he explained. The learning modules include areas such as governance, risk assessment, infrastructure, health, finance, ecosystems, livelihoods, schools and hospitals, and early warning systems.
Mr. Armen Rostomyan, Program Officer, UNISDR/GETI, Asst. Prof. Indrajit Pal, AIT/DPMM, Mr. Karma Rana, AIT Institute Secretary and Ms. Vineeta Thapa, DPMM Program Officer, also attended the meeting organized by Mr. Sanjeev Jayasinghe, AIT Director of Fundraising and Interim Director of Alumni Affairs.
After completing the workshops, attendees are fluent with the tools and their practical application, and take away a first-step template for developing viable disaster plans for their city, Mr. Rostomyan said, emphasizing that GETI only asks to be recognized as owner of the modules by the partner who delivers the training.
The Incheon, Republic of Korea-based organization works with regional organizations, countries and national platforms, parliamentarians, UN organizations, international financial organizations, civil society, academic and research institutes, and the private sector.
Photo caption: Mr. Armen Rostomyan (left and Dr. Sanjaya Bhatia.