Bangladeshi study tour participants at DILG

A Study Tour participated in by nine senior government officials from different line agencies in Bangladesh, and one representative of the European Commission in Bangladesh was held in the Philippines from April 11-15, 2009.  The study tour was conducted through the partnership of the Center for Disaster Preparedness (CDP) Philippines, and the Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP), and aimed to impart learnings and lessons about  the disaster risk management systems that were set-up in different levels for disaster response, so that possible replication of effective approaches and strategies in Bangladesh context could be explored.

This  initiative was brought forth through the Earthquake and Tsunami/Storm Surge Preparedness component of the Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP) which aims to facilitate the preparation of earthquake risk assessments, contingency plans and education programme within Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet cities in Bangladesh. The component also plans to undertake an extensive risk and vulnerability assessment of coastal areas to increase awareness and improve response management systems for coastal dwellers against the impact of storm surge and tsunami. One of its objectives is to inculcate a better understanding among decision makers, disaster professionals and elected representatives about mitigatory measures against earthquake and other urban disaster. CDMP has designed this study tour for disaster managers to make them more aware about earthquake and other urban disaster preparedness activities that have been undertaken by different agencies in the Philippines and Thailand. The study tour is facilitated by the Center for Disaster Preparedness (CDP), and the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC), in Philippines and Thailand, respectively.

The study tour in the Philippines was headed by Honorable Secretary Md. Mokhlesur Rahman of the Ministry of Food and Disaster Management (MoFDM).  On the first day of the study tour, the group went to Dagupan, Pangasinan where Bangladeshi officials had a chance to witness the early warning system conducted in the area and also met the city mayor. The following days of the study tour was held in Manila, where the participants were able to visit the Office of Civil Defense / National Disaster Coordinating Council (OCD-NDCC), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOLCS),  Department of Education (DepEd) and cities of  Makati and Marikina.

The participants and representatives of government agencies in the Philippines had a very fruitful discussion and sharing on good practices and approaches in Disaster Risk Management.  The participants also expressed enthusiasm to share the learning and experiences they gained for possible  replication in their country. Moreover, the Senior Government Officials of Bangladesh also commented on the fact that women seemed to be truly empowered in the Philippines, an observation resulting from their meetings and encounters with women leaders during the entire study  tour.

Click here to view Photos of the Study Tour or the CDP Photo Gallery.

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