An Asian Conference on Disaster Reduction, which concluded on September 29 in Beijing, confirmed the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre's (ADPC) accession to the rank of inter-governmental organisation, a status approved in February by the Thai government in February this year.

Organising the conference, which attracted 350 participants from 42 countries, was one of ADPC's first major tasks in its new role, which Executive Director Suvit Yodmani describes as "facilitative."

"We provide a platform for governments, experts and the donor community to come together and map out needs," he said, speaking between conference sessions. "We need the support of governments in disaster mitigation," stressed Yodmani who joined ADPC in 1999 and has overseen its rise to inter-governmental status.

Originally an off-shoot of the Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok, ADPC became independent in 1999, with China as one of nine founding members. An influential and well-connected board has assured a growing membership--to 30--but ADPC continues to depend for its survival on project agreements rather than on members' contributions.

In China ADPC enjoys strong links with the China Meteorological Administration and Ministry of Civil Affairs. The flow of Chinese officials from central and provincial government departments to attend ADPC trainings in Thailand has swelled to more than 200, and last year the Centre was accredited by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs.

"But we still recognise the need to engage with NGOs and other government departments," stressed Yodmani, underlining the importance of reaching isolated, rural communities where disasters have struck hardest this summer. He is keen to identify partners in China where ADPC can deploy its technical expertise in community-based disaster preparedness.

"The disaster in Shalan could have been averted with greater community alertness," according to Jiang Ling Ling, Project Manager for China and North-East Asia, referring to a tragedy in June that killed 105 children. If common-sense had prevailed the children could have found safety on higher ground, says Jiang.

Yodmani suggests that disaster preparedness systems break down at community-level due to top-down planning systems. "Communities must be involved from the beginning in the planning and implementation process in order for the system to be appropriate," he adds, but is confident that a community model can be established in China. "The Chinese have two virtues, discipline and diligence, that can combine to make the best model," he says.

The Asian Conference on Disaster Reduction aimed to advance the 'Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015' and promote regional cooperation and action. A senior Chinese official used the occasion to pledge that that disaster risk management will be incorporated into a new national development plan.

Report by Matt Perrement, September 28 2005