Thursday, April 20th, 2006
Post Disaster Reconstruction Learning of the Indian Ocean Tsunami
Kyoto University GSGES Inaugurates New Program
A new learning program based on the lessons of the Indian Ocean Tsunami of December 2004 has begun at the TDLC, organized by the Kyoto University Graduate School of Global Environment Studies (GSGES) International Environment and Disaster Management Laboratory.
In an inaugural videoconference held on April 20, 2006 titled "Post Disaster Reconstruction Learning of Indian Ocean Tsunami: Towards its Application to Pre Disaster Preparedness in Vulnerable Developing Countries", 4 sites - Kuala Lumpur, Colombo, New Delhi and Tokyo - connected to discuss the two-year program.
"The Indian Ocean Tsunami was a multi-country disaster which also gave us an opportunity for cross-country learning" explained Dr.Rajib Shaw, Associate Professor at GSGES. "This program seeks to learn not only about this disaster but how to apply it to the future as well". In particular, Dr. Shaw pointed out that the environmental impact of the tsunami had become a prominent issue. The importance of 'Dynamic Process Documentation' was highlighted to facilitate co-learning among affected countries and experience sharing from other reconstruction programs, the mission of this program.
The videoconference was held in association with the Asian Disaster Reduction and Response Network (ADRRN), Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS), Mercy Malaysia and Sarvodaya, supported by the Malaysia-based Force of Nature Aid Foundation (FON).
Over a year after the tsunami, the main phase of relief and rehabilitation is over, and the focus has shifted to long-term reconstruction and rehabilitation. Mercy Malaysia in Aceh, SEEDS in Andaman and the Nicobar Islands of India, and Sarvodaya in Sri Lanka are among the NGOs that are committed to work with the local community for sustainable, community based recovery.
The first videoconference brought representatives of these three organizations together to discuss project details in each country, develop consensus on an overall work plan and discuss the details of a workshop scheduled to be held in Bangkok on June 12, 2006.
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