2st Group Summary of Thematic Discussion on Post-disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction

1. 2st Group Summary of Thematic Discussion on Post-disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction 29 May 2009

2. Participants: 56 experts and officials from 24 Countries and Organizations;

3. Presentations “Build Back Better” by Mr. Masataka ONISHI, Senior Administrative Manager, Asian Disaster Reduction Centre (ADRC) “Agriculture Rehabilitation through Vouchers for Inputs by Mr. Thomas HOERZ, International Emergency and Rehabilitation Coordinator, food and Agriculture Origination of United Nations (FAO) “Disaster management: Relief and rehabilitation – Pakistani experience” by Mr. Jamil AHMAD, Member, National Disaster Management Authority, Pakistan

4. Key points from presentations: ADRC representative briefed ADRC’s major activates related to disaster relief, including community based hazard mapping, International Recovery Platform (IRP）, and disaster knowledge management FAO participant briefed a project, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture of China, to assist formers, in Wenchuan earthquake affected areas in Sichuan Province of China, for early recovery and rehabilitation of livelihoods in agriculture, horticulture, livestock and forestry Pakistani speaker presented the national framework for disaster risk management, which was established based on the experience and lessons learnt from the response to the earthquake of 2005

5. Major concerns (1): - Institutional set up for preparation of large scale disasters Permanent organization for coordination and organization of disaster relief actions - Psychology recovery of people in disaster affected areas - Effective disaster relief resources management Capacity for preventing infectious diseases Effective sharing and timely dissemination of disaster information Capacity for search and rescue, and debris removal

6. Major concerns (2): - Continued information analysis and decision making for timely adjustment of disaster relief strategies Uplift communities from cycle of dependency into self-reliance regeneration of social and cultural cohesion Normalization of disaster relief actions Paradigm shift’ from reactionary response oriented approach to a pro-active mitigation & prevention approach Legal and institutional arrangements for disaster management at federal, provincial and district levels. - Increase the fund investment in housing, medical service, infrastructure and environment

7. Suggestions and recommendations (1) : - Establish and enhance national coordination mechanism Establish management and distribution mechanism for disaster relief goods and resources Provide better social environment and psychology advisory service Provide technology training to reduce affections got by infectious disease Technical assistance to local disaster response plans

8. Suggestions and recommendations (2) : Promote community based hazards mapping to raise public awareness Create inter-agency and multi-organizational liaison and coordination mechanisms to ensure one roof–one window operation Harmonize policies and rules related to disaster relief- Formulate guidelines for normalized plans and actions for disaster preparedness and response at all levels Provide technical assistance to local governments for preparing relevant disaster management plans

9. THANK YOU & XIE XIE