FY2001 Annual Report

Foreword

he Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) will soon mark the fifth anniversary of its establishment in July 1998 and the time has come to publish its 5th Annual Report.

Over this brief period of time, ADRC has enthusiastically pursued activities with the support of member countries, advisory countries, the Japanese government, Hyogo prefecture and many others. These activities include providing disaster reduction information over the internet, staging four annual ADRC International Meetings, welcoming eleven researchers from the member countries for the research program, imparting disaster management education and training, and promoting cooperative disaster reduction projects with member countries.

ADRC has also been working closely with the United Nations and particularly with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Kobe with whom we are promoting a number of joint projects. One such project was to open a local office in Kobe of their Relief Web information operations unit in August 2001, which strengthened both their and our ability to provide disaster reduction information to the world. In these times where NGOs are playing an increasingly more important role in disaster response, this was our first effort in correlation with OCHA to provide support in building the foundations for international cooperation between NGOs.

As another major step, ADRC was appointed to the Inter-Agency Task Force of the UN International Strategy for Disatser Reduction (ISDR), giving us yet an even greater role in reducing the damage from natural disasters in the Asian region as it strives to attain sustainable development.

Natural disasters are increasing year by year for various reasons including urbanization, growing populations, destruction of the natural environment and climate change. ADRC will continue to develop constructive activities to help make Asia safe and stable in the 21st century.
We hope to count on your continued support and guidance at ADRC.

March 2002
Shigeru Itoh
Chairman
Asian Disaster Reduction Center

1. Asian Disaster Reduction Center

Asian Disaster Reduction Center

1-1. Background for the Establishment of the ADRC

1-2. Organization

1-3. Policy and Past Activities

2. Building a Network for Sharing Information on Natural Disasters and Disaster Reduction

Building a Network for Sharing Information on Natural Disasters and Disaster Reduction

2-1. Formation of a Human Network

2-2. Regional Workshop on Networking and Collaboration among NGOs of Asian Counties in Disaster reduction and Response

2-3. GIS International Meeting --- International Symposium on Internet based Disaster Information (ISIDI)

2-4. ADRC's Network for Information on Natural Disasters and Disaster Reduction

3. Accumulation and Provision of Information on Natural Disasters and Disaster Reduction

Accumulation and Provision of Information on Natural Disasters and Disaster Reduction

3-1. Policy and Methods

3-2. Information on Disaster Reduction Systems

3-3. Construction of Natural Disaster Database Linked to GDIN

3-4. Exhibition of Disaster Reduction Technologies

3-5. Internet GIS

4. Promotion of Disaster Reduction Cooperation

Promotion of Disaster Reduction Cooperation

4-1. Cooperation with the United Nations

4-2. Cooperative Projects with Member Countries

5. Disaster Reduction Education and Training

Disaster Reduction Education and Training

5-1. Disaster Reduction Education and Training Programs by ADRC

5-2. Short-term Training Programs by the ADRC

5-3. Other Dissemination and Education Activities

6. Public Relations by ADRC

Public Relations by ADRC

6-1. PR to the Mass Media

6-2. Participation in International Conferences

6-3. Participations to Various Disaster Reduction Fairs

6-4. Lectures/Symposiums

6-5. Articles