Disaster Management Team to Advise APEC Leaders

Proposing recovery plans after a disaster has already occurred is insufficient, say experts.

Inspired by the occurrence of the May 12 earthquake in China's Sichuan province, disaster management authorities from across the APEC region have collaborated to produce a set of recommendations for APEC Leaders when they meet in November.

After examining various stages of recovery in Chinese Taipei and visiting the site of the recent disaster in PR China, comparative case studies have been drawn from the management of other natural disasters, including the Pisco earthquake in Peru last year; the flooding caused by Katrina in New Orleans in 2005; and the Asian Tsunami of 2004.

Analysis has revealed the need for more multi-faceted approaches to adequately address the long-term challenges in social and economic rehabilitation after large scale disasters. In fact, many economies have already begun to decentralise emergency responses, sharing responsibilities with private and non-governmental agencies, as well as among those communities affected.

"When we talk about recovery, we aren't just talking about reconstructing buildings and communities," says Dr. Liang-Chun Chen, Director, National Science and Technology Centre for Disaster Reduction, Chinese Taipei. "We are also talking about reducing risk and developing resilience. It is a more holistic approach and ultimately it is more effective."

According to Mr. Du Xiaoyan, Deputy Director General, Civil Affairs Department, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China, "The infrastructural damage caused by natural disasters is only one element. Economic, social and ecological stability can take much longer to recover. Identifying and understanding potential risks - at local-level - is critical in designing plans for disaster reduction and emergency preparedness."

Communities, say experts, should be involved both pre- and post-disaster. Pre-disaster recovery plans should include the appointment of community leaders and establishment of public education programmes, so that communities are able to remain cohesive and resilient throughout the process. Relationships with the private and non-governmental sector must also be developed prior to the occurrence of disaster. Often subject to less restrictive regulation than government bodies, private entities are able both to act swiftly and to engage more directly with affected communities.

The workshop, held in conjunction by the governments of China and Chinese Taipei (September 22 - 28) contributes to the objectives of the APEC Task Force for Emergency Preparedness; and to the "Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Preparedness and Response in the Asia Pacific region: 2009 to 2015", endorsed in Lima, Peru this year.

Factors such as culture, the level of development and the varying nature of disasters according to their locus will be used to make recommendations to Leaders in November.