6. The International Recovery Platform (IRP): History and Current Activities
responsible for convening IRP Steering Committee meetings and disseminating information on
IRP activities and outcomes.
* IRP members: Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC), Hyogo Prefectural Government,International Labour Organization (ILO), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Cabinet
Office of Japan, Swiss Agency for Development and Coordination (SDC), United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),
United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), United Nations Secretariat of theInternational Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), the World Bank, World HealthOrganization (WHO), Asian Development Bank (ADB), United Nations Centre for
Regional Development (UNCRD), United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS),
Coordination Center for the Prevention of the natural Disasters in Central America(CEPREDENAC)

6-3. IRP Activities in FY 2015
6-3-1. “IRP’s International Recovery Forum 2016”“IRP’s International Recovery Forum 2016～”Sending the Message of Build Back Better”,
jointly organized with ADRC, was held in Kobe,
Hyogo, Japan on 26 January 2016, with over 180
participants,

includinggovernment

officials,

practitioners, experts, policymakers, and students
from 37 countries. Mr. Stefan Kohler of
UNOPS opened the Forum, and it was followed
by a welcome message delivered by Mr. Kaoru
Saito, on behalf of Mr. Toshinori Ogata, Deputy
Director-Generalfor

DisasterManagement

Fig. 6-3-1 “IRP’s International Recovery
Forum 2016”

Office of the Cabinet Office of Japan. Like the previous forums, Governor Mr. Toshizo Ido of
Hyogo Prefecture addressed the participants regarding the creative reconstruction and theimportance of implementing both soft and hard measures in DRR. In between the discussions, twodignitaries delivered special presentations, namely Mr. Tatsushi Nishioka of the Ministry ofForeign Affairs Japan who delivered a message on “World Tsunami Awareness Day” and Mr.
Neil McFalane of the UNISDR who made a presentation regarding the outcome of the Third UN
World Conference on DRR and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030
focusing on Priority Four’s Build Back Better in Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction. In
his presentation, he shared expectations to IRP which will play an important role in advising on
the progress and challenges in the implementation of the “Build Back Better” priority of the
Sendai Framework, along with the New IRP Strategy Framework. Mr. Kaoru Saito of the Cabinet
Office of Japan closed the Forum.

61

6-3-2. Outline of Learning Events on Build-Back-Better
ADRC / International Recovery Platform(IRP)

organizes

learning

eventsonbuild-back-better, including (i) Workshop on
Disaster Recovery Planning; (ii) Training ofTrainers on Build-Back-Better, and (iii)
Parliamentary meeting on Build-Back-Better.
The key reference materials for theselearning events are the Guidance Notes on
Recovery

which

were

developed

by

ADRC/IRP. These guidance notes offer

Fig.6-3-2 Guidance Notes on Recovery

menu of options and highlight lessons andgood practices from recovery processes around the world clustered into 11 themes: Shelter,
Livelihood, Environment, Gender, Infrastructure, Governance, Health, Psycho-social, Climate
Change, Telling Live Lessons, and Recovery Planning.
In FY2015, ADRC/IRP organized these learning events in Bangladesh upon request of thecountry, and upon recognition than Bangladesh is a disaster-prone country with low capacity.
The Workshop on Disaster Recovery Planning, 25-27 May 2015, gathered over 50 high level
and technical delegations from various ministries of the government, universities, development
partner organizations, NGOs, and private sector.

Fig. 6-3-2 Workshop on Disaster Recovery PlanningThe objectives of the workshop were: (i) discuss recovery agenda in Bangladesh in the context
of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction; (ii) brainstorm strategies and actions on
recovery that will be integrated in the existing development plans and related planning
instruments; (iii) review and update the Bangladesh Disaster Recovery Action Plan; (iv) explore
options the strengthening of existing policy frameworks, including amendments to the Disaster
Management Act of 2012, Standing Orders on Disaster, and the National Plan for Disaster Risk
Reduction; and (v) enhance linkage among government, partners, and universities inunderstanding disaster recovery.
The Training of Trainers on Build Back Better, 26-27 October 2015, gathered over 40

62

6. The International Recovery Platform (IRP): History and Current Activities
professors and lecturers from 16 universities in Bangladesh. The objectives of the two-day
training of trainers were: (i) integrate build back better and urban resilience agenda in theacademic curricula on disaster risk management; (ii) create a standby pool of volunteers,comprising lecturers and students, who are oriented in the concepts and operations of applying
build back better as well as promoting urban resilience; (iii) facilitate the creation of focal points
for collecting disaster-related data at participating universities; and (iv) enhance capacities ofparticipants to train other lecturers, students, and practitioners.

Fig. 6-3-2 Training of Trainers

The parliamentary meeting, 28 October 2015, was convened to inform members of parliament
about the relevant contribution of “build back better in recovery, rehabilitation, andreconstruction” in achieving resilience and sustainable development in Bangladesh. The meeting
was specifically aimed at increasing the parliamentarians’ understanding of “build back better” toaddress existing gaps in policy and legislation as well as to play a more active role in advocating
for pertinent policy changes and respective budget allocation.

Fig. 6-3-2 Parliamentary Meeting

6-3-3. Workshop on Disaster Recovery Planning

Date: 25-27 May 2015



Place: Dhaka, BangladeshOrganizers: ADRC/IRP, Government of Bangladesh, Build Back Better Foundation

63

Participants: 55 Government Officials and representatives from NGOs and private
sector

Fig.6-3-3 Participants of the Workshop

The event was inaugurated by Mr. Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya Bir Bikram MP,
Honorable Minister, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), Government of thePeople’s Republic of Bangladesh, who expressed commitment to pursue effective disastermanagement programs by incorporating ‘build back better’. At the closing, Mr. Hasanul Haq Inu
MP, Honorable Minister, Ministry of Information, assured the participants that build back better
efforts in recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction will be advocated in Bangladesh through thesupport of the ministry and media organizations. At the setting up of the three day workshop, apanel discussion was organized for the Overview of Recovery Issues in Bangladesh. Mr. Mesbah
ul Alam, Honorable Secretary, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Government of thePeople’s Republic of Bangladesh was the Chief Guest. The panelists were: Prof. Dr. Mahbuba
Nasreen, Director, Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies (IDMVS); Prof. Dr.
A.Q.M. Mahbub, Department of Geography and Environment (DGE), University of Dhaka; Major
A.K.M. Shakil Newas, Director (Operation & Maintenance), Fire Service and Civil Defence; andMr. Kabir Faizul, Director, Humanitarian and Resilience Programme, CARE Bangladesh. Mr.
Syata Brata Saha, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR),
chaired the session.
In addition to the group workshops (where participants deliberated on strategies and actions forrecovery), each day of the three-day event was highlighted with panel discussion to reflect on key
recovery issues in Bangladesh. The topics of discussion were focused on risk-financing,risk-insurance, urban safety, role of media, role of universities, and community-based recovery.
The members of the panel were from relevant government agencies, private sector, universities,
international development organizations, and NGOs. In particular, representatives from the
Ministry Finance, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, Ministry of Planning, University646. The International Recovery Platform (IRP): History and Current Activities
of Dhaka, Bangladesh University, CARE International, Islamic Relief, UNDP, OCHA, UNOPS,
Christians Aid, Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC), andBangladesh Disaster Preparedness Centre (BDPC) served as panelists and shared experience aswell as expert opinions. In one of the panel discussions, the IRP co-chair Mr. Stefan Kohler served
as panelist.
Outcomes: Recovery issues experienced in Bangladesh were identified by the participants andcame up with initial listing of strategies and actions along various sectors, including infrastructure,
housing, livelihoods, health and psychosocial, among others to be integrated in the proposed
Pre-Disaster Recovery Plan of Bangladesh. On top of this, the event was a rare occasion to bring
together a wide array of inter-ministerial delegates as well as disaster risk reduction practitioners
and experts who were further oriented on the ‘build back better’ options in the context of the
Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. The presence of key ministers and their respective
secretaries indicated positive sign of putting in place policies and programs to further mainstream
recovery agendas such as establishing a national recovery platform, recommending recovery
responsibilities for the Inter-Ministerial Disaster Management Coordinating Council to bearticulated in the SOD, and endorsing the Bangladesh Disaster Recovery Action Plan.
Next Steps: On the bases of the workshop outcomes, the following next steps were identified.
Firstly, a parliamentary meeting on ‘build back better’ will be organized at the Bangladesh
Parliament to discuss disaster risk reduction and recovery issues that require legal support andlegislation. Under the auspices of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of
MoDMR and along with the Build Back Better Foundation (BBBF) of the ISRSDRR, theInter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Islamic Relief, and the IRP, the parliamentary meeting is
proposed on 16 June 2015.
Secondly, the MoDMR through the support of UNDP Bangladesh will take forward the initialstrategies and actions for Pre-Disaster Recovery Plan by organizing a writeshop on the first weekof August 2015. The expected outcome of the writeshop is a draft Pre-Disaster Recovery Plan of
Bangladesh which will be coordinated by the MoDMR. Relevant ministries, agencies, andstakeholders are expected to participate in this event.
Thirdly, MoDMR with technical assistance from BBBF and UNDP will advocate integration ofrecovery agendas in existing policy and planning instruments in Bangladesh, including the Delta
Plan that is facilitated by the Ministry of Planning.
Fourthly, MoDMR with the support from UNDP and BBBF shall take further steps to advocate
in linking up key stakeholders in Bangladesh so that the Inter-Ministerial Disaster Coordinating
Council (IMDCC) is convened and recovery agenda is integrated in the plans. Among the specificrecommendations is the establishment of a National Recovery Platform and the creation of a65

dedicated recovery capacity and cell within MoDMR.
Finally, new programs and projects to promote build back better shall be proposed by BBBF incollaboration with MoDMR, UNDP, and other relevant stakeholders. The initial proposals include:(i) campaign for safe schools, (ii) building critical mass of local recovery experts and volunteers,(iii) partnership between local universities and international knowledge hubs to promote recovery
agenda in school curricula as well as facilitate knowledge-sharing and exchange, and (iv)
partnership with media in increasing level of awareness among policymakers, practitioners, andcommunities on recovery.

6-3-4. Training of Trainers on Build-Back-BetterDate: 25-27October 2015



Place: Dhaka, BangladeshOrganizers: ADRC/IRP, Government of Bangladesh, Build Back Better Foundation

Participants: 40 professors and lecturers from 16 universities in Bangladesh

Fig. 6-3-4 Training of Trainers Participants

The Training of Trainers reaffirmed that universities play an important in mainstreaming build
back better as well as contribute in advocating for urban resilience, by integrating these agendas
in the course curricula, research, and outreach. Additionally, university lecturers and students canbe organized into a standby pool of volunteers who are oriented and trained in both concepts andoperations of disaster risk reduction and recovery. This pool of volunteers can be quickly
activated in case of disasters.
In organizing a pool of volunteers, a programmatic direction may be initiated to apply theknowledge learned from the training. More specifically, in time of disaster, volunteers can link
closely with fire brigade department, disaster management office, and other related government
and non-government agencies to assist in emergency and response. To further apply theirknowledge, volunteers can also be tapped to provide support in damage, loss, and needs666. The International Recovery Platform (IRP): History and Current Activities
assessments after the disaster. This is a relevant contribution of the volunteers, particularly in theurban areas, because during normal times a systematic collection and management of disasterdata will be facilitated by the volunteers under supervision of specific departments of theuniversity. At each participating university, departments offering disaster management courses
will serve as area focal point for collecting disaster-related data which can be analyzed by
students and lecturers alike. The database, which will be hosted in these university departments,
shall be openly accessible to government agencies as well as other relevant stakeholders. In thismanner, sharing of information and experience to improve disaster management can befacilitated.
Outcomes: The outcomes of the training were:(i) cadre of lecturer-trainer oriented on build

back better and urban resilience to do cascading workshops in Bangladesh; (ii) a standby of poolof volunteers, which can be tapped in case of disasters especially in urban areas; (iii) a cascadingplan for mainstreaming build back better and urban resilience in the academic curricula in otheruniversities and academic departments; (iv) establishment of focal points in the participating
universities for collecting disaster-related data; and (v) a training manual on build back better andurban resilience.

6-3-5. Parliamentary Meeting on Build-Back-BetterDate: 28 October 2015



Place: Dhaka, BangladeshOrganizers: ADRC/IRP, Government of Bangladesh, Build Back Better Foundation

Participants: 40 Members of Parliament and other stakeholders

Fig.6-3-5 President of Interparliamentary UnionAt the meeting, the parliamentarians recognized that the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk
Reduction 2015-2030 provides a strong guidance on how to support national and local efforts todraft, amend, and adopt pertinent sectoral laws and regulations as well as allocate budget. The
meeting highlighted the importance of giving greater emphasis on “how to” integratebuild-back-better in policies/legislation, as pointed out by most speakers. At the inaugural, the67

speakers already identified some actions that might be taken.
 Mr. Stefan Kohler, Chair of International Recovery Platform, suggested that the National
Recovery Plan of Bangladesh, aside from developing it through inter-ministerial andinter-sectoral approach, has to be institutionalized to secure development continuity bybuilding back better in recovery.
 Saber Hossain Chowdhury MP, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and
UNISDR Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction, argued that parliamentarians need toadopt a new approach in formulating related policies to achieve sustainable development, i.e.
shifting from “managing disasters” to “managing risks”. This approach points the relevanceof pre-disaster recovery planning to reduce risk, including investing appropriate amount of
resources to build back better.
 Mr. Dhirendra Debnath Shambhu MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committeeof the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), outlined the need forparliamentarians to apply modern information technology to support disaster risk reduction
policies/legislation as well as implementation. One specific action he advocated is to lay thelegal foundation as well as the legal enabling environment for the Bangladesh “Delta Plan”,aligning it with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
 Md. Shah Kamal, Secretary Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, cited the role ofparliamentarians to facilitate an enabling legal environment to allocate budget for disasterrecovery, including allocation for volunteer groups that can assist in recovery efforts. A
modest budget allocation is needed to cover build back better approach in all sectors.
Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities: At the technical session, the speakers provided essential
information on some of the key issues on disaster risk management and build back better
processes in Bangladesh, which theparliamentarians may be able to help address throughpolicies and legislation. At the onset, it was recognized that the concept of build back better inrecovery is not yet clearly articulated in the Standing Orders on Disaster (SOD) and National
Plan for Disaster Management. Likewise, the Disaster Management Act of 2012 does not
stipulate predictable funding for recovery. On top of these, there are underlying issues in
Bangladesh that need to be tackled including level of understanding on disaster vulnerabilities,
limited resources base, high population density, cultural risk taking behavior, lack of relevant
capacities, and transboundary issues. All these factors need to be considered in order to have aholistic perspective of risk management and build back better.
To effectively implement build back better, the technical aspects and leadership aspects ofgoverning recovery, have to be addressed including mechanisms for coordinating all recovery
actors, engaging the private sector, and adopting multi-sectoral approach in planning andimplementation. There are opportunities to adopt appropriate mechanisms in the ongoing686. The International Recovery Platform (IRP): History and Current Activities
recovery programs in Bangladesh, such as the Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP), Early
Recovery Facilities (ERF), and Emergency Cyclone Recovery and Restoration Project (ECRRP)
as well as those humanitarian programs, including Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF), Gratuitous
Relief (GR), and Housing Grants for the ultra-poor people.
The current Disaster Management Act of 2012 offers several entry points to integrate disasterrecovery. Among these are the disaster fund for districts and Upazila; volunteerism, training andresearch institute disaster risk management; respective committees at all levels, penal provision,
publicity, and awards.
Recommendations: Considering the knowledge and information imparted at meeting, thefollowing recommendations were made to guide the efforts of parliamentarians: Develop strong governance for risk-informed and risk resilient sustainable development
 Develop coherent policies, targets, indicators, and monitoring system

at all levels,

especially at national level, among development, disaster risk reduction and climate change
to prevent new disaster and climate risk from being created andthus protect futuresocio-economic development
 Promote sharing of information and know how, innovation, and research Promote international partnership and cooperation at all levels to address challenges indisaster risk reduction, climate change and sustainable development
 Engage private sector and business for risk-resilient private investment
 Encourage stakeholders to complement governments in implementing the Sendai
Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, particularly Priority FourTo achieve resilience and sustainable development, there is a need to review the current status
of development policies and legislation to determine if they are sufficient to guide Bangladesh inachieving risk resilient development – protect lives, livelihoods, development sustainability, andgrowth. It is critical to make national and local risk assessment available to assist thedevelopment of national risk-informed plans and regulations for risk sensitive development
practice.
As part of the way forward, the parliamentarians along with other relevant stakeholders must
engage in reviewing and revising laws and legislations, especially those related to building code,
food, health, infrastructure, environment, and livelihoods. These efforts must be complemented
with awareness raising, capacity building, and monitoring of programs and activities. Among
specific recommendations mentioned by the discussants and some members of parliament at thetechnical session were: (i) tapping the role of engineers in designing build back better

69infrastructure; (ii) activating the disaster management committees at Upazila, Union, and Wardlevel as stated in the Disaster Management Act; (iii) advocating risk management and build backbetter approaches in other standing committees to enrich resilience at various sectors, including
economic sector and private sector; (iv) increasing the level of awareness and practice on disasterrisk management and build back better; (v) promoting legislation on build back better thatenhances the capacities of communities; (vi) ensuring gender concerns, e.g. women participation,
in workshops and learning events on disaster management and build back better; (vii) adopting
pre-disaster recovery plans to mitigate risks; (viii) engaging local people, Upazila level, in build
back better processes by promoting volunteerism; (ix) engaging women parliamentarians in the
programs implemented by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief; and (x) Continuing
dialogue on assessment and improvement of policies/legislation as well as programs and projects
on disaster management and build back better.

70