GADRIACTIONS
Autumn 2016
Volume 2—Number 2

July 2017
Volume 4— Number 1

Note from the Editor and Cover page

This edition covers institutional capacity building initiatives in line withGADRI to promote capacity development of disaster research institutes
and enhance researcher and student exchanges.

1.

Training Course at
NCDR, Chinese
Taipei2.

GADRI
Representation
atthe UNISDR Meetingin Cancun, Mexico

3.

GADRI
Representationatthe Natural Hazards
Center Workshop

GADRI network continues to expand. A few new members have joined
GADRI family.

4.

GADRI nomination
as member of STAGUNISDRIf you would like to share information or an article in GADRI ACTIONS,
please do not hesitate to contact us.

5.

New Members

Hirokazu Tatano and Wilma James

6.

Publications
andUpcoming Events

The National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction(NCDR), Chinese Taipei invited students from GADRI members toattend their annual workshop with a few full fellowships which covers
tuition fees, international travel, meals and accommodation, and otherlocal expenses. This year, four full fellowships were provided to
students from developing countries.

In addition, highlights of GADRI representations at various workshops
and conferences are features with a few pictures.

Cover page photos were taken by the DPRI participants who attended the 2017 International Training Workshop
on Natural Disaster Reduction on Regional and Local Best Practices of Post-Disaster Recovery: Building
Sustainability and Resilience through Scientific Approaches at the National Science and Technology Center for
Disaster Reduction (NCDR), Chinese Taipei.
Top right: National Taitung University Library, listing as one of 1001 Libraries to see before you die
Center: Traditional ornaments in newly built houses as part of preservation of Cultural heritage Jialan District
Bottom left: Observing results of crowd funding and the use of social media in post-disaster volunteer programin Dawang District
Bottom right: Classroom session on disaster management coordination by Prof. Wei-Sen Li, Secretary-General,
National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction (NCDR)

International Training Workshop on Natural Disaster
Reduction: Regional and Local Best Practices of
Post-Disaster Recovery at National Science andTechnology Center (NCDR)

Opening Ceremony—Speakers and participants of the 2017 International Training Workshop

The 2017 International Training Workshop on Natural The classroom sessions were started with three
Disaster Reduction on Regional and Local Best keynotes featuring recent efforts in disaster recovery
Practices of Post-Disaster Recovery: Building by distinguished speakers from Taiwan National
Sustainability and Resilience through Scientific University, DPRI-Kyoto University and International
Approaches was organized by a member of the Global Consortium on Landslides (ICL). The lectures covered
Alliance of Disaster Research Institutes (GADRI), the a wide range of disaster components from planning to
National Science and Technology Center for Disaster multidisciplinary disaster risk reduction measures with
Reduction (NCDR) of Chinese Taipei. The training special focus on Build Back Better (BBB) concept.
was held from July 17th to 21st, 2017 aiming at Planning and implementing process of Typhoon
promoting cross-boundary exchanges of science and Morakot recovery in Taiwan, advancement in landslide
technology related to post-disaster recovery. disaster research in Japan, BBB approach of Kobe
Participants from 13 countries shared their and Tohoku recovery in Japan, Gorkha earthquake
experiences in best practices and local innovative recovery in Nepal, community approach of ecosystemapproaches in post-disaster recovery. The training recovery after typhoon Haiyan in Philippines, 2004
program consisted of 2-day classroom lectures in Tsunami recovery in Indonesia, ADPC’s approach of
Taipei and 3-day field visits to recovery sites in recovery need assessment, example of household
Taitung and to Tzu Chi Foundation HQ in Hualien in gardening as a recovery initiatives in India andTaiwan. The NCDR sponsored four international Cambodia. Valuing of social capitals in recovery werestudents from Kyoto University to participate in the the highlights of these lecture series.
training workshop.

InternaƟonal Training Workshop on Natural Disaster
ReducƟon at NCDR, Taipei City, Taiwan

Keynote Lectures: Prof. Norio Maki (leŌ) and Dr. Jenn-Chuan Chern (right)

Experience sharing and knowledge building
through classroom lectures
The classroom sessions were started with three
keynotes featuring recent efforts in disaster recovery
by distinguished speakers from Taiwan National
University, DPRI-Kyoto University and International
Consortium on Landslides (ICL). The lectures covereda wide range of disaster components from planning tomultidisciplinary disaster risk reduction measures withspecial focus on Build Back Better (BBB) concept.
Planning and implementing process of Typhoon
Morakot recovery in Taiwan, advancement in landslidedisaster research in Japan, BBB approach of Kobe
and Tohoku based approach to implement the restoraƟon
project. recovery in Japan, Gorkha earthquake
recovery in Nepal, community approach of ecosystem
recovery after typhoon Haiyan in Philippines, 2004
Tsunami recovery in Indonesia, ADPC’s approach ofrecovery need assessment, example of household
gardening as a recovery initiatives in India andCambodia. Valuing of social capitals in recovery were
the highlights of these lecture series.

In addition to the guest lecturers, participants alsopresented their innovations in the recovery practices intheir countries. In Nepal, lack of skilled labor andenforcement of housing design guideline were issues
in BBB and to overcome these issues, the government
established a new hierarchical structure of skilled
personnel for construction and supervision of rural
housing reconstruction initiatives. In the Philippines,
after the typhoon Haiyan, as an effort to restore thefish population as the main source of income for thefishermen in the affected areas, NGOs came up withan innovative idea of restoring coral ecosystems byplanting corals in damaged coral reef areas andintroducing community based approach to implement
the restoration project.
Participants from Kyoto University

The lectures were designed mainly to sensitize theparticipants to the importance of social capitals,
community participation, innovations in disaster risk
reduction and resilience building in recovery practices.
NGOs, enterprises and government officials fromdifferent countries presented case studies to sharerecovery practices in different countries. As such,
lecturers from Taiwan Red Cross Society, Tzu Chi
Foundation, World Vision and Delta Electronic
Foundation shared how they incorporated indigenous

culture in the recovery of tribal community. The
indigenous culture, arts and lifestyle were integrated in
the design and architecture of new relocated houses,
bridges and overall community development.
Ultimately, in these relocation sites, practices of
traditional culture, community bonding and cohesion
were found significantly improved.

InternaƟonal Training Workshop on Natural Disaster
ReducƟon at NCDR, Taipei City, Taiwan
Preservation of Cultural Heritageat the recovery site.

Understanding the importance of sustainable permanent
livelihood and preservation of cultural
housing
heritage through site visits in post-disasterarerecovery sites

mainlytheDuring July 19th to 20th, participants visited recovery
victims ofsites, which consist of establishment of four permanent
Typhoongroup-housing sites and volunteer based recovery site
Marakot.
in Taitung County. The objective of this visit was to
Jialan isshare Taiwanese experience in rebuilding recovery
the onlysites by visiting housing reconstruction projects.
reconThrough the visit, participants could witness that thestruction site , whichliving quality of the disaster-affected community was
was not relocated. Six months after the Typhoon
improved due to the synergic efforts among the
Marakot, the tribe leader decided to gather all the eight
government, NGOs, and community. The economic,
tribes’ residents to stay together. The reconstruction
environmental, and sustainability are the main
was developed by two NGOs i.e. the World Visionconsiderations in rebuilding the houses; hence the site
Taiwan and the Taiwan Red Cross.
visits highlighted the importance of incorporating theelements of culture and living habits of the residents.
The NGOs reconstructed the house in two types of
The community was involved from designing stage
houses developed based on the community’s request.
through community meetings in order to capture their
The rebuilt houses in Jialan area obviously show both
expectations. Furthermore, compensations were also
safety features in the construction as well as cultural
given for home-owners who wish to adapt theidentity of the community.
aboriginal heritage features in their home restoration.
There are four permanent group housing areas whichwere visited i.e. Jialan, Fushan, Dazhu and Binmao.
Most of the affected communities located in the group
Group photo at the Fusan Recovery site

InternaƟonal Training Workshop on Natural Disaster
ReducƟon at NCDR, Taipei City, Taiwan
In Fusan recovery site, the community was relocatedfrom a hillside area where the main livelihood wastraditional farmers. The relocation site at the seaside
area caused the community to shift their livelihoodfrom traditional farmers to fishermen. In order toensure the sustainability of their livelihood, therelocation included training program with another tribe
to equip the relocated families with skills required as
fishermen.

The sense of togetherness and hope in the new
livelihood can help them to continue their life in the
new relocation sites. As such, this experience enabled
participants to understand the importance of thesustainable livelihood and cultural identity for their
future reference as disaster managers.

All recovery sites brought the similar messages thatthe sustainability of livelihood and cultural identity of
the communities is among the most important aspects
to be considered in post-disaster rebuilding sites.
Through their experience, the Taiwanese show thatthese aspects will allow the community to continue
growing and therefore will further enhance thecountry’s development.

On July 20th, participants visited the Dawang District of
Taimali Township, which was hit by Typhoon Nepartak
in 2016. The strong wind blew off the roof of the housesin the village and some of the houses were severely
damaged. The recovery process from the governmentis still in process until now, and some of the houses arestill not repaired. Most of the residents in the village are
elderly who depend on handicrafts making as theirmain livelihood cannot repair their own house. Having
witnessed this condition, Ivy Liu started to make a
volunteer program through Taiwan Super Woman
Foundation to help with the recovery process.
“Everyday, strong young men from her family would
help fixing roofs of them in need—especially theelders,” said Ivy. Roof was their priority because it
serves as protection from sun and rain in a house. In
the weekends, more people from other cities would
volunteer in the reconstruction.
The foundation uses social media platform to gather
volunteer from all over Taiwan to help rebuilding thedamaged houses. More to this, the foundation also
gathers financial resources through crowd funding inthe same platform. Updates on improvements in therecovery sites were published regularly through thisplatform.

The site visits created understanding that for theplanners, the safety in relocation and reconstruction is
one of the most important elements in post-disasterrecovery, in order to lower the disaster risk in the
future. Hence, at the same time, the good living qualityof the newly established community depends oncommunities’ cultural identity and psychologicalcharacters. These aspects allow them to continue
growing and move on from their grieving phase. Thus,
it is important to narrow the gap between planners andaffected communities by working together. The
affected communities should realize the importance tomove away from high risk disaster area and start newlife even though the feelings toward old place isstrong. Cultural identity and community practices are
pieces of life that they can bring from the old place.

Crowd funding and the use of social media in
post-disaster volunteer program

On-going reconstruction

Ivy Liu, the founder of Taiwan
Super Women Foundation

InternaƟonal Training Workshop on Natural Disaster
ReducƟon at NCDR, Taipei City, Taiwan
The love and caring towards hometown and rice production method explained the long process ofneighborhood is Ivy Liu’s main aspiration to continue innovation in developing the perfect instant rice. Afterrebuilding the damaged houses. Yet, the visit shows years of experimenting, the Tzu Chi Foundation built anthat the use of social media platform is very effective to instant rice factory to distribute to disaster-affected
gather young volunteers in rebuilding recovery sites communities and to sell in supermarkets across theand it has been proven effective to collect funding world. Besides their innovative works, Tzu Chi
Foundation also had years of experience sending
nationwide in Taiwan.
donations and volunteers to disaster areas across the
Tzu Chi Foundation visit: Wisdoms for world. This experience has made them one of the mostwell-grounded humanitarian organization in the world.
innovations in disaster relief
On the last day of the workshop, participants visited the After the lectures and field-trips, the 5-day training
Tzu Chi University and Tzu Chi Foundation HQ in finally come to an end. The closing ceremony of the
Hualien City. Tzu Chi Foundation is a worldwide workshop was held in Taipei after a dinner banquet.
Buddhist NGO based in Hualien, Taiwan. Through the Prof. Li Wei-Sen gave a short closing remarks.
visits the staff and volunteers from Tzu Chi Foundation Participants receive their certificates of completing theshared their innovations and experience related to workshop.
disaster relief and recovery. This includes the mobile
kitchen, water purifier, temporary house, solar panels, Acknowledgement
and instant rice. Master Cheng Yen—founder of thefoundation—gave some wisdom to her fellow nuns, Supported participants from Kyoto University wish tomonks, staffs, and volunteers who then develop ideas express their gratitude to Prof. Li Wei-Sen from theand work together in realizing her wisdom into tangible National Science and Technology Center for Disasterproducts. The participants had the opportunity to have Reduction (NCDR) and Prof. Hirokazu Tatano froma tour in Tzu Chi University to visit the gallery and hear Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto
stories of about Tzu Chi Foundation’s involvements in University for the opportunity to participate at thetraining workshop.
disaster reliefs during the past events.
The participants also had the opportunities to enjoy The report was compiled by Chong Khai Lin (Malaysia);
their healthy instant rice and cocoa drink produced in Devina Khoirunnisa (Indonesia); Eva Mia Siska
the Tzu Chi HQ. The nun who developed the instant (Indonesia); and Md. Shibly Sadik (Bangladesh).

Mobile Kitchen to serve 8,000 people/hour

Innovators of instant rice project

The Scientific and Technical Advisory Group (STAG) of UNISDR
Disaster risk reduction and its impact on sustainable
development require sound foundations in social and economic
knowledge and understanding.
This includes developing relevant scientific and technical capacities especially in developing countries. The
UNISDR Scientific and Technical Advisory Group (STAG) has provided technical advice, published casestudies on using science for disaster risk reduction and contributed to policy formulation in collaboration
with the scientific and technical community.
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, adopted at the Third UN World
Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Sendai Japan in March 2015, recognises the importance of
science and technology, calling to "Enhance the scientific and technical work on disaster risk reduction andits mobilization through the coordination of existing networks and scientific research institutions at all levels
and all regions with the support of the UNISDR Scientific and Technical Advisory Group..." (paragraph
25g).
To meet this request by the Sendai Framework and to serve the needs of countries and stakeholders more
directly, UNISDR work on Science and Technology will be enhanced by reaching out to relevant partners
including research institutions, organizations, networks and platforms, who are interested to join efforts andprovide evidence-based support to the implementations the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk
Reduction. The UNISDR Science and Technology Advisory Group (STAG) will also be strengthened interms of its scope and resources and its membership to reflect the wide range of members involved in thePartnership.
Recognizing the importance of research, scientific and technical information for disaster risk reduction,
UNISDR established a Scientific and Technical Advisory Group (STAG). The purpose of the STAG is toprovide technical advice and support in the formulation and implementation of activities carried out by thedisaster risk reduction community. The work of the STAG encompasses all aspects of the scientific andtechnical dimensions of risk reduction, with particular emphasis on the needs of developing countries.
(Ref: https://www.unisdr.org/partners/academia-research)

GADRI INVITED TO BE A MEMBER OF Science and Technology
Advisory Group (STAG) of UNISDR
Prof. Hirokazu Tatano, Secretary-General, Global Alliance of Disaster Research Institutes(GADRI); and Head, Social Systems for Disaster Risk Governance, Disaster Prevention ResearchInstitute (DPRI), Kyoto University was invited to join the new Science and Technology Advisory
Group (STAG) for the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) for its first term of two
years (2017-2018) renewable for more term (2019-2020). UNISDR reconfigured STAG ensuresinterdisciplinary, and a regionally diverse new membership to reflect the composition of the
Science and Technology Partnerships. The members of the STAG is expected to meet face-toface at least once a year to review the activities and outputs. There will also be regular tele andvideo conferences to exchange information and organize its work.

Global Platform, Cancun, Mexico
Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction
The Global Platform for Disaster Risk
Reduction (Global Platform), as
recognized by the UN General
Assembly, is the main forum at the
global level for strategic advice,coordination, partnership development
and the review of progress in theimplementationofinternational
instruments on disaster risk reduction.
It was established in 2006 and is now
the world's foremost gathering ofstakeholders committed to reducing
disaster risk and building the resilienceof communities and nations.
The Global Platform holds biennial
sessions. To date, there have been four, in 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013, all of them held in
Geneva. The 2015 edition did not take place, given that that year saw the Third UN World
Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, which included a significant and highly appreciated multistakeholder dimension.

GADRI Representation at the UNISDR Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction
Cancun, Mexico from 22 to 26 May 2017
GADRI was represented at the recently held UNISDR Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in
Cancun, Mexico from 22 to 26 May 2017. Prof. Hirokazu Tatano, Secretary-General, GADRI, and Professor,
DPRI, Kyoto University, Prof. Andrew Collins, Chair of Board of Directors of GADRI, and Leader, Disasterand Development Network, Northumbria University, UK, Prof. Yuichi Ono, International Research Institute ofDisaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University and a few other members attended conference. GADRI
shared a booth at the marketplace under the theme of “Academia, Science and Technology in DRR”
managed by IRIDeS, Tohoku University. The purpose of the booth was to showcase research outcomes
and case studies developed through partnerships of multiple stakeholders such as academia, the private
sector, communities, UN Agencies as well as governments.
During IGNITE Stage special venue where selectedparticipants are allowed 15 minutes to present a disaster risk
reduction topic, project or initiative, Assoc. Prof. Yoshihiro Ito,
Research Center for Earthquake Prediction, Disaster
Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto University,
introduced the SATREPS project “Public partnership between
Japan and Mexico on disaster mitigation of large earthquake
and tsunami hazards” - a collaborative project between
Japan and Mexico to mitigate earthquake/tsunami disaster
impacts. The presentation was held on Thursday, 25 May
2017.
(http://www.unisdr.org/conferences/2017/globalplatform/en/
programme/ignite-stage/view/725)

Yuichi Ono, Hirokazu Tatano, and Andrew
Collins – at the Tohoku University Booth at the
Global Platform, Cancun, Mexico

For further details, please visit the link below:
http://www.unisdr.org/conferences/2017/globalplatform/en/programme/ignite-stage/view/725

Natural Hazards Center Workshop, University of Colorado-Boulder
About the 42nd Annual Natural Hazards Research and Applications
Workshop, Colorado-Boulder, 19 to 21 July 2017
Knowledge to Action: Reducing Hazards Losses and Promoting Disaster Resilience
About the Workshop: Since 1975, the Natural Hazards Center has hosted the Annual Natural Hazards
Research and Applications Workshop for 400 federal, state, and local emergency officials;
representatives of nonprofit and humanitarian organizations; hazards researchers; disaster consultants;
and others dedicated to alleviating the impacts of disasters.
Our Theme: With each passing year, the hazards and disaster community accumulates more and more
knowledge on the causes and consequences of extreme events. Simultaneously, the number of people
negatively affected—due to population growth, climate change, unsustainable development, poor land
use planning, rising inequality, and numerous other challenges—continues to climb. The result is adisproportionate loss of life among the world’s poorest people and lopsided economic losses in thewealthiest nations.
That's why this year's theme is Knowledge to Action: Reducing Hazards Losses and Promoting
Disaster Resilience. The 2017 Natural Hazards Workshop will address this paradox with sessions that
promote an exchange of ideas about how we can move knowledge into action, including in households, inbusinesses, in the classroom, in communities, and everywhere policy is made and implemented.

The planned sessions highlighted strategies andprograms with a strong foundation in theory andresearch—that is, evidence-based approaches. Other
sessions focused on how these initiatives are created,
funded, implemented, evaluated, and maintained indifferent contexts.
(Ref: https://hazards.colorado.edu/workshop/2017)
Attendees at the Natural Hazards Center Workshop raise

Natural Hazards Center Wildfire and Flood Tour
9 July 2017.©Sonya Doctorian, 2017
Lori Peekl, Director, NHC recognizes NHC staﬀ ©Zoe Welz, 2017

Natural Hazards Center Workshop, University of Colorado-Boulder
GADRI Representation at the 42nd Annual Natural Hazards Research andApplications Workshop
GADRI activities were presented during the session on Recent Research and Projects by Prof. Hirokazu
Tatano, Secretary-General, GADRI; and Head, Social Systems for Disaster Risk Governance, Disaster
Prevention Research Institutes (DPRI), Kyoto University. GADRI memberships continue to grow worldwide
while GADRI continues to work towards goals set out in the Sendai Framework. Presentation by Prof.
Tatano covered activities and initiatives undertaken by GADRI since the formation in March 2015.
Among these were:●Formation of GADRI Board of Directors in January 2015●
Conference on “Open Discussion Forum” in March 2015●
GADRI Charter●
GADRI website●
GADRI Actions – newsletter●
Regular board meetings of GADRI Board of Directors●
1st International Symposium on Flash Floods in Wadi System – Disaster Risk Reduction and water
Harvesting of Flash Floods in the Arab Region” in October 2015●
GADRI Roundtable Discussion Workshop on “Towards an Integrated Disaster Risk Research
Platform for Hydro-Meteorological Hazards”, October 2015●
Workshop on “Bridging Strong-motion and Earthquake Damage” in February 2016●
Workshop on “New Generation of Geohazard Mapping and Strategy for Its Social Application” inMarch 2016●
2nd International Symposium on Flash Flood Systems in Egypt in October 2016●
GADRI Representations at various international conferences•
UNISDR Science and Technology Conference in January 2016•
IDRC, Davos Conference in 2016•
UN-CECAR Conference in Busan, Korea July 2016•
IDRiM Society Conference in Tehran, Italy 2016•
UNISDR Global Forum in Cancun, Mexico May 2017●
GADRI organized the 3rd Global Summit of Research Institutes for Disaster Risk Reduction at theDisaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto University, Uji Campus, Kyoto, Japan in March2017.
GADIR is a useful networking portal for researchers and research institutes to share and learn throughcutting-edge research knowledge, lessons learned from past disasters, and contribute research gaps in theareas that most need disaster risk reduction.
During the Workshop, the members in Americas
proposed to form a North American Alliance ofDisaster Research Institutes (NAADRI). This will bein line with the other networks, the UK Alliance ofDisaster Research Institutes (UKADRI), and theAfrican Alliance of Disaster Research Institutes(AADRI).

Paul Kovacs, Grace Kang, Gonzalo Bacigalupe, Hirokazu
Tatano, and Keith Porter—GADRI Session on 12 July 2017

Introducing new members
A warm welcome to all of our new members to GADRI family. We look forward to working together toachieve goals and objectives set out by GADRI and contribute to research in disaster risk reduction.

The Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National
University
There are few places in the world where economists, hydrologists, historians, ecologists, foresters, geographersand climatologists all work together seeking solutions to some of contemporary society’s most significant
challenges.
The Australian National University’s Fenner School of Environment and Society is one such place and provides aforum for the rigorous exploration of diverse ideas, perspectives, and methods of identifying and solving problems
at the interface of the natural and social sciences, including the humanities, as they apply to the environment andsustainability.
Fenner offers expert perspectives on complex environmental and sustainable development challenges, drawing
on decades of quality empirical and applied research. Research focuses on understanding environmental
changes across a range of scales in time and place, enabling the school to provide past, present and futurenarratives to guide science, policy and management. Of particular importance to us is our capacity to encouragesound policy and governance outcomes that support sustainability.
In the areas of natural disasters relevant to Australia and Australia’s region of interest, our research has focused onfloods, droughts, water scarcity, urban planning and wildfires and has focused on informing policy and practice. (seee.g. John Handmer, Stephen Dovers, Handbook of Disaster Policies and Institutions, Improving Emergency
Management and Climate Change Adaptation, CSIRO Publishing 2013, Geoffrey Cary, David Lindenmayer,
Stephen Dovers, Australia Burning, Fire Ecology, Policy and Management Issues, CSIRO Publishing, 2003.

Centre for Disaster Studies, James Cook University, Australia
The Centre for Disaster Studies is a multi-disciplinary research unit within the College of
Science and Engineering at James Cook University. The Centre has acted as the university's
face to the public and the professionals in the Emergency Management and Meteorology fields, city councils andother researchers since its establishment in 1979. Members have extensive research expertise, field work
experience and professional teaching capacity in community based disaster management (all hazards).
Academic research members have a strong foundation in the following research areas (both domestic andinternational):- Integrated disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation- Land use planning for disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change- Building resilience in the built, natural and social environment- Tourism crisis and disaster management- Vulnerability and capacity assessment (community mapping for DRR and recovery)- Social network analysis for disaster governance, risk reduction and resilience- Post disaster assessment for response and recovery- Sustainable development/redevelopment and livelihoods
Affiliate members of the Centre also conduct relevant research in the fields of engineering, public health, nursing,journalism/media, psychology, education, anthropology, human geography and the broader social sciences. The
Centre has extensive experience in the translation of research and science into effective policy recommendations
and action.
Webpage: https://www.jcu.edu.au/centre-for-disaster-studies

Introducing new members
University of National and World Economy, Bulgaria
The University of National and World Economy can be seen in the future as a leader among thehigher educational institutions in Southeastern Europe that educate students and conduct
researches in the field of economics, management and administration, law and politics.
University of National and World Economy is responsible to sustain and develop highly educated academic
body of prominent, nationally and internationally acknowledged professors and scientists.
University of National and World Economy is called to strengthen and develop its positions as a kind ofundisputed, respected and valuable territory of the national and European educational and research space.
The effects of natural disasters are very serious and the destruction caused may take a very long time torecover. Related damage is severe and it may cause relief expenses of billions of Euros. With the increase ofnatural disasters that have occurred in the past years, it is expected their frequency will continue to increase in
the coming years.
At present, at global and national levels, a wide range of multiple scientific and scientific-applied research
activity in the area of disaster risk reduction concerning individual types of disasters is conducted. Modern
information and communication technologies can facilitate significantly the decision-making processes fromthe point of view of disaster risk reduction.geographical and global settings, not-for-profit organization
backgrounds, agriculture, marine life, welfare, risk management, safety engineering and social networking
services will be included.
Webpage: http://www.unwe.bg/en

Disaster Risk Reduction Programme, Department of Geography & Resource
Development, University of Ghana
The programme started as part of the Periperi U which is a partnership of African universities
that spans across the continent and is committed to building local disaster risk related capacity.
Established in 2006, with five original members, the partnership has grown to include elevenuniversities from Algiers to Antanarivo, with institutions in Algeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar,
Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda.
The goal of Periperi U is to reduce disaster risks in among African countries through improved national andlocal disaster risk management, due to enhanced strategic human capacity to integrate risk reduction into
critical developmental sectors and programmes. The partners of Periperi U believe this can accomplishedthrough building and embedding sustainable ‘multi-tasking’ capabilities in disaster risk and vulnerability
reduction capacity building in ten selected institutions of higher learning in Africa consistent with global disaster
reduction priorities reflected in the Hyogo Framework of Action.
Since 2006 to 2015, an average of three MPhil students are produced by the programme. Like most newly
established programmes/centres, the major challenge has been finance needed to procure the necessary
logistics and facilitate research in general.
Webpage:http://www.riskreductionafrica.org/partners-and-programmes-1/university-ofghana-accra-ghana.html

Introducing new members
Advanced Disaster Prevention Engineering Center, Nagoya Institute ofTechnology, Japan
The Advanced Disaster Prevention Engineering Center (ADPEC) was established in
November, 2011. Prediction, mitigation and control of huge natural disasters such as
earthquake, tsunami and typhoon will be the final goal of ADPEC. By clarifying the process and the mechanismof the natural disasters and developing various kinds of technologies utilized for the huge disasters, we aim toestablish the world leading research center for disaster prevention and mitigation. We also contribute actively
to the mitigation of natural disasters as a member of University Consortium for Disaster Mitigation Research in
Tokai Area. Meanwhile we will make every effort to help preventing and mitigating the huge disasters based on
the viewpoint of useful and easily-acceptable technologies. We always keep in mind that the technology wedeveloped should be able to make a real contribution to the construction of a harmonic society that can standstrongly in face of the natural disaster.
The activities of ADPEC are as follows.
●

To oppose a menace of the large-scale natural disaster such as earthquake, tsunami and typhoon, we
perform the practical study for the making of city resisting the disaster that can keep people, assets,
economic activities by utilizing ability for technology development of ADPEC overall.

●

We cope by a social request about disaster prevention and mitigation quickly and support activity tocontrol a disaster from the both sides of hardware and software.

●

We build Tokai area base of a study, the service of city disaster prevention and mitigation. Furthermore, I
build the international collaboration network about the East Asia disaster prevention.

Webpage: http://adpec.web.nitech.ac.jp/

Centre for Coastal and Ocean Engineering (COEI), Universiti Teknologi
Malaysia
COEI was formally known as the Coastal and Offshore Engineering Institute. The rebranding of
COEI was formalized by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in 2015 under a university wide
restructuring of research centers and faculties. COEI was first established in 1990 as a pioneer R&D research centre
in Malaysia that specialize in coastal and offshore engineering. It is one of the five research centres (RC) that forms
the Research Institute for Sustainable Environment (RISE) in UTM. As a member of RISE, COEI works very closelywith other member RCs whose niche areas are all related to sustainable environment and sustainable processes.
COEI has developed a few innovative products related to coastal erosion protection and engineered reef systemsuch as the Sine Slab, Hydrocheese, Stepfloat and Artgrass. Many of these products has been in employedthroughout the country either as prototype application or field test systems. COEI has wide experience in hydraulicstudies and hydrodynamic simulation of coastal processes with over 60 consultancy works on record and over 20
research projects. Clients include port authorities and port operators, the Marine Department, PETRONAS Carigali,
Drainage and Irrigation Dept, private developers and other engineering consultants needing specialized services incoastal engineering.
Our present interest now are on climate change effects, primarily sea level rise, extreme coastal storms, coastal
floods and tsunamis. We were responsible for completing the first tsunami modelling study for Malaysia, after thecatastrophic 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami event and pioneer application of the coastal vulnerability index (CVI) in
Malaysia as a means to classify and assess coastlines risks to sea level rise that would help future planning andstrategy.
Webpage: http://kl.utm.my/coei/Introducing new members
Disaster Management Institutes, School of Technology Management andLogistics, Universiti Utara Malaysia
Disaster Management Institute (DMI) was established in August 2016 as one of the School
Centre of Excellence (SCoE) institutes to spearhead the disaster management researchcapability of the school and to collaborate with related agencies and universities that havecommon interest in disaster management research areas. Disaster Management Institute focuses its researchmainly on three important phases in the disaster management cycles; the pre disaster phase (preparedness,
mitigation and early warning), during disaster phase (response such as evacuation, control room and others)
and post disaster phase (recovery, rehabilitation, reconstruction and development, risk on damaging properties
and others). The institute concentrates on high impact disaster management research by aligning to theuniversity’s niche areas through collaborating with related private companies, government agencies, local andinternational universities. Since the expertise of DMI is providing education by creating awareness anddisaster resilience, another niche area for the institute is to educate communities, which include public
including business communities, school, nonprofit organization and other interested parties.
Webpage: https://sites.google.com/site/dmistml/

Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East
Asia (PEMSEA), the Philippines

The project, known then as the Prevention and Management of Marine Pollution in the East Asian Seas, wasimplemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and executed by the International
Maritime Organization (IMO), while the Government of the Philippines hosted the regional project office within
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) compound in Quezon City, Metro Manila.
The successful completion of the pilot phase project in September 1999 led to the building of confidence andrecognition of the need to develop stakeholder partnerships in addressing the increasing environmental
challenges in the seas of East Asia. A second phase project (1999–2007) focusing on building
intergovernmental, interagency and multisectoral partnerships in environmental management was supported
by GEF, with implementation beginning in October 1999. The thrust of the new project was to build
partnerships, hence the acronym PEMSEA, to represent the new project initiatives.
Recognizing the importance and urgency in addressing the environmental challenges and in moving towardsustainable development of the Seas of East Asia, the 2006 Haikou Partnership Agreement establishedPEMSEA as the region's coordinating mechanism for the implementation the Sustainable Development
Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA).
Webpage: http://www.pemsea.org/

Introducing new members
Faculty of Security Engineering, University of Zilina, Slovakia
The Faculty of Security Engineering, University of Žilina, (FSE UNIZA) prepares security
engineering experts with knowledge in methods of crisis management that are able to identify,
analyze and assess risks in various types of environment, and to manage preventive activities and adequate
response. It educates crisis managers, rescue service workers and experts in managing the processes ofprotection of persons and property. The Faculty is more than sixty years old and has established a stable
position in the professional security community in Slovakia and abroad. It has developed cooperation witheducational and research institutions, public administration institutions and business companies in therespective fields. The activities of the Faculty have been positively evaluated, even in the external
environment. It has been continuously holding the 2nd place in the respective subject field in the academic
ranking of Slovak universities, based on comparison of indicators of education and research activities.
The Faculty of security engineering operates a number of laboratories to support research and teachingactivities. Recently, our existing laboratory facilities were extended by opening two new state-of-art
laboratories at the university science park.
FSE UNIZA has also Deparment of security and safety research which role is to identify of relevant funding
schemes and calls, potential project partnerships, gathering and presentation of basic information about thepossibilities of involving the faculty departments in research project activities.
Webpage: http://fbi.uniza.sk/en/

Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB), Sri Lanka
The Natural Resources Management and Laboratory Services (NRM&LS), is an AGM unitof the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) functioned under the Ministry of
Mahaweli Development & Environment, Sri Lanka. Finding the utmost importance of preserving theenvironment while catering the construction sector, CECB has taken the initiative of establishing the NRM&LS,
to fulfill the construction and industry related environmental issues in accordance to the government
regulations. Stating with the Moragahakanda Hydro Power Project in year 2000, today NRM&LS is engaged
with a wide variety of Environmental Impact Assessments, Disaster Risk Assessments, Environmental
Management Plan and Social Safeguard Studies both locally and internationally. Some of the major projects
include Conflict Affected Region Emergency (CARE) Project conducted in Nothern Province in Sri Lanka,
range of Irrigation Projects, Water Supply Projects, Mini Hydro power projects, Port City Development Project,
Waste to energy development project which has a national significance and internationally for many Hydro
Power projects and Social and Environmental Assessment such as the Nyamwamba Small Hydro Power
Project ,Uganda which our commitment and dedication is highly involved.
The CECB laboratory services of NRM&LS comprises an advanced laboratory spectrum providing a range ofsample testing including the Chemical and Environmental Laboratory, Advanced Concrete Testing Laboratory,
Advanced Soil Testing Laboratory, Geotechnical Investigations and foundation excavation. Theses laboratories
are well-equipped with the advanced instruments and latest technology network in which highly trained
professionals involved in carrying out diversified testing methods and research projects to furnish the bestsolutions for around 2000 clientele.
Webpage: http://cecb.lk/

Introducing new members
Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Management, Asian Institute ofTechnology (AIT), Thailand
The Asian Institute of Technology promotes technological change and sustainable
development in the Asian-Pacific region through higher education, research and outreach.
Established in Bangkok in 1959, AIT has become a leading regional postgraduate institution
and is actively working with public and private sector partners throughout the region and with some of the top
universities in the world. AIT's Mission is: To develop highly qualified and committed professionals whoplay leading roles in the region's sustainable development and its integration into the global economy.
Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Management (DPMM) at Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) uses
interdisciplinary capacities (engineering, medicine, natural and social science, as well as management) to
manage and minimize the effects of disasters in people on the front lines of disaster response andpreparedness. It provides professional education and short term training for the capacity building of the AsiaPacific as well as neighboring regions. AIT’s contribution towards disaster research is multi-faceted, startingfrom Disaster Education, Capacity development, Training, engineering and social solution for disaster risk
reduction. Exploring the possible funding sources for student from various govt. department will beadvantageous to create a sizable human resource, which can influence the development planning and help tobuild resilient community.
Webpage: http://dpmm.ait.ac.th/wp/

Evidence Aid, United Kingdom
Those affected by, or at risk of, disasters and conflict have a right to receive
humanitarian aid or disaster risk reduction support in the most timely, effective
and appropriate way possible. To achieve this we need to know what works and what doesn't, and to ensure
our actions and decisions are based on evidence. Evidence Aid aims to inspire and enable those guiding thehumanitarian and DRR sectors to apply an evidence-based approach in their activities and decisions. We will
stimulate and satisfy an increasing demand for evidence related to health outcomes, to improve the impact ofhumanitarian and DRR aid and contribute to a humanitarian and DRR sector where the evidence based
approach will be used when and where appropriate. Evidence Aid has successfully engaged in sevensystematic reviews for the World Health Organization (details on request), a priority setting exercise (http://
currents.plos.org/disasters/article/dis-13-0023-prioritization-of-themes-and-research-questions-for-healthoutcomes-in-natural-disasters-humanitarian-crises-or-other-major-healthcare-emergencies/) and a Delphi study(http://www.evidenceaid.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Report-of-Round-1-of-Policy-Delphi-2016-08-22FINAL1.pdf). In collaboration with Virginia Murray, Evidence Aid successfully co-organised a side event during
the UNISDR Science and Technology Conference on the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for
Disaster Risk Reduction, addressing issues around evidence dissemination and publication. Afterwards
Evidence Aid became a Sendai Framework Science and Technology partner to ensure continuingengagement. For 3ie (International Initiative for Impact Evaluation - http://www.3ieimpact.org/en/), Evidence
Aid founder Mike Clarke, contributed to a scoping study to analyse the evidence base of evaluations inhumanitarian assistance (http://www.3ieimpact.org/en/publications/3ie-scoping-paper-series/3ie-scoping-paper-1/). All these activities somehow contribute of a more evidence based approach, but not all are convinced thisis needed or the best way forward. Evidence Aid will continue to try to convince people that there is a need formore robust evidence and advocate for a more evidence based approach to DRR.
Webpage: http://www.evidenceaid.org/

Introducing new members
Overseas Development Institute (ODI), United Kingdom
The Overseas Development Institute (ODI) is a leading independent think tank on international development and humanitarian issues. Our mission is to inspire and inform policy and practice whichlead to the reduction of poverty, the alleviation of suffering and the achievement of sustainable livelihoods indeveloping countries. We do this by locking together high quality applied research, practical policy advice, andpolicy-focused dissemination and debate. ODI’s Risk and Resilience Programme delivers high quality research,
analysis and policy advice on the distribution of risk, impacts of climate, weather extremes and other hazards
on development, and the political economy of resilience strategies.
ODI’s policy advice and outreach has supported governments, donors, and practitioners across the world toimprove the uptake of risk management and resilience-building approaches. In addition to bespoke advice andprojects ODI have achieved this through our role in major networks including the Climate and Development
Knowledge Network (CDKN).
• ODI have played (and continue to play) a critical role in promoting adaptation and resilience in post-2015 disaster, climate and development agreements, including shaping the outcomes of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and World Humanitarian Summit.
• We are well known for our strong track record in knowledge dissemination, partnering, and acting as intermediaries between climate scientists, social scientists and decision-makers, including in our role as theKnowledge Manager for the BRACED programme (Building Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Extremes
and Disasters) and as the lead institute for PRISE programme (Pathways to Resilience in Semi-arid Economies).
Webpage: https://www.odi.org/

Public Health England, United Kingdom
We are an executive agency of the UK Department of Health, and a distinct deliveryorganisation with operational autonomy to advise and support government, local
authorities and the NHS in a professionally independent manner.
We employ 5,500 staff (full-time equivalent), mostly scientists, researchers and public health professionals.
We have 8 local centres, plus an integrated region and centre for London, and 4 regions (north of England,
south of England, Midlands and east of England, and London). We work closely with public healthprofessionals in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and internationally. Public Health England wasestablished on 1 April 2013 to bring together public health specialists from more than 70 organisations into asingle public health service.
PHE’s research within disaster risk reduction aims to ensure public health and science has a prominent role in
the Sendai framework. To achieve this, PHE regularly conducts robust, evidence-based research into disasterrisk reduction. Our research is conducted on the understanding that disasters don’t recognise borders, and soprotecting the health and wellbeing of the UK involves a commitment research on global issues.
Webpage: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-englandUpcoming Events●

IDRiM Conference, Reyjkavik, Iceland from 23 to 25 August 2017●

World Bosai Forum, Sendai, Japan from 25 to 28 November 2017●

First Meeting of the GADRI Book Series
November 2017

in Tokyo, Japan on 21●●

Meeting of the GADRI Board of Directors in Tokyo on 22 November
2017

Publications●

3rd Global Summit of Research Institutes for Disaster Risk
Reduction: Expanding the Platform for Bridging Science andPolicy Making
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13753-017-0123-z●

Science for Disaster Risk Management 2017: Knowing Betterand Losing Less , European Commission, Join ResearchCentrehttp://drmkc.jrc.ec.europa.eu/knowledge/Challenges-SharingGlobal Alliance of Disaster Research Institutes (GADRI)
At the recommendation of the Second Global Summit of
Research Institutes held at the Kyoto University Disaster
Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto, Japan, in March
2015, the Global Alliance of Disaster Research Institutes(GADRI) was established to support the implementationof the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
2015-2030 (SFDRR) and the work of the Scientific andTechnical Advisory Group of the United Nations Office forDisaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR). One of therecommendations was to form a research roadmap for the
next decade.
To further realize these goals, GADRI join hands withresearch institutes around the world. Since March 2015,
GADRI’s membership has expanded to nearly 100 member
institutions around the globe.
GADRI Secretariat is currently hosted by the Disaster
Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto University,
Uji Campus, Kyoto, Japan.

To Join GADRI:
Contact GADRI Secretariat - secretariat-gadri@dpri.kyoto-u.ac.jp.
Membership is free; and completely voluntary and non-binding.

Global Alliance of Disaster Research Institutes(GADRI) Secretariat
Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI)
Kyoto University, Uji Campus, Gokasho, Uji-shi
Kyoto 611-0011, JAPAN
Tel: +81-774-38-4621
Fax: +81-774-38-4254
E-mail: secretariat-gadri@dpri.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Web: www.gadri.net

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