3rd regional training courses of the regional consultative committee program on mainstreaming disaster risk reduction into national development processes

Disaster risk within a country has its roots in development decisions that do not adequately address disaster concerns, and the resulting disasters are coming at the cost of development and poverty reduction. The Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction 2011 outlines that the economic, social and environmental costs of disasters are self-evident, and with a changing climate, increased rate of urbanization, and increasing mismanagement of land, disaster risk and the resulting impacts from disaster events will continue to have costly effects on the progress towards socio-economic development of countries across Asia and the rest of the world. By not considering disaster risk in development planning, governments often unknowingly play a leading role in shaping risk, through investments in infrastructure and public services, and through improper planning and regulation. Thus it is essential that the process of development planning identifies and analyzes the underlying causes of risk, and factors in measures for risk reduction.

Course goal

The goal of the course is to enhance understanding among participants from the RCC member countries on mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in the development planning process, in order to build the capacities of government officials to implement disaster resilient development. The specific objectives of the course include:

1. To increase awareness among participants on the need to mainstream DRR into the development planning processes,
2. To enhance the capacity of participants on ‘how to’ mainstream DRR concerns into the national, sub-national, sectoral development planning processes,
3. To improve capacity on financing DRR activities, and undertaking advocacy, and monitoring and evaluation on mainstreaming DRR into development.
4. To provide a platform for experience sharing, discussion and interactive professional exchange amongst government officials of MDRD practice and experiences between RCC countries.