Brian Ward memorial lecture 2013: ASEAN's lessons learned since Nargis
Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, former Secretary-General of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will deliver a lecture on the lessons learned and the country’s progress since Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar in 2008. The event, organized by the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center is supported by the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA-Norway).
The devastating cyclone made landfall in Myanmar on 2 May 2008, sending a storm surge 40 kilometers up the densely populated Irrawaddy Delta, causing catastrophic destruction. Nargis arrived at a critical moment in ASEAN’s efforts to build a region unified in the management of disaster risk and emergencies.
While Myanmar bared the brunt of Nargis’ destructive force, the lessons for the region were many, particularly regarding the vitality of unified action. Myanmar´s authorities ignited disaster risk reduction efforts throughout the country with support from the region and the world. The Government of Myanmar, ASEAN, and UN Agencies established a unique partnership to facilitate disaster recovery with US$349 million secured for the immediate, life-saving humanitarian response.
“The importance of unified action became clearly underlined by the damages caused by the cyclone, but the need for cooperation was also successfully fulfilled. We need more of this kind of action”, Dr. Pitsuwan says.
The experience helped gain momentum for wider disaster risk reduction efforts in Myanmar, and was a contributing factor to the ratification of ASEAN’s Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response. The cyclone also had lessons learned for Myanmar´s development path, as post-Nargis entry points were established to integrate disaster risk reduction into national relief and recovery programs.
“Myanmar continues to improve and integrate disaster risk reduction into its developmental processes with the support from ASEAN. The country is opening up on many fronts and gaining attention worldwide. ASEAN has also made great strides since Nargis to enhance the region’s capacity to handle natural disasters”, Dr. Pitsuwan states.
As guest lecturer, Dr. Pitsuwan will cover the intersection between disaster risk reduction and development planning from a regional perspective. Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), in partnership with The Siam Society will host Dr. Pitsuwan’s lecture, followed by a Question and Answer session with scholars and professionals from around the region.
The lecture is held in memorial of ADPC’S founding father and humanitarian, Brian Ward (1932-2004). Brian Ward is well-known for his contributions to disaster risk management in South and Southeast Asia.