USAID-OFDA The Asia Foundation Success Story

Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA). The foundation's disaster management trainings have addressed the challenge of changing standard operations and thinking to improve disaster management through regional and national level engagement. The Pacific Islands are among the most disaster-prone regions in the world due to their geography. Prior to the introduction of The Asia Foundation's regional training programs, formal disaster management systems did not exist in the Pacific. The development of the field has facilitated both national and regional level disaster preparedness and mitigation activities, resulting in a proactive rather than reactive approach to disaster management. Key concepts based on these trainings have been adopted into standard protocol in the region, including the use of Initial Damage Assessment (IDA) forms and standard operating procedures for national emergency operations centers (EOCs). The Asia Foundation's training programs have demonstrated longevity, with a commitment to developing new ways of thinking and operating that is not an overnight process. The foundation's long-term regional commitment and disaster management expertise are vital components to overcoming challenges and ensuring that new generations of responders develop the competency and ability to operate in difficult situations. The commitment of The Asia Foundation is also significant given the nature of government structures in the Pacific, which result in high staff turnover and often places individuals with little disaster-related experience in the disaster management field. The Asia Foundation's trainings have evolved over the years based on identified needs and have been tailored to the country and individuals involved in the training. The foundation initiated Introduction to Disaster Management (IDM) training in 1995 to bring a broader understanding of the field to the region. The Asia Foundation staff identified a gap associated with an actual mechanism with which to conduct assessments, resulting in the development of IDA training and more recently, the implementation of EOC management training, a highly technical course that provides guidelines for the establishment of emergency centers during a disaster. The trainings undergo constant scrutiny and revision to ensure the highest possible quality. The Asia Foundation works in cooperation with the Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC), a 21-country organization responsible for regional coordination during a disaster. Through disaster management trainings designed to increase response capacity, the foundation supports SOPAC community risk programs focused on building local capacity to mitigate and respond to disasters. By working through the regional structure, The Asia Foundation ensures an integrated approach to disaster management with local stakeholders. The foundation is not just an element of disaster response, but part of a much broader disaster management regional strategy.