OVERVIEW

The course provides basic concepts on Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Management and how they are applied in the Pacific to reduce the impact of disasters and increase resilience of the vulnerable communities.

Adequate work experience as community, district, and island, provincial and national level related to community development and or Disaster Resilience.

This course is applicable to any personnel with employability skills, good communication and problem solving skills in a community, provincial, district and national level with who may or may not be currently engaged in work related to Disaster Resilience.

Participants will maximise in applying content and concepts with practical scenarios and activities based on real examples to allow high interaction between participants to facilitate discussion and guidance by the trainer to stimulate critical thinking on issues.

It is encouraged to have a multi-agency view and interaction which is driven by what is required, meaningful and useful to the roles of participants. However, it is not competency driven, but mapped to ensure compliance is in the background.

Furthermore, the course was focused in getting to know and work with each other, appreciate the different roles they perform in disaster management, interact as much as possible during the scenarios and gain practical appreciation of the different roles others play in Disaster Risk Management.

The training was an opportunity for all participants to share knowledge and experiences from their perspective careers and countries during disasters. It was an open discussion to for sharing, learning and listening to what other participants encountered in their islands and the challenges they face when a disaster strikes.

OBJECTIVE/FOCUS

“To provide general information and knowledge of Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Management”.

• Define the term Disaster Risk Management (Disaster Risk Reduction & Disaster Management)
• Distinguish between Disaster Risk Reduction, Disaster Management and Disaster Risk Management.
• Define and distinguish vulnerability and risk and Identify vulnerability and hazard assessment methods.
• Describe gender, protection and inclusion in the context of vulnerability assessment.
• Interpret risk from an information product (eg. Digital hazard mapping).
• Distinguish the different phases of the Disaster Management Cycle.
• Explain the stages of the Disaster Management Cycle.
• Identify and explain Climate Change Adaptation in relation to the Disaster Management Cycle.
• Explain the relationship between the Disaster Management cycle and development.
• Explain the term Risk Governance, Role of humanitarian agencies in Risk Governance and coordination.
• Demonstrate the application of risk governance and coordination in planning for disasters.
• Identify programs and activities to support Risk Reduction, Describe different sector approaches to RR.
• Explain challenges implementing programs and activities for DRR.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

In order to complete this course, we were expected to have the following outcomes:

• Describe, explain and distinguish between key terms commonly used in Disaster Risk Management, including a distinction between, DRR, DM and DRM.
• Identify and Analyse Disaster Risk.
• Explain the different phases of the Disaster Management Cycle.
• Describe and Apply Risk Governance and Disaster Coordination.
• Explain Community Risk Management in Disaster Risk Management and Climate.

By the end of the training, we were been able to achieved all of the expected outcomes through group work, discussions between islands, presentations, activities and Unit Tests by the end of every unit. Many of the concepts were new to some of us, however, we were able to get the answers out from this training and now, I am able to use for my work in the Disaster Management Office of Samoa. It is very crucial to learn and understand what is happening not only within your own island but also other islands in the Pacific so that our own community are not vulnerable to risks during Natural disasters.

WAY FORWARD FOR MNRE/SAMOA

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment should be able to get involved in Disaster Risk Management Trainings for individuals to have a knowledge of what to do, where to go and when to perform strategies to reduce risks during natural disasters. It is very crucial for the Ministry to support employees to undergo training of trainers for Disaster Risk Management so that they could perform their own trainings out in communities, families or even their churches.

The course was very helpful and a good start for me as I have just started with DMO for 4 months now. I believe, if this similar training can perform out in other sectors as beginners, it will be a great vitally initiative so that when disasters comes, everyone are well aware of concepts and strategies to implement instead of waiting for first responders to come to rescue.

It was a relevant and valid course to undertake continually so that each concepts are being reviewed monthly or yearly, for participants to keep track for their way forward in our perspective offices. Similarly to the Disaster Management cycle which is a continuous process, this training should undertake continually as well, for old participants to follow up and beginners to learn and understand for their future progress.

Other Ministries and sectors should take up this essential course for their own preparations and knowledge. Disaster Risk Management course, is not only for Disaster Management officers. It is available to everyone who are keen to learn and stay well prepared for upcoming disasters. For the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the people of Samoa should be advised to take up this training. Like for First Aid trainings by Red Cross Society, people are recommended to attend to learn of every steps to perform first aid. Therefore, the same thing should be done for DRM course, to recommend people to take up this crucial course because of the changes we are witnessing with our climate nowadays.

Overall, in order to have better Samoa in the future, these type of trainings or courses should be highly recommended to undergo for all individuals in Government Ministries. Now that we have accredited trainers, they can take up the first step or the first phase to introduce participants to what the course is all about and to give them a clear picture. The Government of Samoa should stand up strong to support this course for the welfare of the citizens