OCHA Indonesia and the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), with financial support from UNICEF, conducted a disaster coordination training on 20-25 October 2008 in Lembang, West Java referred to as the Indonesia Rapid Response Team for Assessment and Coordination training. The training was designed to enhance the capacity of National Response Teams to carry out needs assessments and coordinate emergency responders at the onset of an emergency. There were 37 participants from government agencies, Indonesia Red Cross, a radio communication organization and other non-governmental organizations. A Disaster Response Advisor from the OCHA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific provided technical support during the event. The training culminated in a 12-hour earthquake response simulation exercise.

The objectives of the training were:

• To develop a team that meets international and national standards, that can coordinate national response to natural disasters at the earliest possible stage, support affected local government efforts and provide linkage and coordination with the international response.
• To introduce and apply tools and systems in rapid assessments and coordination based on the UNDAC expertise.
• To strengthen coordination between local and national government in times of disaster

On 16 December, 2008 the World Bank and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) jointly launched a book in Indonesia that contributes to the world’s understanding of the conditions and actions necessary for establishing effective disaster management information systems. Data Against Natural Disasters highlights that effective systems in post-disaster environments are critical to ensuring aid effectiveness, since inefficiencies in aid distribution may lead to unnecessary economic losses, increased suffering and greater poverty.

 

Data Against Natural Disasters reviews the successes and failures of efforts to establish innovative monitoring systems in post-disaster Guatemala, Haiti, Indonesia, Mozambique, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The chapter on Indonesia describes the methodology used by the World Bank to track nearly eight billion dollars worth of funds for the post-tsunami reconstruction of Aceh and Nias.

The book also highlights the UN’s “cluster approach” which seeks to improve the strength and effectiveness of the humanitarian response, in the event of a large-scale emergency. There are now globally managed emergency stockpiles, trained experts, and other resources that governments may call on to compliment their own disaster-relief efforts.

Since 2005 OCHA and UNDP have been co-chairing the United Nations Technical Working Group for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNTWG-DRR) with the objective of enhancing coordination among UN agencies on DRR related activities and providing technical support and advice on DRR to UNCT. The UNTWG also coordinates DRR activities which the international community implements through other initiatives, such as the Convergence Group. The UNTWG-DRR is also working with the Government of Indonesia in collaboration with donors, Red Cross Societies and non-government organizations in building the capacity of government institutions and communities on disaster risk reduction.

The Working Group consists of technical officers or designated focal persons of agency members of FAO, OCHA, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO.

Objectives of the Working Group for the period 2006-2010 are:

1. To produce a UN Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy which will adopt, among other things:
   
   • UN Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction deriving from International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (Hyogo Framework of Action, etc.), Consolidated Appeal Process (CAP), United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), Millenium Development Goals (MDGs), and best practices from Indonesia and other countries or situations;
   • Cluster Approaches (Health and Nutrition, Shelter and Camp Management, Water and Sanitation, Child Protection and Education, Information and Telecommunication, Logistic, Early Recovery, Food, and Agriculture).
2. To establish an integrated Inter-agency Action Plan to implement the strategy which will elaborate, among other things:
   
   • Targets to achieve
   • Agencies’ specific roles and responsibilities

For more information about UNTWG-DRR click here.