Learning the Lessons of “Mega Disasters”
Above: Over 50 participants attended the Pacific Disaster Center’s Senior Policy Forum, “Mega Disasters - A Global "Tipping Point" in Natural Disaster Policy, Planning and Development,” representing a broad spectrum of senior-level representatives from international, regional, national, and local-level agencies. (Image: PDC)

On August 15 and 16, 2006 the Pacific Disaster Center conducted a Senior Policy Forum titled, Mega Disasters - A Global "Tipping Point" in Natural Disaster Policy, Planning and Development.

The purpose of this event was to bring together a broad spectrum of public, private and academic senior-level representatives from international, regional, national, and local-level agencies concerned with humanitarian assistance and emergency management. The goals were to explore the hypothesis that so-called “Mega Disasters” are “Tipping Points” in disaster risk management and humanitarian assistance policy, and to share the resulting lessons learned. The Mega Disasters discussed ranged from the Indian Ocean tsunami, to Hurricane Katrina, to the recent Ka Loko dam break disaster on Kauai, Hawaii—which was a “Mega Disaster” at a local scale.

Representatives from eight countries (Thailand, Singapore, Korea, Indonesia, Philippines, Japan, Australia, and Canada), nine U.S. states, and four Hawaiian Islands joined to share experiences and discuss the growing complexity of disaster management as a global concern. Perspectives from regional and national governments, the military, the science and technology communities (both academic and industrial) and global relief agencies were presented. Topics covered included climate change, infectious diseases, as well as both natural and man-made disasters. Honored guests making presentations included: Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa; Vice Minister Dr. Smith Dharmasaroja, Thailand; his Excellency Keng-Yong Ong, Secretary General, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN); Major General Glenn Rabonza, Philippines; Mr. Terje Skavdal, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA); Mr. Edward Young, NOAA; and Dr. Earnest Paylor II, WorldTech, Inc.

Left: his Excellency Keng-Yong Ong, Secretary General, Association of Southeast Asian Nations; Center: Mr. Terje Skavdal, Regional Disaster Response Advisor, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs; Right: Major General Glenn Rabonza, Philippines Office of Civil Defense. (Images: PDC)

Findings
The findings of the participants were that Mega Disasters are having previously unrecognized global implications, are steadily evolving in intensity and geographic distribution, and are becoming increasingly complex—all against a backdrop of increasing populations at risk throughout the Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. One measure of this complexity is the variety of responders to disasters. For example, in the first month following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, 12 national governments and military assets from 35 countries, as well as 16 United Nations agencies and over 160 NGOs were required to coordinate in response activities.

Key Issues
Participants came to a consensus that Mega Disasters are global in scope (with local, social, and economic impacts), rapidly evolving (e.g. the problems of climate change-induced sea level rise is something new which must be accounted for), and expanding concerns (e.g. they now encompass a broad range of issues ranging from post-conflict situations to “complex emergencies” to potentially pandemic infectious diseases).

In addition, there was a consensus that risk is increasing in the Asia Pacific region, as greater numbers of populations are now living in hazard-prone areas.

It is essential to build bridges between high-level decision makers and the science community, so that vital information is inputted into decision-making processes. In addition, it is vital that an “all-hazards” approach is taken to fostering disaster-resilient communities.

Recommendations
Recommendations from a political and social perspective included:

• the need to bridge the gap between science and technology and decision makers;
• increasing regional cooperation (recent Mega Disasters have prompted new patterns and potentials for collaboration);
• increased emphasis on human rights, marginalized populations, and disaster-associated trauma; and
• defining the social, cultural, economic, and policy linkages inherent in fostering disaster-resilient and sustainable communities within the context of "national-to-local" action.

• improving "Decision Support Tools" for decision makers concerned with disaster management;
• adopting a "knowledge-based planning" approach integrating other phases of disaster management with "response" (i.e. "preparedness," "mitigation," and "recovery"); and
• incorporating a multi-sector, interdisciplinary integrated research and analysis approach.

Above: PDC Executive Director
Dr. Allen Clark. (Image: PDC)

"There will always be disasters. There will always be impacts. But recent events are beginning to tell us that Disaster Risk Reduction is the key to mitigating the impacts, saving lives, and creating disaster-resilient and sustainable communities." --PDC Executive Director Dr. Allen Clark

Left: Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa; Center: Vice Minister Dr. Smith Dharmasaroja, Thailand; Right: Mr. Edward Young, Deputy Director, National Weather Service Pacific Regional Headquarters. (Images: PDC)