“Sustainable National Anticipatory Actions through Preparedness (SNAP) in South Asia”
South Asian region has made significant progress in institutionalizing disaster risk management systems and emergency response capabilities in accordance with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR). To strengthen the capacity of disaster management institutions and response agencies at national and local level of the countries in the South Asian region, the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) has implemented various capacity development programmes in the region. Building on these efforts, the ADPC recently launched a regional initiative in collaboration with the USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance to support “Sustainable National Anticipatory Actions through Preparedness (SNAP) in the South Asia region” and expand regional collaboration on emergency preparedness for response.
This programme which was organized jointly by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Sri Lanka and ADPC and supported by USAID-BHA, took place on the 13th and 14th of December 2023 at the hotel, Courtyard by Marriott, Colombo, Sri Lanka. The primary purpose of this regional gathering was to introduce the SNAP South Asia Program and to recognize the crucial role of regional collaboration in emergency preparedness for anticipatory action. Furthermore, this regional meeting was also organized with the objective of establishing a sustainable training system on anticipatory action in Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Maldives by leveraging the expertise of other South Asian countries.
The two day programme witnessed the participation of high profile key officials, experts and stakeholders from National Disaster Management Organizations, response agencies and humanitarian organizations in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries which included Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and the host country Sri Lanka.
The SNAP South Asia regional progamme launch was graced by General G.D.H. Kamal Gunaratne (Retd), Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka and other special invitees included Mr. Dustin Shiau, Regional Director-South and Central Asia, USAID-BHA and representatives from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Namely Dr. Valerie Nkamgang Bemo - Deputy Director, Global Development and Ms. Pilar Pacheco- Senior Program Officer, Emergency Response, Global Development Division.
Welcoming the participants on behalf of DMC and the host nation Sri Lanka, Major General (Retd.) Sudantha Ranasinghe, Director General of the Disaster Management Centre acknowledged the importance of continued collaboration among the seven SAARC nations in the pursuit of disaster resilience and also recognized the efforts of each country’s contribution towards strengthening institutional capacities to manage disaster risks and promote stronger bonds for regional cooperation. The successful conclusion of this event helped the participants to enhance their knowledge, strengthen partnerships and further expand diplomatic relations among the SAARC nations.
