dipecho drr managers meet 2009 report

ASIA DIPECHO/DRR MANAGERS MEET REPORT 28-30 October 2009, Dhulikel, Nepal

Sitting (L-R): Khem Raj, Pratima, Megh, Adriano, Bijay, John, jim, Shyam Standing (L-R): Krishnan, Paras, Shaurabh, Swapan, Harjeet, Shakeb, Aloy, Rohitha, Nahakul, Mrinal, Claudia

Amidst the undulating hills, with majestic Himalays as the backdrop, the Asia IECT team

comprising DIPECHO managers, DRRS project team and senior IECT members gathered in

Dhulikel, Nepal to share knowledge, learn from each other and chart the way forward to make

DRR intervention stronger and efficient in ActionAid. It was a time for critical reflection, a time

for planning action and a time to engage in strategic dialogue, underlining the commitment of

the participants to the organization and the values it stands for. It was a time for formal

meetings and informal parleys… serious discourses and lighthearted banter… critical

engagements and funny moments… serious discussions and informal chats… meeting old

friends and making new ones… as always, the DRR team had lots of fun and the results were

more than expected… new ideas, new thoughts, new decisions, renewed commitments… all for

our collective but focused pursuit of propelling DRR work in AAI to newer heights… This report

captures the process and outcome of this much looked forward meet… HAPPY READING

AAI DIPECHO/DRR MANAGERS MEET, 2009 Page 1

ASIA REGIONAL DIPECHO/DRR MANAGERS MEET 28-30 October 2009, Dhulikel, Nepal

DETAILED REPORT Introduction The second AAI ASIA DIPECHO/DRR meeting was held from 28th to 30th October, 2009 in Dhulikhel, Nepal. The meeting brought together DRR practitioners from AAI, including DIPECHO/DRRS project managers and IECT team members to deliberate on key lessons, learning, issues and way forward. This report essentially tries to capture the fruitful discussions and deliberations during the meet, to act as future reference document for IECT and different country programs in Asia. Background AAI IECT has been involved in DRR initiatives for past few years, particularly in Asia. Since 2001, AAI has been undertaking different projects in DRR and has gained considerable lateral experience from various countries, particularly India, Bangladesh and Nepal. In addition, recent forays into DRR in countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand etc. has given a boost to overall DRR framework in AAI, helping the organization to realize its overall mission in human security work. AAI in Asia is involved in DIPECHO projects since 2001. A combination of diligent execution, efficiency and clarity in conceptual framework coupled by our strong grassroots involvement in giving shape to the planned objects and anticipated results has gained highest levels of appreciation not only from the donors, but also different stakeholders involved in DRR work. In addition, AAI has been implementing the DRRS projects in different countries, including Bangladesh, India and Nepal in the region. Thus, there are huge investments made in DRR work, strategically complementing the mission of AAI to ensure safety and security of the most vulnerable people. With abundant experience, increasing focus and potential donor involvement in scaling up DRR work in the region, IECT has been proactively involved in promoting efforts to share experiences, bring cross country clarity and encourage innovative concepts on DRR. Towards this, the first DIPECHO managers meet was held in New Delhi, India in June 2008 that led to the first ever such meet to discuss potential areas of sharing, learning as well as challenges. The meeting was a huge success and resulted in formulating concrete steps and suggestions to make DRR work more meaningful and efficient in the region. This second DIPECHO Managers meeting thus brought together not only the DIPECHO/DRRS projects in Asia, but also other countries programs with DRR initiatives, who also have the potential to be future ECHO partners on disaster preparedness. Moreover, with increasing DRR initiatives in the region, it was felt that the time is also ripe for finding avenues to bring synergy into the overall DRR framework within AA country programs. Objectives of the DIPECHO/DRR Managers Meet The objective of the meet was to bring together DIPECHO/DRR managers from the region to deliberate and provide concrete plans to strengthen DRR initiatives within country programs as well as within the region. The meet intended to exploit the experience and expertise of DIPECHO/DRR managers from the region to contribute to overall DRR framework of ActionAid human security theme.


Methodology The DIPECHO/DRR managers meet was highly participatory. The high level of experience, expertise and skills of the team was exploited during the workshop. The meet gave scope for individual as well as collective presentations, brining synergy into the creative thoughts and ideas generated during the meet. There was a country-specific, project-specific and regional specific discussion in addition to deliberations within the larger human security theme framework of ActionAid International. A panel discussion on Climate Change and DRR was organized to inform participants and bring clarity into the thoughts of participants in developing appropriate action plans within RBA framework for integrating CC within DRR initiatives at various levels. The meeting also provided an opportunity for the participants to get to know each other, develop rapport and camaraderie, considered crucial by IECT to improve understanding, quality and overall efficiency through mutual sharing and learning. The agenda of the meeting is attached in Annex 1. Participants The meeting was participated by Action Aids’ Asia regional DIPECHO and DRR managers as well as representatives from IECT, AAI, project staffs. There were 21 participants in the 3-day meet in which Ramesh Singh, AAI CEO, was present briefly. The senior Human Security team members included Bijay Kumar, International Thematic Head (Human Security) and John Abuya, International DRS Project Manager. The panel discussion on 29th of October 2009 had increased audience with over 45 people listening to the experts’ views on climate change and DRR. The invited guests included AA team members from Nepal as well as representatives of other key stakeholders from the country. The participants list is attached in Annex 2.

Proceedings of DIPECHO/DRR Managers Meet - DAY One, 28 October 2009 Inaugural Session, 28 October 2009, 90 min Facilitator: P. V. Krishnan, DIPECHO Project Manager, Nepal The meeting started with Mr. PV Krishnan, DIPECHO Manager in Nepal welcoming the participants and wishing a fruitful meeting. He also briefly recapitulated the key outcome of the first DIPECHO/DRR Meet held in New Delhi in June 2008, which came out with some interesting suggestions for furthering DRR work in AAI. Mr. Khem Raj Upadhyaya, welcomed the participants on behalf of the Country Director and senior management team of ActionAid Nepal, who were hosting the meet. During his introductory remarks, he underlined the strategic processes and revision of country strategy paper of ActionAid Nepal, mentioning the organizational priority to disaster risk reduction as a cross cutting theme. He emphasized that AAN has gone a step ahead in incorporating the key learning from DRR projects in the country into the long term development initiatives supported by AAN. During his opening remarks, John Abuya, the International DRRS Project Manager, AAI shared his experiences in mainstreaming DRR through the school based approach. He mentioned that


ActionAid has gained huge experience through DRR through School Projects and there are exciting opportunities ahead to scale up such approaches. He further shared that Action Aid has been involved in many global networks influencing global policy framework and decisions on DRR. He underlined the importance of incorporating climate change messages into DRR. John mentioned that DRR and CCA work has good potential not just in terms of operational opportunities but also in terms of streamlining the entire development work in AAI. Mr. Paras Mani Tamang, IECT Asia Advisor introduced the participants to the ongoing DRR initiatives in the region. He underlined the key objectives of IECT team, who are providing technical and managerial support, including fund raising, to human security work in AAI that involves three strands of operations, responding to emergencies, responding to conflicts and engagement in DRR. This was followed by introduction of participants, who introduced themselves with their name, affiliation and the work they are undertaking in DRR front. Introducing the objective of the workshop and the expected outcomes, Krishnan underlined the increasing investments in DRR that AAI has been making in Asia and the various appreciations and acknowledgements that we have received over the years on the quality of work we do with the people. Mr. Shaurabh Sharma, Finance and Administration Officer for AAN DIPECHO project briefed on administrative and logistics arrangements. While the workshop objective is listed above, the objective of the day 1 was to: a) To learn from different country programs and identify key good DRR practices that has potential

for global replication b) To understand the DRR policy praxis and identify potential policy interventions to be taken

forward by DIPECHO/DRR projects at national, regional and global levels Session 2, Key Learning Session I: 28 October 2009, 120 minutes Replicable DRR good practices and innovations from AAI Session Facilitator: Adriano B. Nava, Jr, DIPECHO Project Manager, ActionAid Afganistan The session started with Adriano underlining the objective of the session, which was to draw out some of the innovations, good practices and processes that have transcended local context and have a potential for global learning and replication. There were eight presentations in this session, drawing upon the experiences from the field on practices that have potential for global replication. The presentations included field experiences from different countries. The presentations (maximum 10 minutes duration, on one or two practices) were as follows.

Country/Project Who Presented Content of Presentation in a nutshell

Bangladesh, DIPECHO Shakeb Nabi Preparedness in institutions with high concentration of population – experience of working with garment workers in Dhaka

Hospital Safety and Mass Casualty Management: working with government and hospitals in improving safety and preparedness

Vietnam, DIPECHO Rajindra Rohitha Media Advocacy on DRR, harnessing strength and influence of media to strengthen DRR policy and action at government levels, case study of JANI network in Vietnam/SE Asia


Five Good Practices for global replication

1. Using PVA at district/higher level, Cambodia

2. Media and DRR Common Tools, Vietnam

3. Hospital Safety initiative, Bangladesh

4. DRR curriculum in schools, Nepal & India

5. Linking DRR discourse into REFLEFT and PVA process, Nepal

Institutional capacity building at grassroots, empowering the community through mobilizing and awareness on DRR

Thailand, Tsunami Response

Rungtip Imrungruang

Tsunami response program in Thailand, with emphasis on psycho-social care among students, children and other vulnerable groups

Cambodia, DIPECHO Aloysius James Strengthening DRR plan and action at district levels: Application of PVA in higher administrative units

Afghanistan, DIPECHO Adriano. B. Nava, Jr

Small Scale mitigation efforts in flood zones and sand dune zones in Afganistan: Environmental protection measures

International, DRRSP Nahakul Thapa Development of DRR School Curriculum: processes and outcomes that resulted in inclusion of DRR within mainstream curricula in Nepal

Child to parent approach in disaster preparedness: Innovative approach to risk reduction

India, DIPECHO Gohain Mrinal School centric approach to disaster risk reduction, school safety in high vulnerable zones

Nepal, DIPECHO Shyam Sunder Jnavaly

Taking DRR to development route by linking REFLECT and PVA

Multi-stakeholder coordination, linking people to policies for strengthening DRR framework in Nepal

Session 3, Key Learning Session II: 28 October 2009, 90 minutes Identified good practices for documentation and international dissemination Session Facilitator: Shakeb Nabi, DIPECHO Project Manager, ActionAid Bangladesh In this session, the case studies, good practices and lessons learned were taken for further detailed analysis, so as to identity five cases that will be converted into technical papers for potential replication within and outside AAI. The participants were divided into separate groups and asked to prioritize the case studies keeping in mind a) potential for global replication b) viable practice that will have direct relevance to the objective of DRR work we are doing and c) AAI has gathered sufficient expertise in that matter. The groups were also asked to identify potential challenges in taking forward the good practices from the field.

Participants debated on the various case studies that were presented. Subsequently, it was decided to identify the top five cases for follow up and taken up for publication at IECT level. Country programs and managers were encouraged to identify and document all the good practices and lessons learned from their own countries and projects. Participants later took each of the cases and tried to address various processes and challenges. The summary of the group presentation is given below:


Points of Discussions

Practice 1 (Aloy, Harjeet, Pratima)

Practice 2 (Rohitha, Krish, Megh)

Practice 3 (Shakeb, Ashok, John, Jim)

Practice 4 (Nahakul, Adriano, Swapan, Paras)

Practice 5 ( Shyam, Khem, Mrinal)

Why this case is universally important

Bottom up process Government commitment/various declaration KL declaration, UNISDR global plat form RCC declaration

Expanded outreach and coverage to affected populations and stakeholders Media is a powerful advocacy tool Rapid dissemination of DRR messages

Main important institution in disaster response Saving lives Reducing causality and disability Dignity in post mortem perspective First institution that relates to everybody: poor or rich, women and men Not many development actors are working on it

Reach out to many Training at childhood Transferring knowledge Preparing next generations Establishing culture of preparedness Transfer of knowledge

Space for integration in all programmatic sectors Opportunities for mass conscientization Opportunity for using HFA3 as an opportunity-driving vehicle for popular education in DRR (applying REFLECT & PVA)

Processes that we have followed

Working with government Joint initiative with others coaching and nurturing Developed tools and methods Larger involvement of commune leaders besides the departments

Using Media fellowship as entry point DRR orientation for journalists Exposure to DRR initiatives Technical support from PC Prioritizing and adapting DRR messages Facilitating publications of articles in various media

Orientation of stakeholders on hospital safety Participatory gap analysis Formal agreement with stakeholders: government Orienting different key personals who work in hospital on disaster response Guideline on simulation and conducting periodic exercise Dynamic contingency planning

Sensitization of key stakeholders Making Government accountable on DRR Advocacy at different level Formation of task force comprises of DRR experts, educationist, CSO, people’s representative, Government etc. Development of curriculum frameworks by the Task Force in consultation with key stakeholders at all levels

Infusing DRR content across the sectors in Education whether Non-formal/Alternative/Adult literacy and Formal

Challenges we have faced, that can crop up

New experience for ActionAid skills and capacity with in organization Mind set and attitude in working with government systems

Creating space and interest on DRR with Popular media Directing the initiative towards a larger policy group Assessing impact on audience Limited expertise within media on DRR

How do we involve community with hospital safety? Equal treatment for disaster effected and non-effected Governance: enabling policy and implementation

Politics Developing an alliance itself a challenge Training of teachers/facilitators Ethnic diversity (how to bring together experiences of all ethnic groups)

Limitations in availability of reference materials/literature on DRR, skilled persons, even adequate knowledge (policy and practice)

How to move ahead… disseminate… scaling up…

Document the experiences Involve DA to take it forward Sensitize the internal team and ActionAid family Sell the idea in various forums Use it as annex in the PVA guide the experience of working with district with PVA Raise resources with ECHO, AUSAID and other donors

Develop case study as position paper Set up a working group developing a communication and media strategy Involve Communication Focal person from IECT to take lead Publication and mass dissemination by IECT Communication Advocacy to be taken up by the proponent (DIPECHO )

Concept/Strategy/Operational guideline on hospital safety Link with school curriculum Documentation of good practice on hospital safety Cross-learning and information dissemination

Mobilizing funding Developing strategy/road map Building alliance

Engaging with existing community based government and civil society structures Engaging with mass movements Compilation of reference materials and best practices for taking popular education on DRR forward (REFLECT and PVA inclusive)


Key Decisions Taken in Lessons Learned/Good Practices session The identified five good practices will be taken further for elaborate documentation as a technical paper and subsequent publication for sharing. Focal points to gather information and develop technical papers based on experience were decided, including the deadline for finalizing the article. The key decisions and process are given in the following table:

Topic Lead person Process and deadline

Application of PVA in higher administrative and demographic levels – experience of PVA field application in Cambodia

Aloysius James

Overall focal point: Paras Mani Tamang Deadline for submission to Paras: 7th December 2009 Review by IECT team, submission to IECT communication in charge, Airlie Taylor: 15 Dec 2009 Editing, fine tuning the case studies: 7 Jan 2010 Publication, both electronic and hard copies by IECT: 15 Jan 2010

Engaging media in DRR work towards influencing advocacy – experience of working with media on DRR in Vietnam

Rohitha Rajendra

Hospital safety and mass casualty management, experience from Bangladesh

Shakeb Nabi

School safety and curriculum development, experience from Nepal and India

Nahakul Thapa

Mainstreaming DRR into development, REFLECT and PVA process from Nepal

Shyam Jnavaly

Session 4, Key Learning Session III: 28 October 2009, 90 minutes DRR Policy Framework Session Facilitator: Mrinal Gohain, DIPECHO Project Manager, ActionAid India Key Presenter: Megh Ranjini Rai, DRR Policy Advisor

This session started with Megh making a presentation on DRR policy framework in ActionAid, following up on the draft policy that was developed in the Nairobi meeting in June 2009. Megh mentioned that one of the key aims of the IECT is for developing policies and practices that enable poor people to reduce their vulnerabilities. She gave a presentation on the proposed DRR/CCA policy guidelines for AAI, underlining the importance for AAI role in reaching people’s voices to policy makers. She explained the scope to undertake policy advocacy work within countries as well as at regional/global levels. She also shared some upcoming directions in 2009 at local, national and international level followed by the ISDR report on Global and European perspectives on reducing disaster risk. Following Megh’s presentation John Abuya talked about the current international perspective on DRR and climate change. He mentioned that disaster is becoming more frequent and uncertain and disaster risk reduction cannot be addressed unless we address


climate change. John shared about the model (Annex III) of linking Climate change adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction. He emphasized the need to fully understand the CC / DRR issues at local, district, national and international levels. At local level, DDRSP and DIPECHO is working at grassroots level addressing the underlying causes of disasters through a people centric initiative, linking techno-managerial solutions, political initiatives as well as prevention and mitigation measures at various levels, linking them to appropriate policy levels while ensuring knowledge generation to further collective learning. DRR and climate change cannot be addressed in isolation. The information generated will help to contribute to NAPA and must link with national disaster management strategy and act. These must be discussed in global platforms of UNISDR and UNFCC for mitigation and adaptation of climate change contributing to climate change for ecosystem justice. He also addressed about Global Network which is a key institution, there is need for pushing national platforms so as to bring up voices and perspectives of grassroots level on disaster and CCA. The presentations were followed by open discussion on how AAI DRR/DIPECHO projects can effectively engage in policy discourses at various levels. This led to some very critical suggestion to improve the quality of our DRR policy work.

Key suggestions on DRR policy Framework a. Participants will contribute to the draft policy framework developed in Nairobi in June 2009,

towards making it the final draft to be adopted by IECT. Megh will follow up with others and ensure that the policy is placed to IECT management for adoption

b. DIPECHO/DRRS project will continue to engage in policy work, with principal aim of reaching people’s voices to policy makers and ensuring that grassroots community are a part of policy formulation process at various levels

c. IECT should involve managers, who understand the ground realties and are better prepared to represent community voice, in various policy discourses at various levels

d. IECT should ensure that DIPECHO/DRR managers are kept in the policy discourse loop within AAI The first day of the workshop ended with Nahakul drawing key lessons from the various presentations in the day. This was done by asking participants one key thing they learned during the day, which included the following topics. The evaluation for the day was also conducted in the form of filling up evaluation sheet that was presented to all participants.

Proceedings of DIPECHO/DRR Managers Meet - DAY TWO, 29 October 2009 Day 2 started with Pratima giving a brief recap of the previous day discussions. underlining Krishnan welcomed the participants to the second day of the workshop and iterated the key objective of the day as follows: a) To conceptualize and arrive at working agreements

on scaling up DRR work through a regional approach, and

b) Learn from the Climate Change and DRR discourse to gain ideas on how to incorporate climate change discourses within the ongoing DIPECHO and DRRS projects.

Claudia Amaral, DIPECHO focal point for DG ECHO, from SA Regional office in New Delhi, joined the team. While she was a keen observer to the proceedings, she also gave time to individual DIPECHO managers from SA to discuss project related issues.


Session 5, Key Planning Session: 28 October 2009, 300 minutes Regional DRR initiatives by AAI Session Facilitators: Paras Mani Tamang and Harjeet Singh, IECT Advisors

The second day was about key planning session/technical session of regional DRR deliberations integrating DIPECHO and DRR within IECT and finding ways forward. The session was facilitated by Mr. Paras and Mr. Harjeet. The facilitators shared the objectives of this session as to come up with concrete plan/concept/framework towards developing regional DRR/DIPECHO project and informed that the sessions should overcome differences,

arrive at consensus, seek commitment and develop a blue print for moving ahead with responsibilities and tasks clearly identified, marked and assigned to. It was also suggested to think about tapping resources as it is extremely important to move forward. Paras also shared some potential funding organization like ECHO and AusAID

which needs to be explored through IPD. The facilitators formed guidelines for regional/sub-regional initiatives on DRR/CCA, and also the participants were divided according to region i.e. South Asia (SA) region and South East Asia (SEA) Region, for discussions. The guidelines are listed in text box 2. After more than an hour of discussions in the morning, mapping issues and way to move forward in multi-country level projects, presentations were made by the two groups on their respective regions. The findings of the groups, for regional level engagements are as follows:

South Asia Region Whereas South Asia is a hot spot for disasters, there are issues like rivers and water sharing that have become politically sensitive issues. In addition, seismic vulnerability is one cross cutting issue across South Asian countries, which can perhaps form the basis for our regional approach to DRR. There is a need to engage with regional actors like SAARC. Based on the group discussions, the following areas could be explored to the regional approach, which will draw experiences from country programs but will have wider relevance. The five point agenda recommended for South Asia region are:

Mass casualty management: Mapping existing gaps, policies and resources on mass casualty management, development appropriate guidelines. This will also include school and hospital safety, more on awareness/advocacy levels across the countries

South East Asia Region The common issues of South East Asia region are disaster induced poverty and lack of coping capacity of people and institutions. In all four working country of ActionAid in SEA, there is low awareness on DRR / Climate Change, inactive CBDRM, inadequate grounding of HFA and insufficient ASEAN engagement. The key objective of regional initiatives will be capacity building of key stakeholders at regional and national levels, strengthening institutional frameworks, building awareness on DRR / CC at all levels, integration of DRR / Climate Change in the development planning and strengthening national policies. Six strategies has been highlighted which are as follows:

Engagement with ASEAN DRR Secretariat to strengthen regional policy and guidelines on DRR

Alliance building at national and regional levels, supporting in-country coordination as well as regional coordination systems


Build Human Resource base: Based on the previous DIPECHO funding to develop CBDRR manual, develop a pool of trainer/professionals on CBDRR in various countries

Lab to Land – make case studies into practical guidelines from different DRR projects in the region

DRR Media Professionals: Develop a pool of media professionals on DRR across the countries – promote media to influence policy decisions on cross-country issues, particularly on mass casualty management

Strengthening national platforms on DRR/CC, helping nations to adhere HFA priorities

Engagement with ASEAN People’s Forum, to reach people’s voices to decision makers in the region

Mobilization of Media Forums, linking DRR issues to popular media towards advocacy efforts

Networking / Linkage with South Asian platforms / forum on DRR / CC. Promote active platforms and forum at national and regional level for shared ideas and designs

The presentation was followed by detailed analytical discussions by the participants. It was also decided that Krishnan and Aloysius will fine tune the conceptual framework for SA and SEA respectively by the end of November for SEA and end of December for SA. This is to be circulated to all participants for their comments and suggsstions and then submitted to IECT. Key points generated from the discussions included: Ms. Claudia Borges Alvares Amaral, DRR TA of ECHO, India shared her views in this forum. She highlighted ECHO’s perspectives working on DRR. DIPECHO has grown over the years and is considered one of the important investments by ECHO. DIPECHO is no more just piloting, but strengthening overall DRR work through lessons learned, scaling up and engagement in policy strengthening initiatives in different countries. She expressed excitement in listening to the presentations made on regional directives in scaling up of DRR projects. She said that it was necessary to scale up to bring new dimensions and ECHO’s perspective at the macro level. She felt that the issues identified in the presentations were very interesting and relevant to scaling up to regional levels. She also provided food for thought in terms of DRR advocacy/policy work at the regional level concerning experiences of CBDRM. Existing examples, experiences and learning such as School and hospital Safety are international DRR issues that have relevance in different countries and could be replicated. The regional DIPECHO TL underlined the core essence of DIPECHO is to work with the communities to enhance their coping skills. So, the works planned at country or multi - country level should have direct relevance to enhancing community’s resilience to disasters. She also mentioned that It is necessary to look at log frame indicators and see where school safety, hospital safety, and mass casualty management can stand up and add value to scale up these experiences in the countries that we work in. She also talked about working with stakeholders and building their capacities as well as our own and brings in elements of coordination. She added that ECHO is looking forward to seeing ActionAid regional projects in the future and develop the opportunity to add value in DRR work in the region.

Shyam, Claudia and Aloysius… deeply engrossed in the presentation


Points to Keep in Mind for Multi-Country DRR Projects

The multi-country/regional project should be strategic in nature, adding value to regional efforts in DRR. It should not be a sum of different country programs.

The project should have direct community relevance. Anything that we do should ultimately reflect in building community resilience to disasters

Policy Advocacy at regional level should have concrete components that would have direct impact on the disaster vulnerable people, not just in terms of policy formulation but also in terms of policy implementation

Enough piloting has been done. It is time to enlarge the scope through appropriate scale up measures

Any regional project should be based on our strengths, drawing from years of implementing DRR projects in Asia

Any regional effort should strengthen and add value to overall DRR work in the region, not just for ActionAid. We should think in global terms and involve all stakeholders to make it a true regional project

Do not be ambitious to start with. Take up only winning issues and interventions that can be justified.

Key decisions taken on regional proposals

Concept papers will be developed based on the key recommendations from the DIPECHO/DRR managers, as mentioned earlier.

Aloysius will lead the South East Asia concept development. The first draft of concept should be submitted to IECT by 30 Nov 2009

Krishnan will lead the South Asia concept development. The first draft of concept should be submitted to IECT by 31 Dec 2009

IECT will start discussthe concept/project with potential donors. IECT will fine tune the proposal for serious considerations by donors like ECHO.

Session 6, Key Learning Session: 29 October 2009, 120 minutes Panel Discussion on “Climate Change and DRR” Moderator: Khem Raj Upadhyaya, Head of Programs, ActionAid Nepal Panelists: Bhusan Tuladhar, Ajay Dixit and Harjeet Singh

Impact of Climate Change is having an adverse effect on people. Climate induced disasters have made lives and conditions even more uncertain, adding on the misery of the already vulnerable community. Naturally, disaster risk reduction has to invariably embrace climate change impact, so as to prepare the community against possible uncertainties in lives through climate induced disasters. As a part of the ongoing debate on CC, the AAI DIPEHCO/DRR managers meet organized a panel discussion on Climate Change and DRR, primarily to engage DRR practitioners on climate change adaptation and discussing ways and means for practical application of CC adaptation into


ongoing DRR work. The organizers also invited practitioners and managers from other international organizations and stakeholders to participate in the panel discussion, with twin purpose of contributing to the debate as well as interacting with the AAI DRR team. The panelists included Bhusan Tuladhar, Executive Director of ENPHA, Ajaya Dixit, Director of ISET Nepal and Harjeet Singh, IECT Advisor for AAI. The panel discussion was moderated by Khem Raj Upadhyaya, Head of Programs, AA Nepal.

The discussion started with Khem Raj introducing the topic. In his opening remarks, he underlined the increasing significance of Climate Change related issues in DRR and the need for DRR to comprehensively address adverse impact of climate change on the most vulnerable populations we work for. He touched upon the ongoing debate of ‘Adaptation’ and ‘Mitigation’ and the need for international agencies to address both concerns at various levels. Khem Raj also introduced the panelists and facilitated a

quick round of introduction from the nearly 40 participants who came to listen to and engage in the discussions. The experts’ presentation was started by Bhusan, who informed the audience about the science of climate change, how the natural and manmade causes are responsible to raise the green house gases (GHGs), the cause of global warming and climate change and its impact on health, agriculture, water resources, forest and species. He talked about technical as well as political point of view of climate change and updated on the process leading to Copenhagen for COP 15. He shared the three ways of responding to climate change i.e. mitigation, adaptation and carbon market and negotiation processes. He emphasized that mitigation may not be a problem, but adaptation is an issue. Harjeet, the second panelist, presented ideas on how disaster risk reduction (DRR) can be integrated with Climate change adaptation (CCA). He mentioned that climate change as an environmental issue has been making impact in community and shared the international commitments made over climate change and DRR and five priorities of HFA. He mentioned that is necessary to look at how CC community link with DRR and the linkages between DRR and CC? He further shared similarities and dissimilarities of CCA and DRR. He emphasized that DRR is first line to defense against climate change and HFA has been well advocated in supporting developing countries (particularly vulnerable) in building resilience, providing compensation and ensuring rehabilitation for loss and damage. He added that increasing threat of climate change is recognized as a source of great risk but at the same time offers the potential for a ‘triple win’ – adaptation, DRR and poverty reduction. He also shared the things to do in upcoming years.

Panelists (L-R): Harjeet Singh, Bhusan Tuladhar and Ajaya Dixit


The third expert in the panel, Ajaya Dixit gave some reflections on climate change and DRR on the basis of eagle eye perspective (views of science) and toad’s eye perspective (people). He started with history of fossil fuels and shared the changing pattern of temperature and precipitation from the view of General Circulation Models. He noted that scientific limitations need to be recognized as the scientific tools and models are inconsistencies among themselves. He also shared the need of shared learning dialogue for CCA and DRR. After the presentations from the experts, the moderator threw the floor open to the audience. The discussions were very encouraging, prompting and thought provoking, ranging from ongoing policy level initiatives in Nepal to direct implication of the climate change debates like COP on the actual sufferers on ground. Over 30 questions were directed to the panelists, who have to dwell deep into their experience and knowledge to satisfy the curiosity of the participants, most of whom were managers and practioners of DRR. The climate change and DRR panel discussion ended with Krishnan offering vote of thanks to the panelists, moderator as well as the audience to make it a lively and enriching event. Ramesh Singh, Chief Executive of AAI offered token mementos to the panelists and the moderator. The panel discussion was followed by the Meet Dinner, joined by all workshop participants and invited guests. The second day of the DIPECHO/DRR managers meet was eventful in terms of participation also. Ramesh Singh, Chief Executive of AAI graced the occasion with his presence, taking time out of extremely busy schedule in Nepal. He also interacted exclusively with the DRR/DIPECHO managers and IECT members, listening to the proceedings of the meeting and

responding immediately to some of the issues raised by the participants aimed at strengthening the entire DRR fraternity within AAI. The organizers of the event and participants are grateful to Ramesh Singh for spending quality time with the team members. Encouraging words from the Chief Executive were of immense motivation to the participants.

The day also witnessed arrival of Bijay Kumar, International Thematic Head for Human Security in AAI, who had plans to spend two days with the DIPECHO/DRR managers meet and with Nepal team as a part of his planned field visit. Claudia Amaral, DIPECHO Focal Point for South Asia from ECHO New Delhi office managed to find time from her busy schedule to attend the DIPECHO/DRR managers meet on 29 Oct. She appreciated this kind of internal sharing events by AAI and encouraged more such sharing and cross learning between various country programs. She also shared her views on DIPECHO programs, what lies ahead and possible future directions for projects.

The team meeting Ramesh, CEO, AAI

The team meeting Ramesh, CEO, AAI


Proceedings of DIPECHO/DRR Managers Meet - DAY THREE, 30 October 2009 The day started with a short introduction to the various sessions by Krishnan, followed by a quick recap by Pratima on the key outcome and learning from previous day. The importance of the day 3 is towards making plans for integration of climate change initiatives into DRR work of AAI, drawing key lessons from the panel discussion held previous evening. Also, the day will also look into irritants and challenges that affect DIPECHO projects, discussions on ways and means to forge stronger partnerships for future and closing of the workshop. Thus, the objective of Day 3 will be:

a) To identify practical and immediate action points on Climate Change Adaptation that can be incorporated into ongoing DIPECHO/DRRS projects

b) To discuss organizational and operational difficulties and issues and arrive at practical solutions to overcome problem areas

Session 7, Key Planning Session: 30 October 2009, 120 minutes Integrating Climate Change Adaptation to ongoing DRR projects Session Facilitators: Shyam Sunder Jnavaly, Asst. Project Manager, DIPECHO, AA Nepal

On invitation by the facilitator, Harjeet shared the key learning from panel discussion on Climate Change and DRR that has relevance to the ongoing projects in AAI. He gave pointers to practical ideas and methods that can be incorporated immediately within DIPECHO and DRRS projects. Harjeet highlighted some key future directions for DRR and climate change at local, national and international level. He added that identification of vulnerable areas like costal, urban, mountainous,

THANK YOU BOSS!

Smiles All Around… A Moment to cherish… …participants with the Ramesh Singh, CEO, AAI after a highly encouraging meeting on 29

th Oct 2009


lowland is necessary for climate change mapping and information dissemination is necessary at levels below nationals. Orientation of community in CC and DRR has to be done and community has to be asked the various changes they have been facing over the years. We need to ask people why such changes are happening and the implications of such environmental changes in the lives and livelihood of people. It is also essential to integrate climate change into the PVA processes we are already undertaking, giving importance to tools like seasonality to inform the changes in climate patterns at local levels. He suggested that the best way we can move ahead is to bring the climate change realization from an unconscious level to a conscious level within the community mindset, thereby engaging them in the climate change DRR discourse and seeking solutions from the community itself towards possible adaptation measures. This was followed by group discussions on how to take forward climate change discourse through the ongoing projects like DIPECHO and DRRS: Shared learning and dialogue with DRR stakeholders on climate change – Linking grassroots

community people, CSO, I/NGO and social movements in the discourse

Climate change session on CBDRM/PVA/REFLECT and other training workshop curriculum for staff, communities and other stakeholders

Minor mitigation to address climate change adaptation through people centric initiatives

Incorporate CC in project proposal design on awareness and adaptation

Keep Climate change on thematic strategies for policy analysis

Build capacities in CPs on DRR and CC to create an environment to mainstream DRR and CCA in CPs

Molding designs of PVA tools to assess climate change impact

Developing understanding of the impact of CC on communities and linking it with technical/scientific knowledge

Building capacities of the communities through awareness and training programmes

Advocate integrating CC in DRR School programmes and the Education thematic works of AA.

Integrating CC in all thematic works of ActionAid

Developing IEC materials

Ensuring the voices of people are heard at national level CC discourses

Engaging with the key policy makers at various

levels: Enhance the awareness level of

practitioners on DRR

Constant dialogue and discourse with the

community to develop better understanding

from community’s perspective

Unconscious awareness to conscious awareness

stage: Community

Time dimension into PVA keeping CCA into

mind: traditional + Scientific knowledge

CC Education through schools Capacity building of the local governance systems

Developing monitoring indicators of DRR and CCA in ActionAid

HFA Audit

Group work: Ideas on how to integrate CC work into ongoing DRR work

Group work: Ideas on how to integrate CC work into ongoing CPs

See where we stand in terms of integrating DRR and climate change with country programs

Address CCA and DRR in MOU with partners, ensure that CCA is mentioned across all thematic functions

Build more capacity within country programs and mainstream CC work within country program

Identify DRR and CC indicators from Action Aid’s monitoring and evaluation system.

Capacity building of own staff, partner staff and community leaders on climate change issues, build institutional awareness on climate change

Map timeline within the country program strategy also, integrate DRR into other thematic areas

Find ways of linking climate change and DRR, as related policies are linked to HFA and UNFCCC Taking knowledge from environmentalist, and experts to incorporate with community works


Harjeet dictated some policy areas that DRR and DIEPCHO can focus on, supplementing previous presentation made by Megh. He focused on taking two key things; a) local level planning and policy making and b) strong local governance. He addressed that local level must need to do on policy, for this the community has to be empowered, participate and negotiate themselves in local level planning. There must be reflection of poor people in policy making processes and right institutional mechanism to enhance resilience to vulnerable people to disaster and climate change impacts must be developed at national level. He further added that at international level, right use of the funding for the poor community is necessary and strong pressure groups are necessary for accountable governments and donors.

Suggestions from the Meet - Integrating CC into DRR immediately

The foremost thing to do is to make issues related to climate change into the consciousness of the vulnerable community, allowing them to plan for future uncertainties

Bring in climate change discussions into the PVA process, utilizing tools like seasonality chart to make people aware of the changing climate patterns and associated uncertainties

Bring in element of climate change awareness into the regular DRR awareness initiatives

Draw the experiences of people, document them and insist on people’s voices to be weighed at highest levels of policy making

Session 8, Key Learning Session: 30 October 2009, 90 minutes Critical engagements between CPs on DRR Session Facilitators: Rohitha Rajendra, DIPECHO Manager, AA Vietnam

It was agreed that this meeting provided opportunity to work and learn together on various issues and there is tremendous potential for country level engagements within and across regions. Rajendra summarized the key learning so far, which included identification of replicable good practices, understanding of DRR policy framework and scope for deepening and widening our policy work, initiatives for multi country programs on DRR and integration of climate change work into ongoing DRR initiatives. This was done through a group work, seeking ideas on how country programs can work together in bilateral and multilateral ways to strengthen collective mission.


Suggestions:

Standardize IEC materials across the region, with options for contextualization

Ensure increased and efficient sharing of information between CPs, particularly within the region

Encourage higher critical engagements between DIPECHO/DRR projects in the region

Keep IECT advisors in the loop as an integral part of the communication channel

Develop capacities of country staff, project staff and communication team

Take community facilitators/leaders/ frontline workers in the policy dialogues on climate change and DRR

Suggestion:

Share the periodic update and reports within IECT team including reports to the DRRSP Manager, IECT communication (Airlie), IECT Advisors (Paras, Harjeet), DRRSP Policy Advisor (Megh) and the DIPECHO/DRR Managers (DIPECHO).

Upload the DIPECHO/DRR project learning documents resource materials in ActionAid main web sites/hive; involve communication people on building good case studies/write ups (DIPECHO).

Include/expand emergency roster of experts to include DIPECHO team members, the team to find out from their own CPs on this

Session 9, Key Planning Session: 30 October 2009, 60 minutes Overcoming challenges, irritants to DIPECHO/DRR projects Session Facilitators: Alolysius James, DIPECHO Manager, AA Cambodia

The last session of the three days meet was about the troubleshooting session which focused on overcoming obstacles/irritants and recommendations. Aloy, facilitator for this session, proposed discussion on two accounts –

organizational (representing DRR among the senior management team and engagement)

Human resource (Retention of team, human resource development, recruitment time gaps and gaps hr-pay rolls).

Three different groups discussed issues related to the following:

Human Resources

Capacity Building

Programmatic Integration

What lies ahead for IECT

creative ideas and opportunities to strengthen overall DRR work within AAI.

The following is the summary of the group presentations:

Human Resources Issues Retaining DIPECHO team, particularly local team members: With DIPECHO becoming more institutional with repeated contracts over the years, the 3-4 months gap from one project to


another, results in good team members with considerable experience and skills joining elsewhere is an issue. CPs should strategise to retain DIPECHO team members and poritively capitalize their skills and experience to enhance DRR work in countries. Building capacities and skills of DIPECHO staff: DIPECHO is considered a project and not a core program, country programs do not invest in the capacity enhancement of the project staff. Whereas DIPECHO project team members are expected to deliver, ensure highest quality results and often work under pressure to deliver without capacity development opportunities. AAI should ensure that DIPECHO team members are also a part of the organizational capacity building measure. Project Team vs. Core Team: In most of AA CPs, project teams are considered separate from core teams and are not often included in the organizational discourses due to their short term ‘project’ nature. Uniformity is required in this case as some CPs compensated project staff more than core staff due to their short term nature and special skill they bring and some CP’s don’t. This needs review and uniformity is desired for project staff to be integrated to the core function of AAI CPs as an overall AA team. Retaining Talents: AAI should consider engaging the professional staff of DIPECHO/DRRS projects by providing them professional opportunities during lean period. Usually, there is a 3-4 month gap between the new and old project cycle and AAI should ensure that DIPECHO managers with proven skills and competence are utilized within the organization. Suggestions for possible involvement could be in project assessments, proposal and report writing, conducting training events etc. This will lead to retention of the available professional talents within the organization.

Institutional Issues Utilizing Professional Expertise: DIPECHO managers come with diverse skills, knowledge, expertise and experience but CP’s hardly utilize it though the managers are willing to contribute. It would be beneficial for CP’s to utilize the expertise of the managers despite their short term positions. Contributing to Strategic Management: DIPECHO managers are seldom a part of the senior management team in country programs despite their maturity, experience and expertise. As an integral part of AA staff member, DIPECHO managers, will be able to contribute meaningfully in SMTs as a professional brining in internal / external perspectives and analysis. DIPECHO Managers in IECT Network: DIPECHO managers are not yet a part of wider IECT network and thus are not in the information sharing loop. IECT should provide scope and opportunities to DIPECHO managers in relevant communication and information sharing systems.


Role Clarity among Advisors: Field managers are often in a spot with often conflicting and confusing mails on the roles of IECT / DRRS advisors. IECT should ensure clarity of roles in this case. It is also suggested that IECT designate a particular person with particular project/plan/program, to ensure that there is uniformity in communication and strategic involvement with the donor. Use in-house resources: With so much expertise available in DRRS/DIPECHO team IECT could utilize this resource rather than hiring external consultants. This could reduce costs while providing opportunity for team members of DRR projects.

Programmatic Issues Integrating Projects within Programs: While AA as a whole has been strengthening integration of projects as key program components, there is scope to make projects strategic in nature than funding opportunities alone. Projects should in fact contribute to and strengthen the core development inputs by AAI, ensuring that outcome of the projects contribute to overall development impact in the area. This will also require more concerted effort by AAI management and the respective CPs, including investment in building project management capacities of the organization and team members. In this aspect, DIPECHO/DRR projects with their strong and proven credentials as efficient managers could be utilized to develop the necessary skill and capacity for the CPs to build their own project management portfolio. Integrating DRR into the development plans: It has become increasingly evident that DRR is not just an option but viable solutions to protect longer terms investments. Country programs should use DRR as insurance to the development plans and investments. DIPECHO and DRRS project can play a vital role in helping the country programs to integrate DRR into their core development initiatives. Need for Human Security Focal Point: With DRR becoming a prominent initiative in most of the CPs in Asia, CPs have not yet given impetus to build adequate human resources to deal with human security issues and some CPs do not have HS focal point too. The team urges AAI to ensure that all CPs have dedicated HS focal point to streamline and integrate HS and DRR initiatives into the longer term perspective of AA CPs.

Ideas for Future IECT Consultants: With a large number of top professionals with varied expertise and experience, why not develop a crack team of professional consultants within IECT, offering services to other organizations. This increases our overall reach, visibility and will surely generate some income too. DRR as the central AAI theme: IECT should focus itself to promote DRR as the central theme around which other themes function. Risk Reduction makes business sense and is understood to act as an insurance to protect long term development investment. Thus, DRR should be central to all other initiatives of AAN. IECT should engage in internal advocacy with the board to make DRR the central theme


IECT USP is DRR in development: Oxfam for public health and hygiene, UNICEF for WATSAN, SCF for Child Rights, CARE for food and nutrition Why not develop IECT USP in DRR, offering our expertise, models and plans for worldwide replication, engage in advocacy with governments and donors. Session 10, Closing Session: 30 October 2009, 60 minutes Session Facilitators: PV Krishnan, DIPECHO Manager, AA Nepal

The final session started with Krishnan doing a quick recap of the key outcomes of the three day workshop. He noted that it has been a remarkable three days, with high level of energies among participants that led to analytical inputs, key decisions, strategic directions and relevant suggestions to take the DRR mission forward. He underlined the key outcomes as follows:

a) identification of global replication models in DRR work b) clear guidelines towards regional proposals in South Asia and South East Asia, c) clear understanding of policy engagements by the team members, ensuring voices of

people are reaching the highest policy making bodies at every level, d) understanding of Climate Change issues, its relation to DRR and immediate

integration of climate change adaptation to ongoing DRR work in CPs, e) Key considerations towards country level engagements and cooperation in DRR, and f) Key suggestions to find solutions to some of the issues that are considered irritants

to DRR projects like DIPECHO

John Abuya remarked that this meeting has been a very good effort, to bring together DRR professionals as well as key IECT members. He expressed satisfaction and underlined the need to bring in climate change component into the DRR work. We cannot afford to neglect or feign ignorance over this anymore. It is not only imperative for us to take forward CCA through our DRR work, it also makes sense because there is lots of opportunities to engage ourselves in CC related work.

He concluded his remarks by wishing all the best to the participants in their ensuing work and programs. Bijay Kumar, International Thematic Head for Human Security, during his address to the participants, thanked the organizers and IECT team to invite him to this purposeful meet, which he found very productive and useful to IECT in particular and AAI in general. He expressed high level of satisfaction over the outcome of the meetings and congratulated all the team members for doing exceptional work with the communities. Bijay used this unique opportunity stress three aspects on the DRR theme, which forms the core of ActionAid thinking. Bijay talked about three things, critical to any DRR/human security work worldwide. He stressed on:


the need to balance people-political and techno-managerial solutions to humanitarian and DRR issues: All crises and its impact on poor has a high level of political dimension and AAI work at various levels to understand this aspect and take up political discourse on DRR

the need to link climate change with DRR: Our direct work with the community gives us the legitimacy to take their issues to worldwide forums. We should thus realize our strengths and go for negotiations armed with people’s perspective ground realties.

the issue of governance as a key ingredient of risk reduction: DRR can become effective and can reduce risks only if the governance is just, equitable, accountable, transparent and efficient. This means that DRR work cannot be a stand alone entity. It should be an integral and core component of all our thematic works including education, food security and governance.

Touching upon some of the key issues raised during this meet, Bijay assured the participants to do whatever possible to address all the concerns, both within the organization as well as with other stakeholders wherever necessary. Following Bijay was Paras, who was invited to offer vote of thanks and close the three day workshop. Paras expressed his gra titude to the participants for taking time off to participate and contribute handsomely to this wonderful meet that obviously achieved its planned objective and exceeded anticipated outcomes. He profusely acknowledged and appreciated the DIPECHO Nepal team and the senior management of AAN for ensuring high level of professional efficiency in organizing this meet, including providing all logistics and administration support to participants from other countries. He wished a fruitful travel to the field for people who are proceeding to planned field visit. With his closing remarks, the three days eventful and remarkable workshop came to an end.


Evaluation of DIPECHO/DRR Managers Meet The organizing team from AAN conducted evaluation of the three days team, including daily feedback forms and end-of-event evaluation with an aim of understanding participants perception on the content and organization as well as to find scope for improving similar events of future. The findings from the evaluation are given below in a nutshell: Evaluation was done on a 5-point scale, where 5 denoted excellent and 1 denoted poor. The scores given are the average taken from all the participants, 18 respondents on Day 1 and 12 on Day 2 and 3.

Evaluation Criteria/Sessions I.

Le

sso

ns

& G

oo

d

Pra

ctic

es

II. D

RR

Po

licy

Fram

ew

ork

III.

Re

gio

nal

DR

R

init

iati

ves

pla

nn

ing

IV. I

nte

grat

ing

CC

A in

to D

RR

wo

rk

V. D

RR

Enga

gem

en

ts

be

twe

en

CP

s

VI.

Ove

rall

Session structure 3.6 3.4 3.1 3.3 3.6 3.4

Achievement of Objective 3.4 2.9 3.9 3.5 3.8 3.5

Relevance of topic 3.7 3.6 3.8 3.7 3.9 3.8

Facilitation of session 3.8 3.4 3.9 3.8 3.8 3.8

Appropriateness of contents 3.5 3.4 3.8 3.6 3.8 3.6

Time allotted 3.0 2.6 3.4 3.5 3.8 3.5

Participation/group work 3.8 3.2 3.7 3.7 3.6 3.6

Did the workshop meet the set objective 3.8

Was the investment to attend this workshop justified 3.8

Are similar learning and dialogues required for future 3.9

Did the issues and concerns come out for discussion and were addressed 3.8

Administration, logistics, food, refreshments etc. 4.0

What did you like MOST in this meet?

It gave an opportunity to meet DIPECHO/DRR people

Cross learning that happened between the team members

Professional approach to organize meet and achieve set objectives

Sharing of experiences, specifically the good practices we identified or replication (3)

Participation of senior leaders in the meet

Quality of overall discussion and debates

All sessions were very useful, wonderfully done… open session after each session was good

Panel discussion on CCA and DRR

Ajaya Dixit Presentation during Panel Discussion

The way we came out with Action Plans and decisions


What did you like LEAST in this meet?

Time management…

Discussions tended to drag because of one person who came out with topics which were not a part of that session and taking away too much time

DRR/CCA policy framework session

What are your suggestions for next meeting? Comments are welcome…

Make the meet twice in a year

Make materials and documents ready, in hardcopy in advance

More time to be given for experience sharing, invite AAI senior management and ECHO

DIPECHO PMs should meet once in a quarter

Include a session on socio-economic and political analysis, forte of AAI

Make the meet for 4-days, more relaxing…

Overall, the workshop was perceived to be a huge success. The workshop achieved its set objectives and outcomes were more than encouraging to move into the next level of DRR discourse within AAI/IECT.


ASIA DIPECHO/DRR MANAGERS MEET 28 Oct – 30 Oct 2009, Nepal

AGENDA & SCHEDULE

Day I Wednesday, 28 Oct 2009

Day II Thursday, 29 Oct 2009

Day III Friday, 30 Oct 2009

0830 hrs to 1030 hrs

Welcome, Introduction of participants, Introduction to the Meet, Address by AAN CD, AAN Overview, IECT Asia Overview, Ground rules

Recap, Day II objectives Regional DIPECHO – Deliberations Key Planning Session I

Recap, Day III Objectives Integrating Climate Change into DIPECHO/DRR initiatives Key Planning Session II

Refreshment break


Innovations and Good Practice – Country-wise presentations Key Learning Session I

Regional DIPECHO – Deliberations

Working together, critical engagements between CPs Key Learning Session V

Lunch


Lessons from programs and process – What worked well? What did not? Key Learning Session II

Regional DIPECHO – Final plans and road map

Overcoming obstacles and irritants, Recommendations for future Key Planning Session III

Refreshment Break


DRR Policy Framework – Critical engagements at country, region and international level Key Learning Session III

Panel Discussion on Climate Change Adaptation and DRR Key Learning Session IV

Overall recap Address by Head of IECT Concluding remarks


Recap of the Day


ASIA DIPECHO/DRR MANAGERS MEET 28 Oct – 30 Oct 2009, Nepal

PARTICIPANTS' LIST

SN Name

Designation Office Name & Address Email Photographs

1 ADRIANO B. NAVA, JR. DIPECHO Project Manager

ActionAid International House No. 705, Taimani, Street 9, Kabul, Afghanistan

[email protected]

2 ALOYSIUS JAMES DIPECHO Project Manager

ActionAid Cambodia, #69, Street 242, Sangkat Chaktomuk, P O Box 66, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia 12200

[email protected]

3 CLAUDIA AMARAL DRR TA

Regional Support Office South Asia, ECHO C384 Defense Colony, New Delhi, India

[email protected]

4 HARJEET SINGH Emergencies and Conflict Advisor – Asia and Americas

International Emergencies and Conflict Team (IECT) E-88, Saket, New Delhi-110 017, India

[email protected]

5 MEGH RANJANI RAI DRR Policy Adviser( DRR and DIPECHO PROJECTS)

International Emergencies and Conflict Team (IECT) E-88, Saket, New Delhi-110 017, India

[email protected]

6 GOHAIN MRINAL Regional Manager

ActionAid India, R-7, Hauz Khas Enclave, New Delhi-110 016

[email protected]

8 WELIHINDAGE RAJINDRA ROHITHA DIPECHO Project Manager

ActionAid Vietnam, Room No. 502A, HEAC Building, 14-16, Ham Long Street, Hanoi, Vietnam

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]







9 RUNGTIP IMRUNGRUANG Program Officer

60/1, Monririn Building Tower A, 2

nd Floor, Unit

A201, Soi Phaholyothin Rd., Samsennai, Phyathai, Bangkok 10400

[email protected]

10 SHAKEB NABI DIPECHO Project Manager

House CES (E) 19 Road 128 Gulshan 1 Dhaka 1212 Bangladesh

[email protected]; [email protected]

11 Ashagbam Swapan Kumar Singha Program Officer

ActionAid Regional office, Guwahati, Assam, India

[email protected]

12 PARAS MANI TAMANG IECT Asia Advisor

House CES (E) 19 Road 128 Gulshan 1 Dhaka 1212 Bangladesh

[email protected]

13 JOHN ABUYA International Project Manager (DRRS project)

ActionAid Kenya [email protected]

14 KHEMRAJ UPADHYAYA

Program Head ActionAid Nepal, P.O.Box No. 6252, Lazimpat, Kathmandu Nepal

[email protected]

15 NAHAKUL THAPA National Coordinator (DRRS Project)

ActionAid Nepal, P.O.Box No. 6252, Lazimpat, Kathmandu Nepal

[email protected]; [email protected]

16 PV KRISHNAN DIPECHO Project Manager


[email protected]

17 SHYAM SUNDARY JNAVALY DIPECHO Asst. Project Manager


[email protected]






18 ASHOK RAJ POKHAREL DIPECHO Project Officer


[email protected]

19 PRATIMA SHRESTHA DIPECHO Project Officer


[email protected]

20 SHAURABH SHARMA DIPECHO Finance & Admin Officer


[email protected]

