Sister Cities Disaster Preparedness Initiative
The Asia Pacific is home to millions of people in vibrant cities that drive their nation’s economies. Providing effective disaster preparedness, management, and response capabilities for these cities is critical to public safety as well as to political and economic stability. PWA developed the Sister Cities Initiative in response to the pivotal role of cities in disaster preparedness and response. Using the international sister cities network, this program enhances disaster management at the city level by building capacities and integrating the various emergency responders, especially the private sector.
Sister Cities Initiative Is Expanding to Vietnam in 2011-2012
Peace Winds America is expanding the 2011 Sister Cities Initiative to Vietnam. The City of San Francisco Department of Emergency Management, the City of Seattle Office of Emergency Management, and PWA will initiate the Sister Cities Initiative in partnership with the Asian Disaster Reduction Center (Kobe) and Sister Cities International. Disaster managers from the respective sister cities of Ho Chi Minh and Hai Phong, as well as national authorities from Hanoi, are invited to participate.
The Initiative focuses on public-private partnerships that help cities manage and recover from natural disasters. Through a series of disaster preparedness forums held in Vietnam and the U.S., the sister cities of San Francisco – Ho Chi Minh and Seattle – Hai Phong will work together to improve collaborative disaster planning, disaster risk reduction and response in their respective cities. The program will bring officials and disaster managers from these cities together with national authorities and ministries, businesses, NGOs, and community groups to strengthen collaboration, coordination and urban resilience at the municipal level. Disaster managers from Vietnam will be able to meet with their U.S. counterparts, and vice versa, to exchange ideas and engage in cross-cultural dialogue that promotes innovative thinking and creative solutions in the field of disaster management.
In late 2011 Peace Winds America, together with senior city disaster managers from San Francisco / Seattle and private sector partners, will conduct a needs assessment in Vietnam with senior disaster managers from Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong, as well as national authorities in Hanoi. At the needs assessment, public and private sector participants will exchange information and set the agenda for subsequent phases. Based on the assessments, the Sister Cities Initiative will continue in 2012 with a series of forums, technical workshops and meetings held in Vietnam and the U.S. The Initiative will conclude with the publication and dissemination of reports and findings.
2010 Japan – U.S. Sister Cities Natural Disaster
Preparedness and Response Exchange
Peace Winds America (PWA) and the Seattle Office of Emergency Management (SOME) inaugurated the Sister Cities Program with the Japan – U.S. Sister Cities Natural Disaster Preparedness and Response Exchange held September 15 – 17 at the Seattle Emergency Operations Center. The event hosted nearly 100 participants from the public, private and NGOs in Japan and the U.S. Focused on the sister cities of Seattle – Kobe, San Francisco – Osaka, and Honolulu – Hiroshima, this inaugural event conducted 17 sessions that explored a variety of topics critical to natural disaster planning and response. Topics included: Earthquakes, Flooding, Pandemic Diseases, Governmental Coordination, Military Involvement, Public Messaging, and Private – Public Partnerships.
The Exchange represents the first step towards better disaster preparedness and response in cities throughout the Asia Pacific. Participants have valuable emergency management experience and preparedness methods to share with each other. By demonstrating their willingness to continually learn and improve disaster preparedness and response methods, participants are performing a valuable service to their citizens while distinguishing their cities and organizations as national and international leaders in the field. Collaboration and coordination within and between governments, NGOs and the private sector were continuously highlighted as the key to effective disaster management. The Exchange helped to build and strengthen these relationships, as well as initiated an international network of disaster management professionals dedicated to providing the best disaster planning and relief to their communities. With Japan and the U.S. forming the foundation for this network, PWA and the Sister Cities Program will expand this network throughout the Asia Pacific.
Click on Conference Proceedings to view PWA’s publication from the 2010 Japan – U.S. Sister Cities Natural Disaster Preparedness and Response Exchange.
For more information please contact Patrick Schmitt at schmitt@peacewindsamerica.org.
Sponsorship OpportunityPeace Winds America is announcing an exciting private sector sponsorship opportunity |
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2010 Sponsors
