Emergency Preparedness in Asia Pacific Plenary Session
Moderator and Panelist : Merrick Chatfield, Disaster Risk Management Adviser, National Disaster Management Office
Topic: “Manage Disaster Risk or Get Ready to Respond – Is there a Choice?”

March 29, 15.55 – 17.15

Abstract:
A large amount of literature has been produced on the concept, and need for, disaster risk management. Recent experience suggests, however, that governments and organisations are placing more emphasis on ensuring an ability to respond to emergency events, rather than on overall risk management and risk reduction.

The presentation will provide a perspective on the use of disaster risk management tools to achieve reductions in the impact of potential disaster events. The wisdom of undertaking proactive disaster risk management, which has a focus on risk reduction, will be weighed against the pragmatic view that improved disaster response is more affordable and more achievable. A discussion of resource implications will be included, and the likely benefits of both approaches to governments, organisations and communities will be discussed. Suggestions will be offered on the need to consider what is likely to drive the process within governments and organisations, and comparisons will be made between some recent major events, including the Asian tsunami, the American hurricanes and the South Asian earthquake. Further examples from Afghanistan, China, Thailand and Turkey will be used to illustrate major points.

In consideration of these issues, the presentation will draw the conclusion that it is essential to undertake both risk reduction and disaster response activities, and that a wider and more informed debate should be generated to guide the relevant decision making. Above all, the key point will be made that these processes should be undertaken as part of the regular business of governments and organisations.

Biography:
Merrick is employed as the Disaster Risk Management Adviser to the National Disaster Management Office and National Disaster Council of the Solomon Islands, under a donor-funded capacity building project. His role is to work with government agencies and stakeholder groups to mainstream the process of risk management and risk reduction into national and provincial government activities, and also to strengthen the resilience of local communities throughout the country. He is also a director of an Australian consulting company which has specialised in risk management for more than a decade.

Merrick was formerly the Director of Training and Education and Team Leader of the Strategic Disaster Risk Management Team at the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) in Bangkok, Thailand. His role was to work with agencies throughout the Asian region to find strategic solutions and improve capacities for managing risks, and for dealing with disasters and crisis events.

Previous to this he worked for the Australian Government in a range of emergency and risk management capacities, including a number of years as Senior Training Officer with Emergency Management Australia (EMA). This position involved the undertaking of a broad range of risk and disaster management activities for organizations in Australia, the South Pacific and in Asia.

Overall, Merrick has worked with a wide range of organizations to establish systems for reducing harm, losses and liabilities through the effective management of risks. He believes multi-agency stakeholder ownership is essential for achieving national disaster risk management effectiveness, and he uses a combination of tools to achieve this goal, including strategic planning meetings, discussion exercises, training courses, participative consultation, collaborative goal-setting and programmed evaluations.