Rapid Assessment for Resilient Recovery and ... - GFDRR

On 25 October, the Cabinet approved a four-phase relief and recovery plan and package
for immediate response, flood assistance, post-crisis rehabilitation and long-term phase.
Relevant ministers also carried out their respective responsibilities on social protection,
sanitation and hygiene, transportation, education and water management, etc.
The government also set up a National Committee to prepare a comprehensive strategy
for the country’s rehabilitation to make Thailand better, safer and stronger. The strategy is
separated into three parallel phases, namely, the 3R’s – Rescue, Restore and Rebuild.
Immediate relief and rescue efforts include receiving donations, distributing relief assistance,
providing medical care and temporary shelters and dispatching support personnel to the
fields.
5.3 Lessons from the 2011 Floods
Evidence-based learning is essential for implementing DRM policies that cater to the
needs of affected people and responsible institutions. Based on findings from field visits
to Nakhon Sawan and Phitsanulok provinces, Bang Phlat district, and meetings with RTG,
public and private institutions, the assessment team captured the following lessons.
Risk assessments for public knowledge Information about hazard and risk is the critical
first step to any comprehensive risk management plan, and community and country-wide
preparedness. In Thailand, however, the flood risk assessment results were not adequately
understood by citizens, who were, therefore, unable to make decisions based on known
risk. The risk assessment institutional environment is partly responsible for the lack
communication and confusion; according to NDPMP, more than ten ministries and organizations
are designated as key implementing agencies for undertaking risk assessments for
floods and landslides.
Risk assessments can require a high-level of scientific and analytical inputs involving
satellite, meteorological and hydrological technologies, and varying models or technologies
may be used for rural and urban areas, and different geo-spatial zones. Simulation
exercises may be useful with various mega-hazard patterns, such as to taking into
consideration cyclones, assuming the worst-case scenario, causing a huge storm surge,
matched with high tide. By exercising multiple hazard simulations, preparedness and
response planning would be enriched. Technical risk assessments can be translated to
user-friendly tools such as hazard maps and simulation outcomes for policy makers,
practitioners and the general public. In conjunction with detailed scientific and technologybased
modeling, community-based risk assessments that mobilize communities with
area-specific knowledge of historic disasters – such as recent flood marks – and an understanding
of the resources available for preparedness and mitigation, can be very effective.
Community-based assessments are also useful forums for awareness raising and building
a sense of ownership of DRM plans amongst residents.
THAI FLOOD 2011 RAPID ASSESSMENT FOR RESILIENT RECOVERY AND RECONSTRUCTION PLANNING
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