Rapid Assessment for Resilient Recovery and ... - GFDRR

sea level rise and increasing rainy variability. To ensure buy-in to a holistic, long-term
solution, a range of stakeholders and considerations will need to be a part of these discussions.
Environmental adaptation, both grass roots and high tech, should be incorporated in
the longer term recovery planning, and cities and communities, civil society and the private
sector will need to be a part of the discussion.
Strengthened DRM Mainstreaming
Medium-term
Different DRM strategies for urban and rural settings Examples from many disasters
show that urban recovery is more complex and time consuming than rural recovery.
Therefore it will be essential to ensure that these differing needs are reflected in the recovery
strategy, and in disaster risk reduction mainstreaming plans. Working with the private
sector and civil society institutions, the BMA and DDPM could develop appropriate DRM
strategies for urban, provincial urban and rural areas.
Strengthen Community Based Disaster Risk Management As stated in the lessons
learnt, the current search and rescue program is effective and now needs to be scaled-up
nation-wide. Experience sharing, exchange visits across cities, villages, sub-districts,
provinces, regions, and neighboring countries to learn on adaptability to climate change
and preventive measures will also enhance the quality of community and citizen-led
initiatives. Learning from the plethora of community-based DRM initiatives and partnering
with community organizations, DDPM and BMA will be able to extend their outreach.
Thailand’s vast community volunteer network could be strengthened through good
practice training, incentives and awards, such as volunteer of the year, and national,
regional and provincial award systems. CBDRM is also a good avenue for promoting
better gender equality, and including the needs of vulnerable populations including
elderly, disabled, women, men and children in disaster risk reduction and disaster recovery
programming.
Mainstream structural and non-structural measures Participatory environmental
impact assessments, evacuation strategies, conflict resolution, and multiple-hazard mapping
are examples of non-structural measures that should be well integrated during
infrastructure recovery and planning processes. Evacuation strategies can be strengthened
by engaging the defense sector to protect communities and homes when people are away
– thereby eliminating the fear of theft as a disincentive to evacuation. Conflict resolution
can help address issues regarding protection of some communities at the expense of
others – as seen in the suburbs of Bangkok – as well as the environmental impacts that
are a consideration with multiple hazards.
“First of all we don’t need to only build more infrastructure, but also provide skills to
empower people for disaster prevention. Mostly we have seen the use of sandbags
as a preventative measure up to one meter high. But when you try to protect your
own territory, you let the water pass through your neighbors’ territory. New initiatives
should focus on empowering provinces on prevention.”
Mr Songchai Rohitachart, Director, Disaster Prevention and Promotion, DDPM
217
217 Meeting with DDPM officials, Bangkok, November 18, 2011
250 THAI FLOOD 2011 RAPID ASSESSMENT FOR RESILIENT RECOVERY AND RECONSTRUCTION PLANNING