THE Asian Preparedness Partnership (APP) was established as a pilot project in Asia Region with the participation and cooperation of national governments, private businesses and civil society organizations from Cambodia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka.
Myanmar hosted its first meeting of APP, the 5th Regional Meeting, in Novotel Yangon Max Hotel on 2 December morning. Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye attended the event and gave an opening address.
In his opening address the Union Minister said APP was formed and implemented with an aim to increase the cooperation momentum between the region’s and the countries’ government departments, private sector and civil society organizations. In Myanmar, these three entities traditionally cooperated when facing natural disasters but cooperation with APP was established to strengthen and systematically establish a society that can resist natural disaster in Asia region through the cooperative force. Myanmar’s natural disaster management policy involves private sector and civil society organizations as well as local and international organizations cooperation to achieve better socio-economic lives to affected people and establish a society that can withstand natural disaster. Increasing partnership cooperation was one of the global targets of the Sendai Framework of substantially reducing the possibility of damages and losses from natural disaster. Forming of Myanmar Preparedness Partnership (MPP) in February 2018 was a milestone on disaster management reached through the cooperation with APP. MPP was formed with regional governments, private sectors and civil society organizations that provided cooperation from the front line when the State encounters natural disaster. The roles and supports of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USAID and Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) were recognized and thanked for their assistance and support in establishing APP and MPP. At the National level, Vice President led National Disaster Management Committee was formed and forming MP would reinforce the state/region disaster management work process. Similarly,
Disaster Risk Reduction (MAPDRR) 2017 was implemented in connection with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Sendai Framework, Climate Change Paris Agreement and Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan. It was believed that through cooperation of partner organizations, effect of natural disasters at country, region and global level was reduced by strengthening management. This cooperative force will enable the establishment of a climate change and natural disaster resistant society and implement preparation against natural disaster and to conduct reconstruction works said the Union Minister.
Next Dr Valerie Bemo of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and APDC Executive Director Mr Hans Guttman addresses the event.
In the second part of the event, APP Steering Committee meeting was held.
The 5th Regional Meeting of APP was attended by Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, Deputy Minster, Disaster Management Department Director General and officials, APP members from Cambodia, Nepal, the Philippines and Sri Lanka, representatives from BMGF and ADPC totalling 60 personnel.
On the second day of the meeting yesterday, implementation of APP Phase II in the coming three years and expected results were discussed and joint chairmanship of APP was transferred to Nepal. —MNA (Translated by Zaw Min)
