Menase Kifle
29 July 2007
Addis Ababa — A handbook containing information on how to reduce disaster risks and other forms of natural and manmade calamities was launched on Thursday at the Hilton Addis in the presence of DPPA Director-General Simon Mechale.
The handbook was launched by the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) in collaboration with Save the Children USA, Care, Catholic Relief Services, International Rescue Committee, Mercy Corps, Oxfam-GB and world vision of the inter agency working group on emergency capacity building (ECB).
After the launch, Simon Mechale expressed appreciation for IIRR, IAG, On behalf of the DPPA and the government and expressed that the book was of a vital importance and that this was the right time as the country was going from disaster management to disaster risk reduction. Simon noted the book will be of much help refine existing humanitarian activities in the disaster-prone country.
The handbook provides guidance on how to reduce disaster risk using an integrated approach and is said to help to prevent and mitigate impacts of hazard thereby ensuring that hazards do not lead to disasters.
It covers hazards such as drought, floods, HIV/Aids, malaria and conflict and cross cutting issues such as gender mainstreaming, advocacy and good governance and provides an in-depth analysis on major topics and subtopics under discussion.
The international Institute of Rural Reconstruction with the help of its innovative approach known as Write Shop facilitated the documentation of the book preparing project where over 45 researchers, extension specialists, government officials, NGO staff field practitioners worked together, according to organizers.
They said the project also involved artists, editors, and desktop publishing specialists.
This book which focuses on disasters and risks and consequences has already been published for use in Asia, Latin America.
It is hoped that, by studying these disasters and their outcomes, Ethiopian researchers and their partners would come up with a more productive and ably facilitated disaster risk management system.
According to organizers of the launching ceremony, the production of the book was funded by the Risk Reduction Initiative of the ECB project under the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
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