The South-South knowledge and learning facility established through Asian Preparedness Partnership (APP) provides an exceptional opportunity to document, learn and build on the expertise available in the region. APP project countries represent years of experience and knowledge gained through managing medium and large-scale disasters. One of the key focus activities to promote cross-learning are South-South exchange events. Recognizing the importance of learning from partner countries with improved emergency response infrastructure, the national network of Sri Lanka Preparedness Partnership (SLPP) organised a study tour to Philippines.
As part of the APP network, the visit aims at learning best practices, mechanisms and tools for efficient response, improved planning for coordination and institutional strengthening for supplementing the existing humanitarian response architecture in Sri Lanka. Delegates from Disaster Management Center, National Disaster Relief Services Center, MAS intimates, Center for Humanitarian Affairs (CHA), Janathakshan and Environment and Community Development Information Center, Rathnapura participated in the institutional visit from 25 – 27 June 2018.
Delegates actively participated in dialogue with officials from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Center for Disaster Preparedness (CDP) and Philippines Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) which form the APP network in Philippines.
The 3-day visit focused on understanding national and local government policies, guidelines and standing order procedures for emergency operations at the national and provincial level. Representatives from PDRF provided an overview of the first private-sector led Emergency Operation Center in Clark and the initiatives taken so far. On the final day, CDP presented the community organization structure and various community-level initiatives undertaken by them. The visit concluded at the Buklad Tao community centre to explore community engagement processes in disaster preparedness.
