Singapore-UNISDR Joint Programme for Disaster Risk Reduction

Course Objectives

This course shares Singapore’s experiences in disaster risk reduction and the government approach in formulating adaptation measures and building resilience in the community. The focus would not be just on theory but also on institutional development and capacity building to implement plans. The course would also cover Singapore’s policies and implementation systems in sustainable urban planning and development. It will also discuss the principles, strategies and policies in the latest masterplan 2014 and the government’s commitment, plans, targets and projects in the newly-released “Sustainable Singapore Blueprint 2015” and the government efforts in strengthening governance and building capacity.

Participants will also learn about the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and possible applications to their State's existing plans. UNISDR will provide globally accepted tools and help the participants become familiar with the tools, use them and develop draft action plans for integrating DRR and CCA into development policies. UNISDR will bring global best practices and encourage sharing of experiences amongst the participants as well.

Synopsis and Methodology

The topics to be covered include:

• Vulnerability assessment through economic risk analysis, catastrophe assessment and finance management.
• Setting up early warning systems to avoid or reduce risks.
• Building public health resilience through pandemic preparedness.
• Formulating emergency management plans, evacuation planning & training and implementation.
• Essential and emergency operations.
• Working with public and private stakeholders and strengthening policy and decision-making processes.
• Climate change adaptation and mitigation measures.
• Sustainable urban planning and development.
• Strengthening governance and building capacity.
• Integration of DRR and climate change adaptation to development policy. Key sectors covered will include infrastructure, housing, land use planning, environmental protection, gender issues, psychosocial issues, health, livelihoods, to name a few.