After the successful conduct of the Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning (RSLUP) Blended Training Course, Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative (EMI) delivered the RSLUP Blended Training End of Course Report to its project partner, the National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET) on June 17, 2012. The report presents the approach and outcome of the training that span from March 12 to April 29, 2012. It discusses the existing Global Facility for Disaster Risk Reduction (GFDRR) training platform, the training needs assessment, the customizations made, the process and the results of the customized training. The report was submitted as part of the last set of deliverables of the Strengthening RSLUP and Implementation in Nepal Project dubbed as the Kathmandu Valley RSLUP Project and is funded by the United Nations Development Programme-Nepal (UNDP).

The Kathmandu Valley RSLUP Project spearheaded the conduct of the RSLUP online training course with some modifications. Before the conduct of the online course, the NSET and EMI were made aware of the power outages in Kathmandu Valley where all the training participants are located. These disruptions plus the preference of the participants to have a classroom style of learning paved the way for the formulation of a blended mode of training. The blended training, by combining web-based distance learning with real-time lecturing and discussion, reinforced the planners and decision makers of selected institutions in Kathmandu on their knowledge in, understanding of and analysis for a risk sensitive land use planning. This training was facilitated by course coordinators based in Manila, Philippines and a subject matter expert who was available on-line to actively to monitor participants’ involvement in the course and respond to their learning needs.

As part of EMI’s Natural Disaster Risk Management Program (NDRMP), EMI is currently tied up with the World Bank’s GFDRR in conducting web-based or online trainings on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).

Disaster risk reduction is a fast growing field driven by the pressing need for governments and communities to prepare and reduce their exposures to natural and man-made hazards. Competencies are needed to respond to the current gaps in human resources by offering new opportunities to professionals and institutions alike. In the coming weeks, EMI in partnership with the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) is scheduled to deliver the Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Framework (CDRMF) and Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning (RSLUP) course starting August 28.

These courses are under the Natural Disaster Risk Management Program aimed at strengthening the capacities of public and private institutions, as well as international and civil society organizations, in the field of disaster risk reduction and land use planning.  To date, the program has graduated more than 500 participants across 50 countries.

Deadline of Registration is until August 24.

Click HERE to register.

For more information, please contact Mr. Jesus Dominic Dizon, Program Coordinator at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

CDRMF Course Brochure
RSLUP Course Brochure

"This handout photo taken on August 8, 2012 and released by the Department of National Defense (DND) shows an aerial shot of the overflowing Marikina river in suburban Manila. More than a million people in and around the Philippine capital battled deadly floods on August 8, as more monsoon rain fell, with neck-deep waters trapping both slum dwellers and the wealthy on rooftops. AFP PHOTO/DND", as cited in Inquirer News.

The sky just took a dump on Metro Manila, Philippines.

More than a month’s worth of rain fell on the country’s capital and nearby provinces Bulacan, Pampanga and Bataan for a week, rendering most of those affected still reeling from the devastation left in its wake, days after its deluge. 

While half of the city was under water, 250,000 were estimated to have fled their homes Tuesday, August 7, as the torrential rain paralyzed the metro. For over the week, the bad weather promised no respite from the deluge as the torrential rains continued to pound the city and nearby areas. The rain even caused landslides in the north of the city killing nine people.

Classes were suspended while government and private practice were also left at a standstill, as the city’s major thoroughfares were deemed impassable. Thousands were stranded on the roof of their homes, with floodwater slowly easing its way through every street corner. These events have sparked recollections of the calamitous typhoon Ondoy in 2009, which delivered the same kind of devastation to the metro.

While typhoons regularly batter this region due to its geographic location, the southwest monsoon or what is locally called Habagat, usually pose little to no threat. Tuesday, however, was strangely peculiar, as torrential rains brought 687 millimeters of rain in the first 48 hours alone. The normal amount of rainfall for August is usually at around 300-400 millimeters.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management council (NDRMMC), the death toll has risen to at least 85 casualties, and has left cities scrambling for donations to help the severely affected.

Hospitals were not spared as an estimated P400-M is needed to rehabilitate medical facilities. Government and private practice were crippled as the Palace was forced to announce a suspension encompassing everyone who worked in the metro.

(Sources:· Inquirer News, Relief web, NDRRMC)