On 3 October 2019, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, in collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), co-organised an information event, in the form of a panel discussion, on “Building Disaster Resilience in Asia-Pacific: the ESCAP Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Tsunami, Disaster and Climate Preparedness in Indian Ocean and Southeast Asian Countries” at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangkok. The event was attended by approximately 50 representatives from the diplomatic corps, United Nations agencies, international development partners and project implementing partners.

 

Following the opening remarks by Mr. Rongvudhi Virabutr, Deputy Director-General, Department of International Organisations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and Ms. Tiziana Bonapace, Director of ICT and Disaster Risk Reduction Division, ESCAP, the participants had the opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas with the panelists on the situation and various initiatives on disaster management. The meeting viewed that the ESCAP Multi-Donor Trust Fund is an important tool in enhancing multi-hazard early warning systems and resilience building in the region. Contributions to the Fund would, therefore, constitute a cost-effective investment which paves the way for sustainable development.

 

The ESCAP Multi-Donor Trust Fund was founded in 2005 after the Indian Ocean Tsunami that ravaged many countries around the Indian Ocean Rim, including Thailand. After the initial contribution of 10 million USD from the Royal Thai Government, the Fund has continued to receive support from various countries, namely Sweden, Nepal, Turkey, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Germany, Japan, India and the Netherlands. The Fund aims to build and enhance early warning systems and to narrow the capacity gaps in disaster management of countries in Asia and the Pacific. Since its inception, the Fund has supported 29 projects with a budget of more than 16 million USD, benefitting more than 20 countries in the region.