At the April 2000 GDIN Conference in Ankara a presentation was provided by representatives from the Asia-Pacific region on developments occurring in disaster information management. The representatives agreed to meet again in Canberra in August 2000 to explore opportunities for future collaboration and to consider wider engagement with other countries and organisations within the region. This occurred from 16 to 18 August. The meeting was recognised by GDIN as a Regional Working Group.

Representatives attended from: the Administrative Center for China's Agenda 21, China; the Asian Disaster Reduction Center, Kobe; the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, Bangkok; Ministry of Emergency Management, New Zealand; South Pacific Geoscience Commission, Suva; Pacific Disaster Center, Hawaii; Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Affairs, Hawaii; Australian Geological Survey Organisation and Emergency Management Australia, Canberra.

Briefings were provided on the activities by each organisation and their particular focus on information management. Additionally, a presentation was provided by the Australian Centre of Remote Sensing on the Australian-New Zealand approach to setting standards and the availability of remote sensing data. Following the presentations and discussions, the delegates considered issues relating to 'Why, Who, How', that is 'why' we should meet, 'who' should participate and 'how' should activities be progressed.

Delegates recognised that there were definite benefits in Asia-Pacific interaction in relation to disaster information management. They also acknowledged that there was a need to include other regional countries and organisations in future meetings. Attendance by agencies was not necessarily seen as being a national commitment. A loose organisational structure was envisaged based on regional collaboration using facilitation, rather than providing direction on standards and development of a regional network.

Delegates approved the following approach to the future development of the Working Group:

The aim of the Asia-Pacific Regional Working Group of GDIN is to improve the range of products and information available to emergency managers from international resources. We will do this by:
• Increasing awareness of existing disaster information management capabilities and activities
• Fostering development of national and other disaster information networks
• Facilitating collaboration on projects of mutual benefit
• Promoting sharing of information for disaster management.

Membership of the Working Group is open to participants of GDIN and any other interested countries, and public and private organisations.

The following eight activities are being undertaken by the Working Group with the first four being the highest priority:

1. Simulation exercise
   Using a seminar/game exercise format and a complex Asia-Pacific disaster scenario, explore how to identify, coordinate and apply the information capabilities available within the Asia-Pacific region to enhance information support to emergency management decision making in planning preparation and response. The exercise will be developed as outlined at Attachment 5 and conducted at the 2001 Asia-Pacific Working Group meeting. The exercise development web site will be available through www.pdc.org.
2. Survey of existing DMIS/DIN capacities and resources
   Develop a matix which identifies the types of information which exist in relation to capacities and resources of DMIS/DIN so as to enable simple and easy access to information. This will provide a comprehensive view of information sources, and assist to avoid duplication and foster cooperation.
3. Planning next Working Group meeting
   Undertake detailed planning for an Asia-Pacific Regional Working Group meeting to be held in the period August-October 2001.
4. Donor funding
   Initiate a concept paper to be developed into a project design document to be sent to multiple potential donors to seek support for:
   • Development of national disaster management information systems
   • Fostering cooperation
   • Funding pilot projects.
5. Historical events database
   Survey existing historical events databases to identify gaps, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. This project does not aim to duplicate existing international databases, but will develop a plan for collection of relevant data in cooperation with Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) and other suitable databases compilers. It is envisaged that entry to information will be via a simple matrix listing countries and types of information available.
6. Lessons learnt database
   Build a repository of key lessons learnt by various disaster management and humanitarian organisations in various disaster/emergencies around the world. The goal is to make these experiences available to the disaster management community to help plan better disaster response mechanisms and to prevent and learn from past mistakes. The database in turn could also be useful for the education/training community to design effective programs.
7. Predictive cyclone climatology for the Pacific
   Assess the progress of research, modelling and application of tropical cyclone climatology in order to manage risk from cyclone hazards in the developed areas of the Pacific. Specific activities envisaged are:
   • Identify the participants in the field
   • Identify the capability of these organisations
   • Assess the geographic areas covered
   • Evaluate the information available
   • Evaluate the methods used
   • Identify the means of moving from regional climatology to local risk-prediction management.
8. Post-disaster assessment
   Design collection tools and instruments for rapid data collection and assessment from the field, both pre- and post-disaster/emergencies. The project will also involve conducting a survey of existing capabilities.

A number of delegates are attending the GDIN Information Technology Exposition and Conference in Hawaii in October and will use that opportunity to develop the approach to the simulation exercise. It was also agreed to hold a meeting of the Working Group on 20 March 2001 immediately before the next GDIN Conference in Canberra.

The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center offered to host the next meeting of the Working Group in Bangkok in about one year.