Natural disasters are on the rise worldwide, with 820 events in 2011. Southeast Asia is the world's most vulnerable region, suffering 10% of all casualties worldwide. The Department of Science & Technology and the Asia Pacific Telecommunity convened a gathering of Asia Pacific experts to share best practices. This brief share some highlights.

1. 4th Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Workshop on
Disaster Management/Communications:
Best Practices and Lessons Learned from Other Countries (Part I)
Alejandro P. Melchor III
Smarter Philippines Program Director
Department of Science and Technology
Philippines

2. 4th Asia Pacific Telecommunity Workshop on
Disaster Management/ Communications
Large-scale natural disasters have been occurring more frequently in
the Asia Pacific Region. There is now a widespread awareness of the
importance of ICTs in times of disaster. The Bali Declaration of 2009 led
to an action plan for the beneficial use of ICTs in times of disaster.
The Asia-Pacific Telecommunity, or APT, is the focal organization for ICT
in the Asia Pacific Region. It was founded in 1979 by the United
Nations and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). The
Department of Science and Technology, Philippines co-hosted the
above event with APT on July 23-25, 2013 at the SMX Convention
Center. 50 foreign delegates attended, together with Filipino disaster
management communications practitioners.
Here are some highlights of best practices and lessons learned from
foreign experts, which may be of use to the Philippines.

51. Alejandro P. Melchor III
Smarter Philippines Program Director
Department of Science & Technology
budmelchor@yahoo.com
Alejandro “Bud” Melchor