Program for Enhancement of Emergency Response (PEER): A regional training program initiated in 1998 by the U.S. Agency for International Development’s, Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) strengthening disaster response capacities in nine countries in Asia. The PEER program objectives are: Community Action for Disaster Response (CADRE): Enhancing community level first responder capacity in disaster–prone communities in PEER’s nine countries (Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, and the Philippines, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam. Hospital Preparedness for Emergencies (HOPE): Preparing medical facilities and hospitals for multi-hazard, mass casualty disasters in PEER’s nine countries (Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, and the Philippines, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam.

1. Program for Enhancement of Emergency Response (PEER)ENHANCING EMERGENCY RESPONSE CAPACITY IN ASIA SINCE 1998 1

2. PEER Background The Program for Enhancement of Emergency Response (PEER) is a regional program initiated by USAID/OFDA in 1998. The goal is to enhance local and regional disaster preparedness and response capacities of vulnerable countries within the Asia region through institutionalization of sustainable disaster preparedness training programs and emergency response systems. PEER has completed two stages and has commenced PEER 3 in July 2009.

3. Background 3

4. Program Rationale PEER aims to enhance disaster response capacity, reduce mortality, and increase the survival rate of disaster victims in nine Asian countries; Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, India, Lao PDR, Nepal Pakistan, Philippines, and Vietnam. Since its inception in 1998, PEER has laid the foundation for a more developed emergency response system in the participating countries. The significant achievements to date of the program are the development of regional and national cadre of well trained and qualified instructors and institutions implementing PEER and providing training to emergency responders. PEER works to institutionalize disaster preparedness training programs and provide ongoing training to professional and non-professional emergency responders.

5. PEER 3 Program Goal Promote sustainable national capacity building programs to enhance emergency preparedness & response that will contribute in achieving the country’s targets in the Hyogo Framework for Action to build resilience of communities to disasters.

6. PEER Stage 3 Objectives

7. Program Targets 1) To develop current and relevant curriculums and simulation/practical station exercises that develop the core capability and competences of professional and non- professional response personnel in communities and medical facilities in the nine PEER countries 2) To develop training processes to effectively deliver the training program through sustainable training methodology, that incorporates best practice adult learning principles and self-evaluation 3) To establish core groups of instructors who are capable of delivering the training materials, training new instructors nationally, and nationally adapting and revising the training materials and processes in the light of self evaluation and ongoing experiences 4) To develop advocacy and awareness raising initiatives aimed at policy-makers, general public and donor

11. CADRE Targets Develop emergency response training for community-based first responders Enhance basic life-saving skills for the first 24-72 hrs while waiting for professional responders to arrive. Curriculum to include elements of medical first response and light search and rescue. Integrate the communities to the national response system Develop community-based skills in mass casualty management and management of mass-fatalities.

14. CADRE Pilot Communities Selection Criteria High / moderate risk of natural hazards Characteristic population density and other relevant demographics that add to vulnerability of a particular area Low capacity for disaster management e.g. Inadequate preparedness and response mechanisms Few resources/services available to local and national authorities and institutions e.g. limited DM capacity Demonstrated community interest/demonstrated commitment to participation Possible pre-established community-based organizations and/or committees for disaster management or health programming Youth/women and other active civil society groups are present / active and keen to be mobilized.

15. Contents of CADRE Training • Common Hazards and community response group • Securing family and preparing for response • First Aid and Basic Life Support • Incident Command system and Triage • Dead Body Management • Fire Emergencies • Basic Search and Rescue • Water Emergencies • Final Practical exercise

16. AccomplishmentsApril 2009 to present

18. Teaches basic life saving skills that can be applied in day-to-day emergencies

20. Increasing interest from non-PEER countries

21. 161 CADRE instructors and 275 community responders

26. Contents of HOPE Training Disaster types and risk management Disaster epidemiology and patterns of injury Hospital structural components and seismic hazards Principles of disaster medicine, triage and emergency care Creating a Hospital Disaster Plan Emergency department operations Preparing for functional collapse and operational tools Mental health and psychosocial care Hospital disaster management of agencies and media

27. AccomplishmentsPEER 3 -April 2009 to present

29. Modules used to cascade training in hospitals

30. Recognized by WHO and other medical associations as one of the capacity building activities in making hospitals safe from disasters

31. Increasing interest from non-PEER countries - Thailand, Oman, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Myanmar

32. 45 new HOPE instructors

33. 319 hospital staff trained

35. www.adpc.net/peer

36. PEER Photograph Database on Flickr

37. CONTACT US AT…… Website: http://www.adpc.net/peer Email: peer@adpc.net

40. QUESTIONS?