U.S. Mission to India announces Regional Disaster Management Workshop to Build Resilience in the Indo-Pacific

Deadline: 22 May 2020

The U.S. Consulate General, Public Affairs Section in Chennai (PAS Chennai) is soliciting proposals from legally recognized non-profit, non-governmental organizations that meet U.S. and Indian technical and legal requirements to develop and implement public diplomacy programs.

This funding opportunity seeks to host a workshop for forty (40) disaster management specialists (government officials, NGOs, academics, citizen first responders) from the Indo-Pacific region. Led by U.S., Indian, and regional experts, the workshop will encourage data sharing, dissemination of best practices, more institutional partnerships, and the development of a common “all-hazards” vernacular. Recent alumni of USG exchange programs focused on Disaster Management will be invited as key resource persons.

The project aims to improve Indo-Pacific regional all-hazards management capacity, coordination, and trans border connectivity.

Objectives

Better coordination and communication among disaster management specialists from countries in the Indo Pacific region, as evidenced by participant surveys completed 3 months after conclusion of workshop.
A new framework for regular data sharing, dissemination of best practices, and a common all-hazards vernacular, to be described in a project Final Report.
Application of smart digital technologies throughout the region, including Artificial Intelligence and Big Data techniques, to anticipate and measure the impacts of natural disasters, to be described in a project Final Report.

Deliverables

Conduct a survey to identify existing formal and informal disaster response and management mechanisms and networks among Indo-Pacific nations. The survey will include an assessment of the effectiveness and challenges of such networks.
Based on the survey, recruit forty (40)participants from the Indo-Pacific Region to participate in the proposed workshop.
Convene a two-day intensive disaster management workshop in Chennai led by USG alumni and other experts from the United States, India, and the region.
Enhance and/or develop networks of disaster management professionals who will continue to share best practices and coordinate action in the event of a disaster.
Develop a final report to be shared among key stakeholders in the region that can serve as a manual for all hazardsdisaster preparedness and response.

Funding Information

Maximum Award Amount: $80,000

Project Audience

Forty (40) disaster management experts from the Indo-Pacific region, including government officials, NGOs, academics, media, citizen first responders, medical professionals, relief agency representatives, and other stakeholders. Indian participants to include representatives from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) of the Government of India, U.S. Government exchange program alumni, and State Disaster Management Authorities across the country.

Eligibility Criteria

The following organizations are eligible to apply: