The Black Death, Spanish Flu, SARS, Ebola ... In the history of mankind, deadly infections and appalling disasters are inseparable. Science has given us the ability to hunt down the pathogens. However, pathogens – new and old – keep emerging and evolving in every corner of the planet. In today’s highly interconnected world, a single sneeze may set off a global pandemic.
Are you prepared for the next pandemic? How can we prepare for disasters caused by infectious diseases? This e-learning module is about biological disasters, the third in our series of e-learning modules on CBRN emergencies.
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E-learning Platform
We welcome participants from around the world to join our online learning platform
2019
21/03/2019
The free short course “Research Methodology for Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response” (31 May 2019; 1 June; and optional 5 Jun 2019) is organised by the Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care (JCSPHPC), and Collaborating Centre for Oxford University and CUHK for Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response (CCOUC) of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness and Response Institute (HKJCDPRI).
20/03/2019
On 13-15 March, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness and Response Institute (HKJCDPRI) participated in the Fourth Global Summit of Research Institutes for Disaster Risk Reduction (4th GSRIDRR) under the theme of “Increasing the Effectiveness and Relevance of our Institutes”, organised by the Global Alliance of Disaster Research Institutes (GADRI) and held at the Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto University, Japan.
13/03/2019
[This article is only available in Chinese.]
[This article is only available in Chinese.]
香港賽馬會災難防護應變教研中心將推出《初小防災互動教育劇場先導計劃》，以互動劇場的手法提高初小學生對天然或人為災害的認識，及對相關準備和緊急應變的了解。
為此，教研中心現正招募四名演出人員，參與本年度六月至七月的學校巡迴教育劇場..
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E-learning Platform
This page lists all of HKJCDPRI’s or our collaborating partners’ online learning resources, including Certificate-bearing e-Learning modules, webcasts and case studies.
All resources listed here are freely and publicly available. We ask users to use them with respect and credit the authors as appropriate.
You may have to log onto DPRI’s Moodle Platform in order to access some of the materials.
2019
30/04/2019
Recently, I attended the 4th Global Summit of Research Institutes for Disaster Risk Reduction (4th GSRIDRR) in the Disaster Prevention Research Institute, at Kyoto University. And I managed to take away with me a few major learnings from the Summit, which I wish sharing here!
My first learning was about the new scientific challenges to disaster risk reduction and disaster risk management, and there is continuing need to foster uptake of science in government and industries to support implementation – suggestions on what works! I found the organization by Gluckman on the “Five categories of science advice” very comprehensive:
Recently, I attended the 4th Global Summit of Research Institutes for Disaster Risk Reduction (4th GSRIDRR) in the Disaster Prevention Research Institute, at Kyoto University. And I managed to take away with me a few major learnings from the Summit, which I wish sharing here!
My first learning was about the new scientific challenges to disaster risk reduction and disaster risk management, and there is continuing need to foster uptake of science in government and industries to support implementation – suggestions on what works! I found the organization by Gluckman on the “Five categories of science advice” very comprehensive:
“Five Categories of Science Advice” (Gluckman 2016)
In fact, one of the new scientific challenges is how to close the gaps identified between scientist and decision makers.
The second learning was about the need for holistic scientific advice during crises. According to Professor Virginia Murray, Sendai Framework highlighted the need for holistic scientific advice during crises and emergencies; and the key role of individual science advisor is to be that of “knowledge brokerage” during crises. I was stunned by the comprehensive list of knowledge connections presented, and the continuing establishment of institutes, conferences in disaster risk reduction, as well as the passion in learning by students coming from countries where natural hazards are part of life.
The next learning was about the need in synthesis of knowledge. I could not agree anymore with Professor Murray’s concluding thoughts that there is a need in synthesis of knowledge to inform decision makers at local, national, regional and global levels; we have to learn how to face a new era of risks and to jointly enhance our resilience. Knowledge transfer, co-development of solutions, and continuous uptake of innovative solutions are the ingredients of a more resilient society. However, risk awareness, communication, training and education are imminent for stakeholders at all levels, particularly for urban cities which have been in the comfort zone (fortunately!), such as Hong Kong.
In parallel, I learnt about the interests and demand in structured training and certification in emergency planning, management and disaster preparedness. It resonated with the public’s interests in Hong Kong where there have been varieties of non-accredited training programmes in the discipline offered by various community partners. However, these courses could not be inter-linked to create a synthesis of knowledge due to lack of coordination in their curriculum design and implementation. There was a huge challenge for learners to put the fragmented learning outcomes of these courses into practice and actions.
I recalled reading an article on Risk Governance: Application to Urban Challenges (2018). People living in urban environments face multiple risks which range from financial risks, physical risks (natural hazards), technological risks (building structures, infrastructure, hazardous facilities), and social risks (violence, social dissatisfaction).These risks are often inter-linked with each other, hence, need for an integrated governance approach for systemic risks. To put into practice, we need to focus on the steps between knowledge and action by:
Steps Between Knowledge and Action
The last but not the least learning was about the direction of investment in future, that investments should be made in disaster risk reduction for resilience, and there should be a paradigm shift in international funds from post event aids to real prevention, and mitigation action, and national capacity. Investments from local government and philanthropy should increase their weighting in education and training in disaster risk reduction, and to provide guidance for learners to put their knowledge into practice and actions following the concept of risk governance.
References:
Gluckman, P.D (2016). Science Advice to Governments, An Emerging Dimension of Science Diplomacy
Renn, O., Klinke. A., Schweizer, P. Risk Governance: Application to Urban Challenges. Int J Disaster Risk Sci (2018) 9:434-444.
By Dr. Josephine Jim, Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness and Response Institute
03/04/2019
Landslide disaster in Hong Kong is rare in recent years. The Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) of the Civil Engineering and Development Department has been performing well and is internationally renowned in slope safety management. Despite of this situation, landslide risk can never be zero. In addition, as the climate changes, it is projected that the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events also changes such as heavier rainfalls.
To increase efforts in slope safety work, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness and Response Institute (HKJCDPRI) joins hands with the GEO of the Civil Engineering and Development Department to enhance training efforts for Emergency Duty Officers with roles in emergency landslide management.
Landslide disaster in Hong Kong is rare in recent years. The Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) of the Civil Engineering and Development Department has been performing well and is internationally renowned in slope safety management. Despite of this situation, landslide risk can never be zero. In addition, as the climate changes, it is projected that the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events also changes such as heavier rainfalls.
To increase efforts in slope safety work, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness and Response Institute (HKJCDPRI) joins hands with the GEO of the Civil Engineering and Development Department to enhance training efforts for Emergency Duty Officers with roles in emergency landslide management.
On 1-14 March 2019, we collaborated with the GEO to launch the first Virtual Reality (VR) simulation on emergency landslide management for training of Emergency Duty Officers of the GEO.
Emergency landslide cases vary from minor incidents that do not involve any rescue operations to serious cases resulting in significant disruption to the community such as evacuation of buildings, closure of roads or even emergency rescue operations. Serious landside incidents are rare in recent years but can be deadly. VR is an ideal way for trainees to face the chaotic disaster situations in advance of any possible chance in future. The VR simulated disaster scenarios immerse trainees in a realistic environment to carry out their roles and coordination in real situations. Such experience allows trainees to better prepare themselves in case of a real disaster.
Three storyboards were designed by the HKJCDPRI and the GEO to simulate emergency landslide incidents on the main road, a rural village and a building area. Trainees carried out their tasks in a virtual environment by interacting with trainers who played their roles as other responders realistically at the simulated scene.
A total of 35 geotechnical engineers attended the VR simulated training sessions facilitated by the HKJCDPRI in March. Evaluation feedback from trainees are positive, indicating that the use of VR simulated disaster training had produced positive outcomes by creating a more clearly and impressively visualised disaster scenarios.
The HKJCDPRI introduced the operation of the VR simulation.
VR emergency landslide incidents on the main road.
VR emergency landslide incidents on the rural village.
VR emergency landslide incidents on the building area.
03/04/2019
People living in urban environments face multiple risks which range from financial risks, physical risks (natural hazards), technological risks (building structures, infrastructure, hazardous facilities) and social risks (violence, social dissatisfaction).These risks are often inter-linked with each other, hence, the concept of “risk governance” has been developed to provide tools to deal with complex risk situations in urban areas.
A New Framework
People living in urban environments face multiple risks which range from financial risks, physical risks (natural hazards), technological risks (building structures, infrastructure, hazardous facilities) and social risks (violence, social dissatisfaction).These risks are often inter-linked with each other, hence, the concept of “risk governance” has been developed to provide tools to deal with complex risk situations in urban areas.
A New Framework
Based on previous work by various scholars, the three major characteristics of risk knowledge that pose specific challenges for risk governance are: Complexity; Scientific Uncertainty and Socio-political Ambiguity. In this article, the International Risk Governance Council (IRGC) suggested a new framework after its original framework in 2005. The new framework structures the risk governance process in 5 steps, accompanied by communication and stakeholder involvement throughout the cycle, together with the effective use of resources:
In the Pre-estimation Phase, relating to risks in urban environments, architects, builders, urban planners, industrial contractors, real estate agents and the affected population all have different expectations and concerns that should be addressed.
The stages of Interdisciplinary Risk Estimation and Risk Characterisation are: risk assessment and concern assessment which are to match physical risk assessments with human perception. And a risk estimate combines the hazard, exposure and vulnerability assessments into an overall risk profile.
In the context of urban risks, Risk Evaluation includes comparing different management plans and options by considering two sides: the opportunities including potential revenues and the risks including financial costs and liabilities.
In dealing with urban risks, factors like the degree of complexity, uncertainty and ambiguity determine the options of risk reduction that relate to best available technical knowledge (high complexity), emphasise reversibility and robustness (high uncertainty) and to collect plural value input in case of high ambiguity. Risk Management is to review all relevant data and information generated in risk estimation, characterisation and risk evaluation.
How To Make It Work?
The management agencies’ capability to resolve complexity, clarify uncertainty and handle ambiguity determines the effectiveness of the risk governance process. The keys are communication and deliberation to attain a common understanding of the problems and to address the specific challenges raised; reaching an agreement on the most acceptable risk reduction solutions; and the processes of involving government actors, experts and stakeholders, and the public. Examples of processes are open meetings, interviews, surveys and reflective processing via mediation, round table, forum, consensus conferences and public advisory committees.
Other Considerations
Risk governance includes a dynamic governance process of continuous and gradual learning and adjustment. There is a need to understand the various concepts that people associate with quality of life in urban environments to find a consensus on risks and benefits and balancing pros and cons.
This article is summarised from: Renn, O., Klinke. A., Schweizer, P. Risk Governance: Application to Urban Challenges. Int J Disaster Risk Sci (2018) 9:434-444.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13753-018-0196-3
03/04/2019
In March 2019, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness and Response Institute (HKJCDPRI) kicked off two new programmes on disaster education for kindergartens and primary schools.
In March 2019, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness and Response Institute (HKJCDPRI) kicked off two new programmes on disaster education for kindergartens and primary schools.
An efficient and effective disaster risk reduction practice should be an all-hazard approach that integrates multi-sectoral efforts and public inclusive strategies. To build community’s disaster resilience, it is necessary to spread the knowledge of disaster preparedness in the community, at home and at individual level. International agencies and research have been calling for the inclusion of children in disaster preparedness and reduction. Individuals at all ages can be empowered to engage in disaster planning, response and recovery and eventually enhancing community resilience.
The two pilot programmes aim to raise the awareness of children on risks of disasters; to acquire safety habits; to develop suitable attitudes and behaviors in case of emergencies and to develop basic skills in response to emergencies.
The pilot programme for kindergartens is a joint effort by the HKJCDPRI and the Child Education Centre for Teaching and Learning (CECTL), part of the Department of Childcare, Elderly and Community Services (CECS) of the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE). The programme will introduce and integrate disaster education into kindergartens’ existing school curricula. During the programme, teachers from partner schools will receive training and technical support from the CECTL and the HKJCPDRI to design and develop education tools for achieving the goals of the programme. The programme will also engage parents in order to promote extended learning from schools to families.
The programme for primary schools targets at primary one to three students. Interactive dramas will be used to convey key disaster knowledge, risk concepts and proper attitudes in the face of emergencies around them and the community.
Emergency preparedness at work, at home, and in the community is everyone's responsibility. Please join us in supporting disaster education from early age in Hong Kong!
A group photo of the CECTL, the HKJCDPRI and Principals of partner schools of the kindergarten programme. From Left: Ms Angel Ng (Senior Manager, the HKJCDPRI), Ms Eva Lam (Director, the HKJCDPRI), Ms Heidi Cheng (Senior Lecturer, CECTL), Ms So Yee May (Principal, AEFCHK-EFCC Verbena Nursery School), Dr Cheung Chin Ling Gladys (Principal, Munsang College Kindergarten), Ms Yanny Chung (Manager – Community Education, the HKJCDPRI).
A group photo of the panel for the audition, which was held at the HKJCDPRI last week for selecting actors and actresses for primary school programme’s interactive drama. From Left: Ms Labroe Lee, Ms Christine Fung, Mr Peter Ng, Ms Justine Woo.
