Making Displacement Safer Regional Workshop
The "Making Displacement Safer" Regional Workshop, organized by the GNDR Secretariat in Bangkok, Thailand, was a comprehensive event spanning three days. The workshop aimed to address the critical issue of displacement in the context of disasters and focus on implementing effective solutions.
Day 1:
The first day began with an insightful opening session. Elise Belcher, Project Coordinator of MDS, provided an overview of global findings related to displacement. Thannaletchimy Housset, Monitoring Manager from Asia Pacific Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), discussed Asia's displacement challenges, particularly in disaster-related scenarios. The day highlighted the importance of context setting and awareness of regional displacement issues.
Day 2:
On the second day, the focus turned to the practical implementation of MDS in Asia, spotlighting countries like Indonesia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Danang Azhari, RDI’s Deputy Program Manager, shared a comprehensive reflection on Indonesia's 2.5-year MDS program, emphasizing durable solutions and local risk-informed development strategies. Discussions touched on coordination, multistakeholder involvement, and durable solutions for displaced communities.
Day 3:
The final day of the workshop maintained its momentum. Danang Azhari led discussions on addressing risks and challenges in displacement, highlighting the need for action and emphasizing the role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in supporting durable solutions. The importance of distinguishing displacement-related risks was emphasized.
Throughout the workshop, vital points emerged, including the centrality of a human-centered approach, the complexity of displacement as a development issue, and the significance of localizing efforts. Participants recognized the need for coherence in policies and efforts. The workshop's ultimate goal was to contribute to the development of a comprehensive "Displacement and Disaster" cookbook to guide future initiatives.
RDI expressed its delight in contributing to the workshop and reiterated its commitment to finding durable solutions for displaced communities and minimizing displacement risks, thereby enhancing overall safety. The workshop proved to be a collaborative effort in tackling a pressing global challenge.
