Each year, the 13 October marks International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction and ASEAN Day for Disaster Management. The event is an opportunity to celebrate how people and communities are reducing their exposure to disasters, and also raise awareness about the importance of risk reduction. The event encourages every citizen and government to take part in building more resilient communities and nations.

Below is the celebration of the day in Southeast Asian countries:

Thai Red Cross in close collaboration with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), focal point for ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM), and other network partners organized the celebration of ASEAN Disaster Management Day (ADDM) and International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) 2016 on Sunday 9 October in Bangkok.

The ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) observes 13th October as ASEAN Day for Disaster Management in conjunction with the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction. Aimed at creating “Safety Thailand” this year, the event was launched under the concept of “One ASEAN Community for Better Resilience” along with “Volunteers, Step up for Disaster Risk Reduction”, which encourages volunteers to prepare for disaster and community resilience. “This event is a major part of strengthening ASEAN community resilience and disaster preparedness. We have adopted the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and promoted this mission to Thai society. Activities included the network presentation, a mini concert, performance by the Thai Red Cross youths and games” said Lt. Gen. Amnat Barlee M.D., Director of Relief and Community Health Bureau, the Thai Red Cross Society.

On 13 October 2016, the Thai Red Cross also organized a mangrove planting event at Banpu Nature Education Centre in Samut Prakarn province to raise awareness on the importance of disaster mitigation and the impact of climate change. Staff and volunteers from Thai Red Cross, IFRC, American Red Cross, Swedish Red Cross attended this activity together with a representative from the provincial office of Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (Ministry of Interior).

On 13 October, the Viet Nam Red Cross Society organized a meeting along with disaster response drill in Quang Nam province to celebrate the International Day for Disaster Reduction and launch the World Disaster Report of 2016. The event was attended by nearly 500 representatives from national and local government representatives, VNRC headquarters and chapters representatives, the IFRC Mekong Countries Cluster Support Team and Asia Pacific representatives, local youth and school representatives, among others.

On 14 October 2016, Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste (CVTL) take part during disaster preparedness exercise, exhibition, and cultural event on Disaster Risk Reduction Day commemoration organized by the government in Fatuberliu, District of Manufahi.

Lao Red Cross organized the celebration of ASEAN Disaster Management Day (ADDM) and International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) 2016 on Thursday 13 October in Khammouane. The slogan of this year is “One ASEAN Community for Better Resilience” and Volunteer, Step Up for Disaster Risk Reduction. Lao Red Cross staffs, volunteers, students participated in parade to promoting IDDR day and Disaster Risk Reduction and also arrange First Aid demonstration. Volunteers, students and community people were interested in this activity and had a chance to practice the first aid, a part of capacity building community based disaster risk reduction. This IDDR day activity was supported by the government of Canada under the regional resilience initiative.