The UP Resilience Institute (UPRI) and the Embassy of Switzerland in the Philippines held an exploratory meeting on March 17, 2023 to discuss the importance of open data in disaster risk management and the UP Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazard Center (UP NOAH Center).
From left to right: Mr. Romeo Marcus Rosales, Mr. Jude Agapito, Swiss Humanitarian Aid Senior Regional Programme Manager and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Advisor on Disaster Risk Management Mr. Thimon Fürst, UPRI Executive Director Dr. Mahar Lagmay, Embassy of Switzerland in the Philippines Deputy Head of Mission Mr. Erik Kjaergaard, Mr. Carlos Concepcion, and Mr. Armand Conrad Pascual.
A demonstration of the UP NOAH website and the UP NOAH Studio being shown to Mr. Erik Kjaergaard.
Dr. Lagmay discussing fatalities per year in the Philippines.
The meeting was attended by UPRI Executive Director Dr. Mahar Lagmay, Swiss Humanitarian Aid Senior Regional Programme Manager and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Advisor on Disaster Risk Management Mr. Thimon Fürst, and Embassy of Switzerland in the Philippines Deputy Head of Mission Mr. Erik Kjaergaard.
Dr. Lagmay discussing an overview of the work being done by UP Resilience Institute and UP NOAH Center.
Ms. Steffanie Chua showing the program being used to model hydrometeorological hazards to Mr. Erik Kjaergaard and Mr. Thimon Fürst.
During the meeting, the UPRI staff provided an overview of their institute and the NOAH program, as well as the various tools being used to monitor hazards. The Swiss emissaries were given a tour of the facility to see how it operates and introduced them to the programs being used to model hydrometeorological hazards.
Mr. Thimon Fürst and Mr. Erik Kjaergaard.
The Swiss emissaries expressed their interest in continuing friendly relations with the UPRI and their eagerness to learn more about the work being done in the institute.