By EnP. Arge Louise Joy S. Esquivel
“Hazards know no borders.”
This was the resounding message of the inaugural Environmental Hazards in Asia Conference, held at the National University of Mongolia from August 13-15, 2024. The event brought together delegates from all over the world, from countries as diverse as Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Canada, China, India, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Turkey, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Over three days, experts shared research and best practices in multi-hazard assessments and resilience building. I represented the University of the Philippines Resilience Institute and the Philippines along with researchers from the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS).
I presented my poster presentation, “Assessing Flood Hazards in Quinali A Watershed, Albay, Philippines: A Watershed Approach Integrating Probabilistic Risk Assessment and Participatory Methods for Disaster Management.” Despite Albay’s reputation for robust disaster risk management, the province continues to grapple with floods that cause significant loss of life and property. With climate change potentially worsening these risks, the study emphasizes the need for comprehensive vulnerability and risk assessments. The method combines participatory approaches with probabilistic modeling and offers a blueprint for adaptive strategies.
Among the standout presentations was Ms. Dejidmaa Damdindorj’s introduction of Mongolia’s Disaster Risk Database platform, which earned her the Best Research Award at the conference. Her demonstration integrated a risk infographic database, risk mapping tools, a digital atlas, and risk assessment results into a single platform, allowing users to visualize risk data through interactive graphs and spatial tools. This kind of platform is particularly timely and useful in the Philippines, as recent tropical cyclone events in the country, such as Typhoon Carina, highlighted the urgent need for such technologies. Carina’s sudden onslaught brought torrential rains, inundating homes, stranding commuters, and wreaking widespread havoc. Platforms like UP NOAH, which provided real-time information on flood-safe routes, proved invaluable during the crisis.
The conference’s final day was dedicated to a policy dialogue, where participants tackled the challenges and opportunities in managing cross-border hazards, fostering multinational cooperation, and building resilience. While the importance of collaboration was universally acknowledged, the discussion also highlighted a significant barrier: the reluctance of some countries to share data, especially where political relationships are strained. Some participants suggested that United Nations organizations could facilitate broader regional cooperation. Others believed that demonstrating mutual benefits might encourage neighboring countries to open up.
Overall, the conference was hailed as a success for bringing together a diverse array of experts and setting the stage for future collaboration. Participants expressed a strong desire for follow-up conferences, emphasizing the need to include students and the private sector to harness a wider range of insights and support in tackling environmental hazards across Asia.
