June 12, 2008 at the Westin Hotel, Beijing Agenda (44k pdf) Meeting Objectives & Overview 
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In response to the devastating earthquake that struck Wenchuan County in Sichuan Province on May 12, 2008, the Government of China and the World Bank jointly organized a workshop on Earthquake Recovery and Reconstruction: International Experience and Best Practices in Beijing on June 12, 2008. The objective of the meeting is to share international experience and lessons learned from previous post-disaster reconstruction and recovery planning efforts worldwide. It is anticipated that the Government of China will utilize the pertinent lessons learned and information presented to inform its own reconstruction and recovery planning efforts in earthquake affected areas. To set the discussion in a broader disaster risk management context, meeting presenters discussed the conceptual framework of designing a comprehensive reconstruction and recovery program, as well as the rationale for conducting a comprehensive damage and loss assessment following a disaster in order to lay the foundation for the reconstruction and recovery planning. Speakers from India, Turkey, and the United States gave tangible examples of post-disaster reconstruction experiences following the Gujarat Earthquake (India), the Marmara Earthquake (Turkey), Hurricane Katrina, and the Northridge Earthquake (US). World Bank specialists and other international experts also presented sectoral perspectives related to post-disaster recovery, and shared lessons related to issues such as: housing reconstruction, environmental considerations, livelihood support, health and education programs, transportation networks, and dam safety. Longer term risk management aspects, such as catastrophic risk financing, was also explored as an option for the Chinese Government to consider. Bios of Presenters (64k pdf) Presentation overviews |  |  | Mr. Saroj Jha, Sustainable Recovery and Reconstruction Framework (1.46mb pdf)
This presentation gave an overview of the World Bank's previous global experience in helping its client countries formulate successful post-disaster reconstruction and recovery frameworks. Aspects to be discussed include: important elements of reconstruction and recovery, the transition from relief to early recovery planning, options for institutional arrangements, and the role of a comprehensive damage and loss assessment to inform the strategy. | |  | | Mr. Richard Andrews, Disaster Management – Lessons learned from United States Experiences (106k pdf)
This presentation focused on lessons learned from the Northridge earthquake in California and from Hurricane Katrina that affected the Gulf Coast of the US. The presentation described the role of an effective emergency management system for long term reconstruction, the importance of strategic communications, and the need for integrating mitigation measures into reconstruction and recovery planning. | |  | | Mr. Murat Bursa, From Reconstruction to Mitigation – Turkey (1.53mb pdf)
This presentation reviewed the experiences of the relief and reconstruction programs implemented to address the impacts of the Marmara earthquake in Turkey. Key issues that was discussed include the Government of Turkey's overall reconstruction strategy, including the main challenges and institutional structure; the lessons learned from the recovery program; and, how the Government transitioned from reconstruction and recovery toward proactive risk mitigation. | |  | | Christoph Pusch, Comprehensive Damage and Needs Assessment – Methodology and Practical Relevance (983k pdf)
This presentation gave an overview of best practice damage and loss assessment methodology, as well as the outcomes of the assessment process, the value of conducting an assessment, the importance of partnerships, and the different sectoral, as well as macroeconomic, aspects of the assessment. A case study of the Pakistan post-earthquake damage and loss assessment prepared in 2005 was highlighted. | |  | | David Arthur, Environmental Resources Management, Environmental Response to Natural Disasters (302k pdf)
This presentation reviewed environmental aspects of a damage assessment and will provide guidance on formulating an Environmental Management Plan for the reconstruction program. A case study example of solid and hazardous waste management was also presented. | |  | | Geoffrey Read, Infrastructure Planning and Recovery (3.11mb pdf)
This presentation discussed the strategic choices the government must make regarding its reconstruction program, especially for determining whether or not to relocate affected people. Choices will be based on physical, legal and socio cultural factors. The presentation also reviewed the phasing and prioritization of infrastructure & housing reconstruction, and provided lessons learned from the Lijiang and Aceh reconstruction programs. | |  | | Charles Scawthorn, Seismic Resistant Repair and Reconstruction - Critical Issues (5.87mb pdf)
This presentation reviewed the importance of assessing the seismic risk and utilization and enforcement of adequate building codes and performance based designs during reconstruction to reduce vulnerability to future earthquakes. | |  | | Rakesh Kishore, Urban Reconstruction and Renewal of Bhuj City – Gujarat Experience (3.83mb pdf)
This presentation reviewed the post-earthquake housing reconstruction program that has been carried out in Gujarat, India. The presentation gave information on the lessons learned, the capacity building programs provided to homeowners on seismic resistant construction methods and standards, and the outcome of the reconstruction strategies developed for urban areas that included various NGOs, local governments, and other partners. | |  | | Alessandro Palmieri, Safety of Dams and Barrier Lakes (1.37mb pdf)
This presentation gave an overview of key issues to take into account for assessing damage to and reconstruction planning for water resource infrastructure, such as dams and irrigation systems. The issue of addressing newly created barrier lakes was also discussed. | |  | | Tony Anziano, California State Highway System Earthquake Planning and Response (1.79mb pdf)
This presentation gave an overview of key issues the Government should take into account in assessing damage to transportation networks. Longer term implications for reconstruction was also presented, including a case study on the ambitious seismic retrofit of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. | |  | | Jack Langenbrunner, Inaam Haq, and Jose Zeballos, Health – from Emergency Response to Revitalization and Restoring Education Services (1.21 pdf)
This presentation gave an overview of key issues to take into account for assessing damage and restoring basic health, education and social services. It also explored the importance of addressing the special needs of vulnerable groups affected by the disaster, such as widows, orphans, and the elderly. | |  | | Lai Jinchang, Recovery of the Private Sector (1.07mb pdf)
This presentation explored ways the Government could leverage public and private financing to support affected populations and businesses, as well as review the applicability of microfinance to facilitate rapid recovery. | |  | | Tara Vishwanath, Post-disaster Livelihood Support Programs: Insights from International Experiences (37kb pdf)
This presentation provided an overview of cash grants programs, including cash for work options. It explored issues related to beneficiary targeting, eligibility criteria, transparency, and monitoring systems, which are crucial to ensuring successful programs. A case study of the post-earthquake cash transfer program applied in Pakistan was presented. | |  | | Zhou Daoxu, Catastrophe Risk Insurance Issues and Challenges
This presentation discussed suitable models for establishing a catastrophe risk insurance system for China. | |  | | Wang Jun, Building a Catastrophe Risk Financing System in China
This presentation gave an overview of risk financing and transfer options that China may wish to consider in the longer term. It also reviewed the risk modeling applications and requirements for implementing risk financing programs. |
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