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Asiaa£į?s first disaster preparedness and response institute in Hong Kong

08/20/2014

While Hong Kong has been relatively free of natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis, there is still a need for the city to strengthen its preparedness and capabilities for handling a disaster or major emergency. This has prompted The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust to donate HK$271 million to set up a disaster preparedness and response institute, the first of its kind in Asia. 

Led by the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine (HKAM) in collaboration with the medical schools of The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), and supported by international experts from the universities of Oxford and Harvard, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness and Response Institute (HKJC DPRI) will train a cadre of healthcare professionals, NGO practitioners, teachers and the public with a view to establish the city as a regional hub for disaster preparedness and response training. 

Today (20 August), Club Chairman T. Brian Stevenson joined HKSAR Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying; HKAM President Dr Donald Li; Deputy Director General, Office of Taiwan, Hong Kong & Macao Affairs National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People’s Republic of China Wang Liji; Deputy Director of Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR Yin Xiaojing; Deputy Director General of The Health and Family Planning Commission of Guangdong Province Chen Zhusheng; Director of Health Security and Emergencies, Regional Office for the Western Pacific of World Health Organisation Dr Ailan Li and other guests at the HKJC DPRI launching ceremony.

Mr Stevenson said the outbreak of SARS, incidents like the building collapse in To Kwa Wan and the Lamma Island ferry disaster were vivid reminders of just how unexpectedly disasters strike, and the Club believed the potential risks warrant every effort being made to enhance public awareness and preparedness in this area. 

“We realised support should not be confined to hardware reconstruction, but equally important, should include software and capability building such as the development of expertise, knowledge, culture, and the building of a better future for disaster victims. One of the most forward-looking reconstruction projects funded by the Club was the establishment of an Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction in Sichuan, the first of its kind in China, to learn from the experience gained from that terrible 2008 disaster for the future,” he said. “The HKJC DPRI aims to consolidate and institutionalise the current capabilities of disaster preparedness and response in Hong Kong, with the ultimate goal of developing a sustained local, national, and regional centre of excellence in this field.”

Dr Donald Li expressed his gratitude to the Trust for its generous donation. He also said that over the next five years, the HKJC DPRI would train around 30,000 healthcare professionals, NGO workers, teachers, students and members of the general community in disaster preparedness and response and would draw heavily on our technological advantages, using simulators, game-based learning and virtual reality to provide disaster scenarios for trainees to work through. “As we train, we gain. As our trainees acquire skills and reach the necessary level of competence, we will add them to a directory of experts. Thus, when disaster strikes, Hong Kong will, truly, be prepared.”

The HKJC DRPI has already won support from the World Health Organisation and China’s National Health & Family Planning Commission, and has engaged two major international partners to incorporate the knowledge and experiences of overseas experts to ensure it has global relevance. It will develop and deliver a series of training programmes and simulation exercises for healthcare professionals, other humanitarian actors, and the public, enabling them to learn disaster management, emergency medical training, post-disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation. In addition, a directory of experts will be established to allow government bureaus to access and mobilise them in times of disaster.

The HKJC DPRI will also serve as a regional consultative platform for multi-sectoral stakeholders to discuss global issues of disaster risk reduction, local and regional preparedness and community resilience, and to develop, implement and evaluate related polices. Through the community education programmes, the awareness of teachers, students and the public over the importance of disaster preparedness will be raised to enhance community resilience. 

The Club always stands ready to meet emergency needs. During the outbreak of SARS in 2003, the Club responded quickly by supporting all schools and community services centre to install new hygiene facilities as well as donated HK$500 million to set up the Centre for Health Protection to help the city prevent and fight future epidemics. In 2010, the Jockey Club Emergency Relief Fund was specifically established for the purpose of providing rapid relief to victims of natural disasters, accidents, epidemics and the like. 

Over the years, the Club has also moved swiftly to help victims of natural disasters in the Mainland, Taiwan and the Asian region. In 2008, the Club pledged an unprecedented HK$1 billion to Sichuan towards seven post-earthquake reconstruction projects which have been completed recently. The Sichuan University-Hong Kong Polytechnic University Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction (IDRM) provided immediate emergency relief and contingency plans when the massive earthquake struck Ya’an in Sichuan two years ago. This demonstrated the importance of strengthening the IDRM’s post-disaster professional management skills to society.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is not only one of the world’s leading horse racing organisations, but also Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.95 billion in 2012/13. In addition, the Club is a major taxpayer, Hong Kong’s single largest by far, generating over HK$17.64 billion in 2012/13 for public funds. The Club pioneers technology applications for sporting and betting entertainment, striving for the highest levels of customer service. As a membership club, it is recognised as one of Asia’s most prestigious. These multifaceted roles make it a well-respected and remarkable organisation, dedicated to its mission of enhancing the quality of life for all Hong Kong people.

Club Chairman T. Brian Stevenson says the Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness and Response Institute aims to consolidate and institutionalise the current capabilities of disaster preparedness and response in Hong Kong, with the ultimate goal of establishing a sustained local, national, and regional centre of excellence in this field.
Club Chairman T. Brian Stevenson says the Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness and Response Institute aims to consolidate and institutionalise the current capabilities of disaster preparedness and response in Hong Kong, with the ultimate goal of establishing a sustained local, national, and regional centre of excellence in this field.

World Health Organisation Director-General Dr Margaret Chan congratulates the launch of Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness and Response Institute.
World Health Organisation Director-General Dr Margaret Chan congratulates the launch of Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness and Response Institute.

Club Chairman T. Brian Stevenson (5th left) joins HKSAR Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying (centre); HKAM President Dr Donald Li (5th right); Office of Taiwan, Hong Kong & Macao Affairs National Health and Family Planning Commission of the Peoplea£į?s Republic of China Wang Liji (4th right); Deputy Director of Liaison Office of the Central Peoplea£į?s Government in the HKSAR Yin Xiaojing (4th left); Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok (3rd right); Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man (3rd left); Director of Health Security and Emergencies, Regional Office for the Western Pacific of World Health Organisation Dr Ailan Li (2nd left); HKU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Mathieson (1st right); CUHK Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Joseph Sung (1st left); Dean for Academic Affairs of Harvard University Professor David Hunter (2nd right) to officiate at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness and Response Institute launching ceremony.
Club Chairman T. Brian Stevenson (5th left) joins HKSAR Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying (centre); HKAM President Dr Donald Li (5th right); Office of Taiwan, Hong Kong & Macao Affairs National Health and Family Planning Commission of the Peoplea£į?s Republic of China Wang Liji (4th right); Deputy Director of Liaison Office of the Central Peoplea£į?s Government in the HKSAR Yin Xiaojing (4th left); Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok (3rd right); Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man (3rd left); Director of Health Security and Emergencies, Regional Office for the Western Pacific of World Health Organisation Dr Ailan Li (2nd left); HKU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Mathieson (1st right); CUHK Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Joseph Sung (1st left); Dean for Academic Affairs of Harvard University Professor David Hunter (2nd right) to officiate at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness and Response Institute launching ceremony.

Officiating guests pictured with Club Stewards Philip N L Chen (2nd row, 5th left), Dr Rita Fan Hsu Lai Tai (2nd row, 4th left) and The Hon Sir C K Chow (2nd row, 4th right), Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (2nd row, 3rd left); the Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (2nd row, 3rd right) and Executive Director, Charities and Community Cheung Leong (2nd row, 2nd right) and other guests.
Officiating guests pictured with Club Stewards Philip N L Chen (2nd row, 5th left), Dr Rita Fan Hsu Lai Tai (2nd row, 4th left) and The Hon Sir C K Chow (2nd row, 4th right), Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (2nd row, 3rd left); the Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (2nd row, 3rd right) and Executive Director, Charities and Community Cheung Leong (2nd row, 2nd right) and other guests.

Club Chairman T. Brian Stevenson (left) receives a souvenir from HKAM President Dr Donald Li (right).
Club Chairman T. Brian Stevenson (left) receives a souvenir from HKAM President Dr Donald Li (right).

Photos 6/7:<br>
Guests tour the Igloo with a 360-degree projection to allow trainees experience simulated disasters.
Photos 6/7:
Guests tour the Igloo with a 360-degree projection to allow trainees experience simulated disasters.


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