YouChange Joined TIEMS in Exploring NGOs’ Action and Role in Disaster Response

From: Web ???Viwe::???Time: 2010-6-25

On the afternoon of June 9, YouChange as the NGO representative was invited to chair the sub-forum on the role of NGO in emergency management during the International Emergency Management Society 17th Annual Conference (TIEMS). Over 50 people from the government, philanthropic foundations, grassroots non-governmental organizations, and the business and academic communities attended this event. YouChange Secretary General Gan Dongyu made the keynote address on “Challenges and Response—YouChange’s Operation Model in Disaster Response” before he joined other participants in exploring the operation and role of NGOs in disaster response.

TIEMS 17th Annual Conference was hosted by the International Emergency Management Society (TIEMS), and sponsored by China Earthquake Administration, other Chinese governmental agencies responsible for disaster relief, and NGOs. With the theme “Global Emergency Response to Disasters for a Harmonious World”, the conference lasted for four days. It was for the first time held in Beijing.

On June 11,YouChange Secretary General Gan Dongyu as the only NGO representative attended the interaction forum of the International Emergency Management Society (TIEMS) 17th Annual Conference. Secretary General Gan joined experts and officials in the field of emergency management and entrepreneurs in the dialogue on emergency mechanism.

Secretary General Gan said that NGOs tended to be fast, focused and flexible in dealing with major emergent events and natural disasters. If they could develop into a well-organized NGO system, they would have good integration with professional government emergency management system and supplement each other in their integration. He concluded in his remarks that NGOs could play their role in three stages, namely preparation, emergency relief and post disaster reconstruction.