“From Field to Framework: Best Practices in Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Response Preparedness”

Today, MOAS is thrilled to host the conference “From Field to Framework: Best Practices in Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Response Preparedness” at the Friggieri Hall, Valletta Design Cluster, Malta. This important event – generously funded by the Voluntary Organisation Projects Scheme (VOPS), an initiative managed and administered by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS) under the auspices of the Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector – brings together experts, stakeholders, and practitioners to explore innovative solutions for enhancing disaster preparedness and response worldwide.

Bangladesh and the Disaster Risk Reduction Project

The conference is anchored in MOAS’s extensive experience in Bangladesh, where disaster risk reduction has been at the heart of its operations since 2019. In Cox’s Bazar, home to over one million Rohingya refugees and highly vulnerable local communities, MOAS has implemented comprehensive programs to address the risks of disasters, such as floods and fires.

These programs have empowered over 12,000 local and refugee volunteers with critical water safety, fire prevention, and emergency response skills. By combining technical training with locally tailored resources, we have helped build long-term community resilience. The conference discussions will draw heavily from this invaluable work, presenting insights from a recently completed study examining lessons learned over four years of DRR interventions in Bangladesh.

Key Themes and Goals of the Conference

The event will feature a detailed presentation of the study’s findings, highlighting the challenges of implementing theoretical disaster plans in real-world scenarios. The study explores how project planning assumptions shape outcomes, how operational activities evolve during implementation, and the importance of long-term resilience over temporary solutions.

Following the presentation, a dynamic Q&A session and consultation will encourage active engagement among attendees. The goal is to bridge the gap between theory and practice, fostering collaboration to develop more effective strategies for disaster preparedness.

Advancing Global Humanitarian Practice

MOAS’s work in disaster risk reduction (DRR) reflects our broader mission to deliver sustainable, impactful solutions that address the root causes of vulnerability in communities worldwide. By prioritising capacity-building, education, and localised approaches, we ensure that our interventions go beyond immediate relief, fostering resilience that empowers communities to face future challenges confidently.

The conference exemplifies this commitment to global collaboration and innovation. Bringing together diverse voices from across the humanitarian and disaster management sectors creates a unique platform for exchanging knowledge, ideas, and best practices. The lessons shared today are drawn not only from MOAS’s extensive fieldwork in Bangladesh, but also from the collective experience of experts dedicated to advancing disaster preparedness and response worldwide.

Through this event, we aim to bridge gaps between theory and practice in humanitarian operations. By examining real-world challenges encountered during the implementation of disaster response plans and highlighting the importance of community engagement, the discussions will inform more effective and inclusive approaches to crisis management. These insights are particularly relevant in an era when climate change and other global threats have made disasters more frequent and severe, increasing the urgency for innovative, scalable solutions.

MOAS reaffirms its dedication to fostering global resilience and promoting shared responsibility in addressing humanitarian challenges. Here at MOAS, collaboration and the open exchange of knowledge are key to building a safer, more prepared world.

For those unable to attend the conference in person, we invite you to follow along on our social media channels. Together, we can ensure that the momentum generated by this event translates into lasting, positive change for the communities most at risk.

This project has been funded through the Voluntary Organisations Project Scheme managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector supported by the Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector (MIV)

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