Seoul – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Mission in the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Korea Volunteer Center (KVC), with support from the Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), successfully hosted the ‘Seminar on Disaster Response and Coordination for ROK Volunteer Centres’ from 27 to 28 February 2023. The seminar brought together a total of 51 senior officials and disaster coordinators from volunteer centres in 17 cities and provinces.

With increased frequency and impact of natural disasters in ROK, the role of volunteer centres and their manpower became ever more crucial for more effective and beneficiary-centred responses. The two-day seminar sought to strengthen the participants’ understanding and awareness of basic principles and international standards in emergency response to foster cooperation and coordination capacity of local volunteer centres and disaster coordinators in domestic emergency response.

"We are pleased to be able to hold the seminar in partnership with the IOM Mission in the Republic of Korea, to have the opportunity to learn about the principles of international humanitarian response. I wish this could be a meaningful step to strengthen the capacity of all 17 volunteer centres which came together here in disaster response, based on robust understanding of international standards and practices,” said Kim Eui-wook, the Director of the Korea Volunteer Center at the opening speech.

Led by Jieun KIM, National Project Officer of IOM ROK, the seminar consisted of sessions to enhance participants’ understanding on humanitarian assistance, including principles, international standards and cooperation frameworks with particular focus on coordination and Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP). Yuko SHIBATA, General Manager of Japan Platform was invited as a guest speaker and shared JVOAD’s experience on initiating and facilitating coordination and cross-sector cooperation in major emergencies in Japan. Furthermore, Eunae LEE, Director of Centre for Disaster Safety Education presented a study on disaster response operations by 10 different volunteer centres in 2022 with the focus on lessons learned and ways forward. Participants were also provided with two group discussion sessions facilitated by Korea Volunteer Center.

Since 2014, IOM ROK, in partnership with BHA of USAID, has been supporting capacity enhancement of ROK humanitarian actors in emergency preparedness and response through customized trainings and knowledge-sharing activities in multiple forms.

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For more information, please contact Eunice Jieun KIM, IOM Republic of Korea Mission, Tel.: +82 70 4820 0291, Email: jikim@iom.int.