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โครงการหนังสออเล็กทรอนกสด้านการเกษตร เฉลมพระเกียรตพระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว
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International Seminar on Biodiversity and Sustainable Development in the Mekong River Basin 20

effects of a flood. This was prompted by the observation that economic and insured losses due to
"extreme" floods have increased dramatically over the last two decades despite increased flood
protection investments (Svetlana et al., 2015). Understanding the phenomenon, the research
conducted through the Asia – Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) support project
“Capacity Building for Measuring Multi-Hazard Livelihood Security and Resilience in the Lower
Mekong Basin,” is developing a tool for measuring livelihood security and resilience to multi-
hazards. As it is high time to focus on building the capacities of the stakeholders for evidence-
based decision-making and interventions. In the first phase, the project is developing a tool for
measuring multi-hazards livelihood security and resilience of the selected communities from the
three project countries. The second phase will emphasize capacity building in training workshops
for adopting the tool in the disaster management context. The workshop participants will be from
government agencies, practitioners, academicians, and young researchers active in the field of
disaster risk management. The tool and training are expected to enhance the capacities of managing
multi-hazards in the era of Covid-19, 2020, and beyond. A comprehensive tool will be developed
to measure the livelihood security and resilience to hydro-meteorological hazards (riverine floods
and droughts) in Covid-19 era and build capacities of the stakeholders through this two-phase
approach. One of the project's primary focuses is to build the capacities of government agencies,
practitioners, and academicians, including young researchers in the field of disaster risk reduction
and resilience, primarily focused on the livelihood security for vulnerable communities in the
project countries and region.

Conclusions

In the Greater Mekong Subregion flood vulnerability is dynamic and varies across spacio-
temporal scales (Pal et al., 2021, Forino, 2015). Individuals and communities are differentially
vulnerable based on inequalities expressed through levels of wealth and education, disability,
health, gender, age, class, and other social and cultural characteristics (IPCC 2012). Developing
resilience for the flood vulnerability has a broad and multi-dimensional entity with a shared
responsibility of all sectors of society. Community engagement and multi-sectoral collaboration
have been identified by this study as the core aspects of disaster risk reduction and management
efforts in achieving disaster resilience. Disaster resilience is one of the key concerns for sustainable
development pathways. The process of building resilience needs to be a networked process
incorporating community assets rather than solely identified risks. The participation of relevant
stakeholders in flood defense decision-making can support resolving conflicting interests and
assist in identifying the optimal solution. Capacitating community members with knowledge,
skills, and awareness regarding disaster risk reduction and management enhances a safety culture
allowing the community to effectively prepare for the risks they face. Natural flood protection
measures are more sustainable than structural measures as they are environment-friendly,
commonly accepted and are more flexible than the structural measures. In communities where
people’s livelihood is closely intertwined with nature, it is important to initiate ecosystem-based
approaches to managing floods. Participatory planning for water and natural resource management
can support enhance adaptation to natural disasters that reduces the social and economic impacts
of natural disasters.

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