Mr. Somchai Rungsilp, Manager, Community Development Department, APCD led a session on Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DiDRR), sharingpractical strategies to make emergency preparedness more inclusive.

Ms. Hiroko Itako, a Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer at APCD, delivered a case study presentation on the Great East Japan Earthquake with interpretation support from Ms. Thorfan Dechachainimit, Project Coordinator, APCD ESCAP-DIEB.

Participants with visual impairments engaged in a discussion session facilitated by Mr. Somchai Rungsilp from APCD.

Group photo of participants, facilitators, and guest speakers more than 50 persons taken after the morning session on the first day of the training program.

APCD facilitators assisted participants in trying out tactile emergency tools after the session.

On July 25, 2025, APCD participated in a disaster preparedness program organized by the Friends for Disabilities and Underprivileged Foundation (Fduf), aiming to equip persons with visual impairments with essential knowledge and skills to respond to emergencies. The three-day event, held at Tongtara Riverview Hotel in Bangkok, featured expert sessions from the National Disaster Warning Center, Thai Red Cross Society, and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM). APCD served as a key contributor on the first day.

Representing APCD, Mr. Somchai Rungsilp led a session on Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DiDRR), sharing practical approaches for inclusive knowledge-sharing, evacuation procedures, and shelter accessibility. He was followed by Ms. Hiroko Itako, a Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer at APCD, shared a real-life case study from the Great East Japan Earthquake, focusing on the experiences of a blind evacuee. Through audio clips and narrative storytelling, she highlighted the importance of preparedness that enable independent action. The session concluded with Mr. Somchai, facilitating a talk session with participants with visual impairments, exploring how disaster planning can better accommodate diverse needs.

APCD is proud to support initiatives that promote inclusive preparedness and ensure that no one is left behind in times of crisis.

BMA in collaboration with Social Innovation Foundation (SIF), Mahidol University, STEPS, Vulcan and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation organized the Town Hall Event, “BMA Empowers and Promotes Volunteers with Disabilities”.

The highlight session was the interviews to officials with disabilities working for BMA in different areas and different positions.

The Town Hall event was successfully organized by encourage BMA officials with disabilities and raise awareness among participants. The event engaged over 300 attendees through this significant platform.

The representative of BMA expressed the appreciation by presenting trophy to the governors of model district who manage good model on employment of officials with disabilities.

BMA in collaboration with Social Innovation Foundation (SIF), Mahidol University, STEPS, Vulcan and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation organized the Town Hall Event, “BMA Empowers and Promotes Volunteers with Disabilities”.

The event was organized at TK Palace Convention in Bangkok with more than 300 participants actively joined this significant platform. Representative of SIF was the key reporter to update the project progress on promoting disability-inclusive employment by BMA. After the opening ceremony, the highlight session was the interview to officials with disabilities working for BMA in different areas and different positions.

The representative of BMA expressed the appreciation by presenting trophy to the governors of model district who manage good model on employment of officials with disabilities. BMA also presented certificates to excellent volunteers with disabilities.

APCD attended the event and congratulated to this event as enhancement moment of the DIEB in Thailand and especially focused on having officials with disabilities by initiation of BMA.   

APCD staff gathered a group photo with interns together with Mr. Piroon Laismit, APCD Executive Director, APCD, certificates presentation session to commemorate the occasion.

Mr. Iffan Cheni, student intern from Thammasat University received the completion certificate and letters of appreciation from APCD executive director.

Ms. Rungnaphaphon Riwong, student intern from Thammasat University received the completion certificate and letters of appreciation from APCD executive director.

The interns presented and shared their internship experience and reflected on their learning at APCD.

The atmosphere during the presentation and the Q&A session that followed. The attendees were very interactive and active learned and exchange with the intern’s presentation.

Ms. Rungnaphaphon, presented a souvenir to her mentor, Mr. Watcharapol Chuengcharoen, Chief of Networking & Collaboration, Community Development Department, APCD.

Mr. Iffan, presented a souvenir to his mentor, Ms. Nongnuch Maytarjittipun, Executive Secretary to the Executive Director/Manager, Information & Knowledge Management, APCD.

A group photo of the meeting participants and the organizers. There were 60 participants attended the meeting representing government, private sector, civil society organizations as well as organizations of persons with disabilities.

Participants provided feedback and shared their perspectives during the meeting.

Mr. Somchai Rungsilp, Manager, Community Development Department, APCD, facilitate the overview meeting program

Dr. Nantanoot Suwannawut, Director of the International Cooperation Section, DEP, shared her recommendations.

Ms. Tingting Chen, ESCAP provided feedback in order to improve the policy paper.

Ms. Thorfan Dechachainimit Project staff recorded the meeting note while Mr. Warit Payaksiri, Assistant Foreign Affairs Officer, DEP played a role of MC and technical support during the meeting, they both are the actively project working group members.