Strengthening Capacity on Multi-hazard Risk Assessment in Tsunami affected Countries (SCRATCH)

This project was implemented in response to 2004 tsunami, which had devastated the coastal communities of the South and Southeast Asian region. The goal of the project was to develop institutional capacities in four tsunami affected countries in application of remote sensing and GIS for hazard and risk assessment.

      This project was implemented in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand and four country specific case studies were developed to create hazard and risk maps. Eight staff and faculty members of national organizations and universities/institutes from four tsunami-affected countries were trained in hazard modeling and applications of remote sensing and GIS in hazard and risk assessment at Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). Upon completion of the training, these staff and faculty members worked with AIT to develop the case studies. Tsunami hazard maps, agricultural and building damage maps, safe evacuation shelter locations etc. were obtained through the case studies. Workshops/short-term courses were organized in the countries to create awareness on hazard and risk assessment with participation of 89 professionals (approximately 20 professionals from each country). The training materials developed at AIT as well as the country specific case studies were used for these in-country workshops/short-term courses.