Legazpi City --The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has lauded Albay’s zero casualty performance during the recent Mayon Volcano eruption and previous disasters and has pledged to help the province further consolidate its risk management strategy.

In a letter to Albay Gov. Joey Salceda dated February 18, 2010, UNDP Country Director Renaud Meyer congratulated Salceda for his excellent handling of the recent Mayon eruption emergency.

Salceda, a cliimate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction campaigner has pioneered the preemptive evacuation cencept for a zero casualty goal in his province, which was adopted throughout the country by many local government units in time of calamities.

“Your pre-emptive evacuation strategy and preparedness resulting in "zero casualty" is a solid example of good governance in disaster risk management,” Renaud said in his letter sent after UNDP representatives visited Albay’s relocation sites.

Renaud said his agency has also taken note of an earlier letter referred to UNDP by UN Resident Coordinator Jacqui Badcock, from Ms. Emily Kare of the Albay MDG (?) Office.

The letter sought UN assistance in undertaking a comprehensive assessment of damages, needs and social impact on the people brought to evacuation center at the height of emergencies like the recent Mayon eruption, which could be made a component part of a Risk Management Information System for Albay.

Renaud said the requested assessment is a vital component of a “disaster risk management in Albay, and will contribute to the achievement of overall long-term development outcomes for the Bicol region.”

The UNDP official also agreed with Salceda who stressed to the UNDP representatives during their Albay visit, the importance of establishing credible baseline data and the need for a holistic recovery framework for Albay with possible UNDP support.

Renaud assured UNDP will be very much interested to explore a partnership with the local government of Albay in such venture and the proposal by Ms. Kare could be responded to in the framework of this larger recovery framework envisioned for Albay.