WYNDHAM ALBROOK MALL HOTEL, PANAMA CITY ACTION ON DISASTER RELIEF • 16-17 FEBRUARY 2022
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ADR2022 POST-EVENT REPORT GRV Global was particularly delighted to return to the beautiful Panama City for the 7th anniversary Action on Disaster Relief (ADR2022) as our first in-person event in exactly two years, taking place between the 15th – 18th February, 2022. In our continued efforts to facilitate growing collaboration across the region, GRV Global welcomed almost 200 participants from Government, NGO stakeholders, International, UN and regional disaster agencies, for a busy few days of high-level plenary sessions, keynote speeches, workshops, private afternoon 1-2-1 matchmaking meetings, and networking functions, to devise a plan of action for future resilience across the Latin America and the Caribbean region.
PRE-EVENT: TUESDAY 15 FEBRUARY
ADR2022 Opening comments --- Opening Keynote Address
ADR2022 commenced with a Site Visit, supported by the Ministry of Government, to see the operational Regional Logistics Center for Humanitarian Assistance (CLRAH), the first and only “Humanitarian Hub” in the Americas. An initiative of the Government of Panama, created to support response operations of national systems and international organizations that specialize in humanitarian assistance, the Center was implemented by UNOPS (opened 2019) under the direction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Government, in coordination with UNHRD (operated by WFP), IFRC, and SINAPROC Panama who are the facility’s primary users. During the visit, delegates were given a brief presentation on the capacity and capabilities of the hub before being taken on a private tour of the stock & tailored emergency kits which are deployed for families, including: PPEs, masks, medicine kits, vaccines, tents, kitchenware, blankets, mattresses, education kits, and much more. Delegates also visited the UNHRD, IFRC, and SINAPROC warehouses and operations center ADR2022 situated at the Panamá Pacífico International Airport. Many returning BETWN delegates were able to HUMANITRD appreciate the significant ANDSTKEHOLR, THEBRIDGSWOL transformation from the AMONGSTECHR bare structure seen during MAKESUTRONG the ADR CLRAH visits in the past 5 years and were given the opportunity to question operational Heads of Department. ADR2022 speakers & sponsors were invited to a series of workshops beginning with a USAID Funding Workshop presented by Matthew Johnson, Industry Liaison & Communications Director of USAID - U.S. Agency for International Development. Participants learned how to work with USAID, about the Agency’s operations, key terminology, tips for submitting proposals, and funding opportunities. This session was followed by an OCHA Procurement Workshop
on the United Nations Global Marketplace (UNGM) hosted by Rogerio Mobilia, Deputy Head of the Regional Office for Latin America & the Caribbean (ROLAC) at OCHA - UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Attendees were taken through initial steps to becoming registered and start using the UNGM platform; the self-financed inter-agency initiative is the official procurement portal of the United Nations System which brings together UN procurement staff and suppliers interested in doing business with UN agencies worldwide. The last workshop of the day was the IFRC Logistics Supplier Workshop led by Stefano Riera, Operational Procurement Manager Americas Office at IFRC - International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies. Participants were given guidelines on how to become a supplier for the IFRC, what they procure and contract etc. The workshop also included a presentation of IFRC’s Regional Logistics Units, their online item catalogue, who is purchasing, and the process to become a registered supplier including how to obtain tender documents. Concluding ADR2022’s pre-event day, delegates were able to unwind, network, and discuss the two days ahead at our Evening Networking Reception, enjoying drinks and canapes at the Wyndham Albrook Mall Hotel Lobby Bar. The informal gathering also provided a prime opportunity for panelists to engage with their session Chairs ahead of the main two days of plenary conference sessions.
DAY 1: WEDNESDAY 16 FEBRUARY
ADR2022 delegates commenced day one with networking tea and coffee whilst remaining participants registered for their welcome packs, before heading into the Colon Room for the Opening Ceremony. GRV Global CEO, Andrew Dowell, was thrilled to greet to all participants to GRV’s first live in-person event in exactly two years, welcoming familiar and new faces to the event. Andrew praised the progress and great work taking place at the Regional Logistics Center for Humanitarian Assistance (CLRAH) - the pivotal role they have played in coordinating, rapid and effective disaster response
