Program for Enhancement of Emergency Response (PEER)

PEER is a regional training program initiated in 1998 by the U.S. Agency for International Development’s, Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) to strengthen disaster response capacities in Asia. PEER builds on a similar program that was originally developed with support from USAID/OFDA in Latin America. The PEER program in Asia is currently in Stage 3, focusing on further institutionalization of the training courses developed in Stages 1 and 2. Stage 2 also brought an important focus on multi-hazard preparedness to the overall program.

The PEER program has 3 objectives:

1. To establish a system for enhancing community-level first responder capacity in disaster-prone communities using the Community Action for Disaster Response (CADRE) course to train a wide range of community practitioners. Implementation is led by ADPC.
2. To improve the capacity of hospitals and healthcare facilities to be prepared to manage emergencies and mass casualty events using the Hospital Preparedness for Emergencies (HOPE) course to train a wide range of health and medical staff in the target countries. Implementation is led by ADPC.
3.  To strengthen the capabilities of PEER countries to provide Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue as well as to enhance and institutionalize Medical First Responder capacity, to provide basic and advanced life support during emergencies. Implementation led by NSET.

Overview of PEER program regionally , PEER implementation in Nepal
http://www.adpc.net/blog/?page_id=2, http://www.nset.org.np/peer/background.php