Technical Assistance Programme for Disaster Risk Management

The Universal Postal Union (UPU) is inviting its members to submit applications for disaster risk management (DRM) technical assistance projects based on the Emergency Assistance and Disaster Risk Management Task Force methodology and funded by a voluntary contribution from the Government of Japan.

The following types of projects are eligible:

  • Development of new DRM plans or enhancement of existing ones, based on the 2016 UPU DRM Guide, which sets out the general background, concepts, definitions and relevance of DRM in the postal sector
  • Development of DRM expertise (training, seminars, expert consultancy)
  • Procurement of equipment and materials for DRM activities, including satellite phones, generators and other items that can be used in preparing for and responding to natural disasters

Project beneficiaries should be developing countries, and particularly least developed countries. Member countries currently under sanction are not eligible for this technical assistance.

The amount of financial support for each project will range from 10,000 CHF to 100,000 CHF. However, the final budget allocation will be based on careful examination of the application.

The project duration will be determined by the nature of the activity. In principle, the project should be completed within 12 months of the date of announcement by the UPU International Bureau of the project(s) selected.

Interested member countries are asked to submit project applications by completing the application form and emailing it to DRM@upu.int.

  • This Guide is the result of the work conducted by the UPU IB task force.

    The task force was consisted of experts from relevant directorates to analyze the situation in postal services and develop a pandemic recovery guide.

    The Guide is designed to help member countries mitigate the impact of this and any future pandemic on the postal industry and ensure quick restoration of their postal services post-crisis.

  • Building Resilience – A guide to disaster risk management for the postal sector
    10.06.2021

    Key UPU tool for implementing and improving Disaster Risk Management frameworks, practices and structures in the postal sector.

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  • Fourth invitation to submit applications
    24.02.2020
    The International Bureau wishes to invite Union member countries to submit applications for technical assistance projects in disaster risk management (DRM) to facilitate their readiness for natural disasters.
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  • The UPU selected six projects from applications for 2019 first selection period (application deadline 30 April 2019)
  • The UPU selected six projects from applications for 2018 second selection period (application deadline 30 September 2018)
  • The UPU selected three projects from applications for 2018 first selection period (Application deadline was 30 April 2018).

Training and best practices

The UPU wants to share the experiences of post offices in disasters, develop training materials, and to consider how the post office can be used before, during and after emergencies.

A Disaster Risk Management online training module ("Trainpost") for postal managers and employees and the "Guidelines on DRM for the postal sector" are currently being developed.

Useful links