The Yokohama conference

UNESCO Courier, May, 1994

UNESCO AND THE PREVENTION OF NATURAL DISASTERS

IN the past two decades, natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, floods, landslides, volcanic eruptions, forest fires, grasshopper and locust infestations, drought and desertification have killed an estimated three million people, adversely affected at least 800 million lives and resulted in enormous economic damage, which in 1990 alone reached $47 billion. Developing countries suffer the greatest social and economic damage because of their limited resources for disaster warning and prevention. Today, the risk of natural disasters is increasing as a result of population growth, urbanization, alteration of the natural environment, substandard dwellings and public building and inadequate infrastructure maintenance.

The International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR; 1990-2000), was launched by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 22 December 1989 to reduce through concerted international action, especially in developing countries, the loss of life, property damage and economic and social disruption caused by natural disasters.

A World Conference on the Reduction of Natural Disasters is being held this year from 23-27 May in Yokohama (Japan). The conference has been convened to review the accomplishments of the Decade to date, chart a programme of action for the future, facilitate the exchange of information on the implementation of programmes and policies, and increase awareness of the importance of disaster reduction policies.

There are many more ways of disaster prevention and mitigation than is commonly thought. They need to be made better known to the communities concerned, the authorities, educators and development planners.

UNESCO, which is a member of the United Nations steering committee for IDNDR, has for many years been engaged in the assessment and mitigation of risks arising from natural hazards. It is committed to promoting policies of prevention, with a strong accent on enhancing preparedness and public awareness.

At the Yokohama conference, UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) are organizing a technical committee on warning systems. UNESCO is also organizing a series of Poster Sessions which will provide a forum for scientific and technical presentations in the form of display materials on such themes as warning systems, education, health, earth science, engineering and architecture, legislation, regulation and land use.

UNESCO has published two booklets for the general public: Standing Up to Natural Disasters and Disaster Reduction as well as a children's cartoon book, Tsunami Warning. These can be ordered from UNESCO, Publications and Documentation Unit of the Science Sector, I rue Miollis, 75732 Paris CEDEX 15 (France). To order, ring (33-1) 45 68 41 20; Fax. (33-1) 43 06 11 22.

For more information, please write to: IDNDR Secretariat, Office of the United Nations in Geneva, Palais des Nations, CH-1211, Geneva 10 (Switzerland). Tel. (41-22) 798 6894; Fax (41-22) 733-8695.