International Recovery Platform

This publication outlines Sri Lanka's new approach to dealing with natural hazards in the context of disaster risk management. Issues addressed: (i) the need for education in disaster risk management and Sri Lanka's policy of teaching disaster safety in schools; (ii) the 'Disaster Risk Management & Psycho-social Care' project; (iii) results from the project, including educational facilities being better prepared for emergencies; and (iv) factors for success, including motivating political decision-makers, coordinating inter- and intra-ministerial cooperation, and utilising existing structures and processes to integrate disaster safety integration.

This concept paper links basic education and disaster risk management. In particular, the paper is aimed at personnel in international cooperation engaged in promoting basic education,
emergency/transitional aid, disaster preventive reconstruction and

The specific objectives for this study are: to assess the extent and nature of crisis experience in small firms; to identify planning and preparedness mechanisms and to assess how small firms have adapted; to assess the impact of Canterbury earthquakes on small firms’ operations inside and outside the ‘impact zone’; to assess the awareness of potential threats to business continuity planning for future events.