International seminar on natural disasters and sustainable development

Objectives:

• Review the experience of selected countries in emergency operations and assess the extent of damage to national economy, human life and the environment
• Identify disaster prone areas and recommend remedial actions
• Assess vulnerability factors
• Appraise institutional setup for disaster prevention and recovery
• Review approaches and mechanisms for evacuation, food aid, shelter and resettlement
• Establish an international forum of specialists concerned with disaster prevention and disaster management

Topics:

The Seminar will appraise on a country wide scale and on the base of case studies the connection between the occurrence of disasters and sustainable development. Contributions are requested from among the following themes and related topics:

1. Experiences of countries that have faced natural disasters in recent times

• Tsunamis
• Hurricanes and typhoons
• Floods
• Droughts
• Earthquakes
• Volcanic eruptions
• Other disasters

2. Disaster mitigation and preparedness

• Preventive measures
• Early warning
• National stock piles
• Food security
• Institutional framework
• International experiences

3. Emergency operations

• Rescue operations
• Evacuation
• Food aid
• Shelter

4. Recovery

• National and international assistance
• Reconstruction and resettlement

Seminar format:

The seminar will consist of plenary lectures, contributory papers and discussions with scientists, policy planners, practitioners and representatives from governments, industry and NGOs. The proceedings will be published by ISSDA.

The programme includes a visit to the Earthquake Observatory in Göttingen.