Update

The development of an early warning system for natural hazards has been re-launched by the Finnish Meteorological Institute....

"Essentially, the purpose of the study is to reduce the vulnerability of Portmore to natural hazards" said Norman Harris, at the Mines and Geology Division.

'This year California has already faced a destructive fire season, underscoring the importance of legislation signed today that will help us do even more to prevent these fires from starting in the first place' said California's Governor....

United Nations Secretary-General, Bang Ki-moon, discusses the importance of International Disaster Risk Reduction Day, to be observed next week....

'The impact of climate change is clearly felt. It is a fact that it is only going to get drier' said Jennifer Moetie, a meteorologist at the Namibian Meteorological Service...

An NGO-run project to help alleviate vulnerabilities caused by natural calamities has been judged as the most effective of its kind in the storm-prone coastal province of Quang Ngai after three years of operation....

The regional arm of the United Nations in Asia and the Pacific is teaming up with China to create a disaster risk reduction framework that could help save lives and reduce the damage caused by disasters in the future....

'Geohazard mapping is important as it indicates danger zones vulnerable to disasters such as landslides, flashfloods, liquefaction and other natural disasters' said Noel Angeles of the Dep of Environment and Natural Resources....

'Today it is possible to protect health facilities from such adverse events with current knowledge and a strong commitment and even with limited resources in developing countries such as Fiji' said Joe Singh...

The Guardian reports on the challenges ahead in implementing measures to adapt to climate change: 'strengthened flood prevention measures, early warning systems and sound building codes...' as stated by Sha Zukang, UN under-secretary general for economic and social affairs....