News and announcements

Innovations in technology have made it easier in the last decade to reduce disaster risks and plan for the future. The internet combined with technologies, such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), now makes it possible to better understand and communicate the social and physical complexities of disasters.

'We will need to cooperate with the UN and the East Asia Summit, to offer timely help to ASEAN member countries when disaster hits,'said Viboon Sanguanpong, general director of Thailand’s Ministry of Interior’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation...

US Sen. Gillibrand has urged the federal government to invest in both National Pre-Disaster Mitigation and FEMA’s Disaster Relief funds. 'These investments save federal dollars in the long term, as federal studies have shown that for every dollar spent on pre-disaster mitigation, three dollars are saved in disaster recovery costs,' she said...

'Nova Scotians need to prepare for the realities of climate change,' said Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau. 'Through this fund, we're encouraging community-based projects that help adapt to our changing climate.' The deadline for applications is June 22...

'People heard the warning, understood a weather hazard was imminent and took immediate action. We can build a Weather-Ready Nation by empowering people with the information they need to take preparedness actions across the country,' said NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D...

To improve preparedness, the Indonesian government has pledged to fund the improvement of critical infrastructure, and to increase the number of shelters and tsunami detection devices...

'We are very keen to use this event to engage the public on civil defence and emergency issues. We don't want people to be scared, we want them to be prepared,' said Paul Blewman, Waikato Valley Emergency Operating Area Manager...

'The government has launched an ambitious School Disaster Management Planning project from this academic session. Under it, teachers and students will be trained to deal with any natural disaster, including earthquake,' state education department joint director Dilip Debbarma told IANS, as reported by The Assam Tribune...