Update

'If world governments could turn to a central information source on natural hazards, many lives could be saved through better preparedness' said Professor Bill McGuire of geophysical and climate hazards at University College London. Learn more about information tools at the Global Platform this week...

The final touches are being added to the Third Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, which will take place in Geneva, Switzerland from 8-13 May. The Global Platform will be opened officially by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on May 10.

'Satellite technology is useful not only to mitigate the consequences of earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters but also to predict these events, and it will be increasingly so as the technology becomes more sophisticated' writes the Georgian-based news agency, The Financial. Early warning will be on the agenda at the Global Platform...

'The traditional response model of aid isn't working - disaster risk reduction models are more sustainable development models. Governments are re-analysing their positions as aid is not going as far as they need it to go' said David Simmons of Willis Re. More on the economics of disaster reduction at the Global Platform...

Mayor Dieye of Saint Louis has undertaken a project aiming to protect the city's 250,000 citizens from flooding. ‘My City and Your City’, tells his story and exchange of experience with Mexico City's Mayor Ebrard, to be broadcast this weekend by BBC World News. Learn more about the two cities' experiences at the Global Platform...

After a long dry spell over the past month, drought conditions have threatened cereal crops, affected shipping on the Rhine River and increased the risk of wildfires, reports Gerard Wynn for Reuters. This is due to change as experts are forecasting rain. More on drought risk at the Global Platform...

With support from the European Commission, Tanzania is launching 'eco-villages' and what may be a new model for the continent on how to adapt to a future where climate change is bringing increasing unpredictability, reports Mohamed Issa for AlertNet. Climate change adaptation is on the agenda of the Global Platform...

The Danish Refugee Council builds permanent housing for a large group of returnee families in southern Kyrgyzstan. The initiative is part of an international effort to secure a sustainable rehabilitation process of Uzbek Kyrgyz returnees. More on structural safety at the Global Platform...

Purple S. Romero describes how Guinsaugon in the St. Bernard municipality that was covered by landslide in 2006 and lost 1,500 lives has discovered the importance of land use plans when developing new residential sites...

A new report from Transparency International warns of the increasing risk of corruption as funds are pumped into the various projects. It urges that 'Broader systems of governance need to be strengthened in many countries where adaptation is needed most'. More on governance at the Global Platform...