An atoll in the Rep. of Kiribati by Flickr user, luigig, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic, http://www.flickr.com/photos/luigi_and_linda/2570411802/
A recent project, the Pacific Disaster Risk Assessment could have a major influence on how Pacific Island countries deal with natural hazards including earthquake, tropical cyclones, tsunami, severe local storms, floods, storm surges, and landslides, reports the Solomon Times.
“Governments can use this information to predetermine the cost of potential damage should a natural disaster strike,” said Michael Bonte-Grapentin who presented the Pacific Disaster Risk Assessment database to scientists at the SOPAC/STAR (Science, Technology and Resources Network) in Nadi.
“This makes it possible to invest in disaster risk reduction by, for example, strengthening buildings to resist earthquakes, or building schools on higher ground” he added.