Natural Hazards and Disasters
UNESCO's work on natural disasters, which began in the 1950s, includes scientific work on the assessment of natural hazards (including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides and various hydrological risks) as well as the fostering of measures for disaster prevention and preparedness.
Objectives and approaches include advocacy of the need for a shift in emphasis from relief and emergency response to preventive measures and increased preparedness and education of potentially affected populations. Activities include the strenghening of scienfitic infrastructures, the design and setting up of reliable early warning systems and dissemination of mitigation measures, and proper information education and public awareness.
Recent and ongoing work include contributing to the Hyogo Framework for Action (adopted in Kobe, Japan, in January 2005), responding to the Indian Ocean tsunami, continued support to tsunami preparedness in the Pacific, the design of warning systems for tsunami and other coastal harzards for other regions and for the overall global system, and Support to countries in post-conflict and post-disaster situations (UNESCO intersectoral platform created in 2008).
- Support to Countries in Post-Conflict and Post-Disaster Situations: UNESCO Intersectoral Platform
- Contributing to the Implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015
- Towards a Global Early Warning System for Tsunamis and Other Ocean-Related Hazards
- The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) Disaster Mitigation
- Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands
- Sandwatch: Introducing Young People to Scientific Method through Beach Monitoring
- Traditional Knowledge and Hazard Management
- Education for Sustainable Development and 'Disaster Reduction'
- Participation Programme
- UNESCO Focal Points for 'Natural and Environmental Disasters' in SIDS Regions
See also the UNESCO website dedicated to Natural Disaster Reduction
Archive: UNESCO's Past Activities on Natural Hazards and Disasters