UNESCO's role : Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation

Despite the increasing frequency and severity of the catastrophes that strike humankind, it is becoming increasingly possible to prevent and mitigate the effects of disaster. Of all the global environment issues, natural hazards are in some ways the most manageable. The risks are readily identified. Effective mitigation measures are available.

This brochure presents the different types and aspects of disasters, and introduces the concepts of disaster reduction.

Operating at the interface between education, science, the social sciences, culture and communication, UNESCO has a vital role to play in constructing a global culture of disaster preparedness and mitigation. The Organization is closely involved in the conceptual shift in thinking away from post-disaster reaction to pre-disaster action. UNESCO has many programmes in place that deal in one way or another with the study of natural hazards (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, floods, tsunamis, droughts) and the mitigation of their effects. These programmes help us understand the mechanisms of natural hazards and to analyse why some of these hazards turn into disasters.

© UNESCO 2007
48 p., illus.

:: Full publication [PDF format – 2,10 MB]