UNESCO Programme on natural disaster reduction
"genuine culture of prevention on a world scale"

Ø Genuine culture of prevention
Ø Natural Sciences Programmes
Ø Natural disaster reduction
Ø IOC
Ø MAB
Ø IHP

Genuine culture of prevention on a world scale
Mr. K. Matsuura, Director General of UNESCO, asked that the entire Secretariat mobilize and coordinate in order to reinforce the effectiveness of actions undertaken at all levels, at the same time ensuring that its initiatives complement the efforts of the United Nations system and the international community. "Beyond the urgent relief provided at the demand of stricken countries, we must become involved in the medium and long term. It is not UNESCO's vocation to give urgent humanitarian and medical assistance, but as a full-fledged member of the United Nations system, it must be prepared to respond appropriately, within its fields of competence, to the needs of suffering people," said Mr. Matsuura, emphasizing once again the absolute necessity of bringing about a "genuine culture of prevention on a world scale."

"We must work towards establishing risk-prevention policies, and towards extending warning systems available to the greatest number," he added. "This is a domain in which we have the means and the experience to act effectively and quickly. This should be one of UNESCO's major contributions, in the short, medium and long term."

Natural Sciences Programmes

Natural disaster reduction

UNESCO has many programmes in place that have proven experience in the scientific study and mitigation of natural hazards including earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, landslides and drought. The Organisation also works on the safeguarding and rehabilitation of educational and cultural institutions in disaster-prone countries. The earthquake programme of UNESCO dates back to 1960. It promotes a better understanding of the distribution in time and space of natural hazards and of their intensity, and helps set up reliable seismological networks; it encourages rational land use plans and secures the adoption of suitable building design.

Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission - IOC

The International Coordination Group for the Tsunami Warning System in the Pacific (ICG/ITSU) was formed in 1968 under the impetus of IOC. It is a subsidiary body of the IOC. The main purpose of the group is to assure that tsunami watches, warning and advisory bulletins are disseminated throughout the Pacific to States members of IOC. The IOC also maintains the International Tsunami Information Centre (ITIC) hosted in Hawaii at the US-supported Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC).

People, Biodiversity and Ecology - Man and the Biosphere

An inventory of biosphere reserves that have been damaged or destroyed during the earthquake disaster is already underway by the Ecology Division in the Natural Science Sector. The Director General has asked that attention is paid also to those sites that are not on the World Network of Biosphere Reserves list, but that present particular interest as ecosystems. He therefore asked for an environmental assessment to be launched, in order to measure the impact on the biosphere of certain animal or plant species becoming extinct.

Water - International Hydrological Programme

Considering that the distribution of drinking water becomes the most urgent among emergency activities immediately after a natural disaster, UNESCO-IHP has launched the project "Groundwater for Emergency Situations-GWES". The project aims to preserve the "clean water" contained in specific aquifer systems to be used in case of an emergency situation due to natural disasters such as the tsunami events. It is often difficult to organise a replacement water supply when regular water systems are seriously affected or even destroyed. Safe groundwater resources protected by natural barriers or by infrastructure can substitute affected drinking water supplies thereby eliminating or reducing the impact of catastrophic events on public health.

Mr. Matsuura has decided to bring up the question at international conferences upcoming in January in Mauritius and Kobe (Japan). The Sciences Sector will also work with the Education Sector to set up programmes in natural disaster prevention and sustainable development