TO SUPPORT DISASTER RISK PREPAREDNESS, REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT, THE UN AND THE EU COOPERATED IN SEVERAL COUNTRIES AND REGIONS IN 2009:
In India and in South America, community-based disaster preparedness helped communities increase their resilience
to the adverse impacts of disasters among vulnerable populations, especially children and youth.
In Central Asia local communities and institutions were supported to prepare for, mitigate and respond to natural disasters. 500 schools in Tajikistan and Kazakhstan and 300 schools in Uzbekistan were supported in reaching out
to communities with information related to disaster risk reduction and disaster preparedness.
In Honduras, four schools were built with earthquake-resistant techniques, enabling the wider community to acquire skills to improve traditionally built houses. The construction of hammock-bridges ensured safe crossing over rivers during the rainy season, meaning 314 families could send their children to school. 2,500 men, women and children were trained in schools in responses to natural disasters.
In Kyrgyzstan, a disaster risk reduction programme was piloted in 16 communities, involving 30,000 people. It included research, workshops, simulations, and the creation of rural rescue teams. Communication materials educated the population on the main types of disaster, signs of threat, prevention and preparedness, and action to take during a disaster.
In Peru, the conflict analysis and prevention unit of the Prime Minister’s office was strengthened, reinforcing the government’s capacity to prevent social con$icts by promoting social peace and stability in areas experiencing emerging crises. The support also included measures to recover after natural disasters that could otherwise threaten stability.
In Timor Leste, the national disaster operations centre was strengthened and awareness and coordination of information concerning disaster risks was enhanced. Disaster risk management was mainstreamed into government planning.
In Bhutan, India, Nepal and Pakistan, regional climate risk reduction was supported in the Himalayas, to reduce risks faced by mountain communities from $oods caused by glacial lake outbursts and mitigate the impact of climatic hazards.
In the Philippines, Lao PDR and Cambodia disaster risk reduction was mainstreamed into second grade subjects of the national curriculum, and teachers were trained in the curriculum modules. School buildings were made more resilient to disaster by the development and application of school construction guidelines.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Volcanic Observatory of Goma was strengthened to monitor volcanic activity, which in case of eruption could create a humanitarian crisis affecting 1 million people. Institutional strengthening, equipment, training and exchange with international research centers were the main components of support.
Consequences of disasters can linger on for decades. More than 20 years after the nuclear catastrophe at Chernobyl, people in Belarus suffer its consequences. In 2009, medical specialists and scientists were supported to improve diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of patients suffering from thyroid cancer and other radioactivity-induced diseases.
