All hazards

Citation

(2007), "All hazards", Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 16 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/dpm.2007.07316cag.001

All hazards

Below are new or updated internet resources that the Natural Hazards Center staff have found informative and useful. For a more complete list, visit www.colorado.edu/hazards/resources/sites.html

All hazards

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)www.fema.gov/

FEMA’s web site now contains thousands of pages of hazards/disaster information – text, graphics, photos, tables, maps – about the agency itself and its ongoing programs; current disaster situations; and disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation generally. The home page provides immediate access to news about recent and ongoing disasters, general news about policy and program developments, and much background information about both the agency and natural disasters.

FEMA has also posted a map of the USA that lists federally declared disasters for each state in a given year at www.fema.gov/disasters. That page links to descriptions of FEMA response and other information about these disasters. Additional information on different types of hazards and disaster maps may be found at www.fema.gov/hazard/. Dozens of links to other internet resources are available via its Global Emergency Management Service (GEMS) page at www.fema.gov/gems/.

The site’s mitigation planning section www.fema.gov/plan/mitplanning/) offers information on what individuals, families, and businesses can do to lessen disaster impacts. It includes current mitigation news, links to mitigation documents available from FEMA, information about the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, and information about FEMA’s HAZUS disaster loss estimation software. It also offers extensive sections on mitigation for homeowners, building professionals, communities, businesses, and school and childcare facilities, as well as mitigation best practices and case studies. The Mitigation Best Practice Portfolio (www.fema.gov/fima/bp.shtm) is a collection of ideas, activities, projects, and funding sources that can help reduce or prevent the impacts of disasters. This web page also invites users to submit their own mitigation best practices for review and possible inclusion in the portfolio.

The agency also offers emergency management training materials and courses online at www.fema.gov/emi/training.htm. The Emergency Management Insitute section also provides much of the information developed by the institute’s Higher Education Project (http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/edu), which offers online indices of emergency management education programs offered in the USA as well as the complete course materials developed by educators for the project.

National Response Planwww.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/editorial/editorial_0566.xml

The National Response Plan establishes a comprehensive all-hazards approach to enhance the ability of the USA to manage domestic incidents. The plan incorporates best practices and procedures from incident management disciplines – homeland security, emergency management, law enforcement, firefighting, public works, public health, responder and recovery worker health and safety, emergency medical services, and the private sector – and integrates them into a unified structure. It forms the basis of how the federal government coordinates with state, local, and tribal governments and the private sector during incidents. The plan, updates, and the Quick Reference Guide to the National Response Plan are available at this web site.

Nationwide Plan Review: Phase I Reportwww.iaem.com/documents/Phase1Report-SubmittedtoCongress.pdf

Released in February 2006, the US Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Nationwide Plan Review: Phase I Report (36 pp.) provides the status of catastrophic planning in every state and 75 of the nation’s largest urban areas. The report to Congress presents the initial findings based on the self assessments of emergency operations plans conducted by states, territories, and urban areas. It indicates that while current plans are generally consistent with existing federal planning guidance and voluntary standards, many states, territories, and urban areas are concerned about the adequacy and feasibility of their plans to deal with catastrophic events.

National Incident Management System (NIMS) Integration Centerwww.fema.gov/emergency/nims/nims.shtm

The NIMS Integration Center oversees all aspects of NIMS, including the development of compliance criteria and implementation activities at federal, state and local levels. It provides guidance and support to jurisdictions and incident management and responder organizations as they adopt the system. The site also includes information on NIMS training, downloadable documents, and tools and templates.

Telling the Tale of Disaster Resistance: A Guide to Capturing and Communicating the Storywww.fema.gov/pdf/fima/telling_the_tale.pdf

Across the USA, individuals, businesses, and communities are taking action to reduce or prevent future disaster damage. In many cases, these actions already have proven to be successful. In others, the test is yet to come. Either way, there is a story to tell. The challenge is to capture and promote these efforts in an interesting and effective way to motivate others to similarly protect themselves and their communities. Available free online from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (2001), this guide features examples of best practices and provides key considerations for successfully telling the tale of disaster resistance – developing story leads, researching and documenting projects, creating a finished product, and promoting those projects.

National Science and Technology Council Subcommittee on Disaster Reductionhttp://sdr.gov/

The Subcommittee on Disaster Reduction (SDR) is an element of the President’s National Science and Technology Council and facilitates national strategies for reducing disaster risks and losses that are based on effective use of science and technology. Chartered in 1988, the SDR provides a unique federal forum for information sharing; development of collaborative opportunities; formulation of science- and technology-based guidance for policy makers; and dialogue with the US policy community to advance informed strategies for managing disaster risks.

Grand Challenges for Disaster Reduction is a ten-year strategy for disaster reduction through science and technology formulated by the SDR, in collaboration with scientists and engineers around the world. It presents six grand challenges and provides a framework for prioritizing the related federal investments in science and technology to improve America’s capacity to prevent and recover from disasters. The Grand Challenges document as well as several other national reports are available at this web site.

American Red Crosswww.redcross.org

The American Red Cross provides extensive information on disaster mitigation, management, and recovery. In particular, a large collection of individual and community disaster preparedness, response, and recovery information is available from www.redcross.org/services/disaster. The material is available in many foreign languages. The Red Cross, in conjunction with several other public and private agencies that deal with disasters, also published the online Talking About Disaster Guide for Standard Messages – a set of standard disaster safety messages on 13 hazards, as well as general disaster safety information. Through this project, major national agencies have agreed on standard messages about disaster safety, and they encourage others to consult this guide when preparing information to ensure consistency in the messages presented to the general public.

Disaster Education, Preparedness, Planning, and Mitigation Librarywww.tallytown.com/redcross/educate.html

The Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross in Tallahassee, Florida, has prepared this comprehensive library of disaster education, preparedness, planning and mitigation articles, brochures, fact sheets, checklists, and publications from a wide variety of sources to support disaster preparedness and planning activities in the home, neighbourhood, workplace, school, and community.

US Geological Survey (USGS)www.usgs.gov

The USGS maintains many web sites with much useful information on geologic hazards, including a Hazards Theme Page (www.usgs.gov/themes/hazard.html) with sections on earthquakes, landslides, volcanoes, floods, and coastal storms as well as maps showing the distribution of hazards.

Their Natural Hazards Support System (http://nhss.cr.usgs.gov/) is a web-based tool that helps monitor, respond to, and analyze natural hazards events across the country and around the world. The web site contains dynamic, near real-time natural hazards information from a wide range of sources.

USGS also provides online access to its Publications Database via http://usgspubs.georef.org/usgsns.htm. The database includes comprehensive bibliographic information on USGS reports and maps published from 1880 to the present as well as references to non-USGS publications by USGS authors published from 1983 to date.

National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) Natural Hazards Datawww.ngdc.noaa.gov/ngdc.html

The NGDC Natural Hazards Data web site contains databases, slide sets, and publications available from NGDC on geophysical hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes and includes the Natural Hazards Data Resources Directory (www.ngdc.noaa.gov/seg/hazard/resource) published jointly with the Natural Hazards Center.

NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Servicewww.nesdis.noaa.gov

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) maintains many tools and assets for observing and analyzing hazards; conducts several programs for detecting, monitoring, responding to, and mitigating hazards; and offers numerous resources (primarily via the web) to educate the general public about these risks. In addition, NESDIS manages extensive databases concerning historical and current disaster events.

GAO Disaster Bibliographywww.gao.gov/docsearch/featured/dprr.html

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has posted this bibliography of its disaster-related products.

CRS Report: Federal Disaster Recovery Programs: Brief Summarieshttp://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/52792.pdf

This report from the Congressional Research Service summarizes principal federal disaster assistance programs. A number of federal agencies provide assistance to disaster victims; to state, territorial, and local governments; and to nongovernmental entities following adisaster. Among other forms of assistance, federal programs can provide grants, loans, loan guarantees, temporary housing, and counseling. This report will be updated as significant legislative or administrative changes occur.

HazNetwww.haznet.org

In 1998, the National Sea Grant network created HazNet, a web site devoted to coastal hazard awareness and mitigation. The HazNet site gathers information and resources from Sea Grant programs, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and other public- and private-sector sources to help people meet the challenges presented by such natural hazards as hurricanes, flooding, storm surge, coastal erosion, earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, and even volcanoes. Besides providing information about all these hazards, the site lists resources under the headings of Mitigation and the Built Environment, Mitigation Policy/Planning, Hazards Communication/Education, and Hazards Bibliography. The site also supports a bulletin board and discussion group and archives much other data and educational information.

ESRI Hazards Informationwww.esri.com/hazards

Under the Project Impact initiative, FEMA and the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) formed a national partnership aimed in part at providing multihazard maps and information to US residents, business owners, schools, community groups, and local governments via the internet. The information provided via the ESRI web site is intended to assist in building disaster-resistant communities across the country by sharing geographic knowledge about local hazards. This site allows users to create online hazard maps for which they can specify both location and the hazards to be shown. It also directs users to other sources of information – both on the web and in the real world.

US Department of Energy Center of Excellence for Sustainable Developmentwww.sustainable.doe.gov/ www.sustainable.doe.gov/disaster/disintro.shtml

The US Department of Energy’s Center of Excellence for Sustainable Development web site includes an extensive section on disaster planning that contains segments on key principles, case studies, codes/ordinances, articles/publications (lots of good ones), educational materials, and other resources. These pages offer information on how long-term community sustainability can be incorporated into disaster preparedness, mitigation, and recovery.

Institute for Business and Home Safetywww.ibhs.org

The Institute for Business and Home Safety is a consortium of insurance and reinsurance institutions dedicated to making natural disaster safety a core value among homes and businesses. Visitors to the IBHS site will find information about ongoing IBHS projects and other insurance industry initiatives, as well as online copies of many IBHS publications and safety brochures.

Federal Alliance for Safe Homes-FLASH, Inc./Blueprint for Safetywww.flash.org www.blueprintforsafety.org

The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes-FLASH, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting disaster safety and property loss mitigation. This public-private alliance of like-minded partners includes government agencies, construction and insurance industries as well as volunteer organizations. Blueprint for Safey is FLASH’s education program on techniques in disaster-resistant construction.

Natural Hazards.orgwww.naturalhazards.org

This well-designed site provides quick access to basic information on all types of natural hazards. For each hazard, information about the locations and seasons of greatest risk is provided, as well as links to selected web sites and educational products. A glossary of associated terms is also included.

Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistancehttp://coe-dmha.org

The Center of Excellence (COE) in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance provides education, training, and research regarding international disaster management and humanitarian assistance. COE is a partnership of the United States Pacific Command, the Pacific Health Services Support Area of Tripler Army Medical Center, and the University of Hawaii. Focusing on the Asia-Pacific region, the center conducts needs assessments, program development and evaluation, curriculum development, conferences, training programs, and research. The COE web site describes the many training and education opportunities supported by the center, incorporates an online version of the Center’s magazine The Liaison, and provides much other information and publications about disaster management and humanitarian aid both in the Pacific Rim and worldwide. In particular, it includes an online version of Disaster Response: Principles of Preparation and Coordination, a classic text by Erik Auf der Heide.

Noah’s Wishwww.noahswish.org/index.htm

Noah’s Wish is an organization devoted to ensuring animal welfare during disasters. The site provides a variety of information and resources, including schedule information and requirements for their extensive national volunteer training program.

American Veterinary Medical Associationwww.avma.org/disaster/

The web site of the American Veterinary Medical Association provides educational materials to assist veterinarians, animal owners, and others interested in the well-being of animals in preparing for animal safety in the event of a disaster.

Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN)www.eden.lsu.edu/

EDEN works to develop or enhance educational resources on disasters and to educate and train state cooperative extension services staff. The EDEN web site provides extensive information about the network and many of the disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation resources the network has identified or prepared. EDEN maintains a shared database of disaster-related resources available from member states in addition to direct links to extension service disaster information available online. The site also provides a directory of state EDEN delegates with complete contact information.

PrepareNow.orgwww.PrepareNow.org

The Community PreparednessWebsite Project was undertaken to insure that the needs and concerns of vulnerable populations are addressed in the area of emergency preparedness and response. To achieve this, the PrepareNow web site attempts to integrate community-based organizations into emergency planning and management. Vulnerable populations include (but are not limited to) persons who are physically or mentally disabled, limited or non-English-speaking, geographically or culturally isolated, medically or chemically dependent, homeless, frail/elderly or children, or owners of pets or service animals. The PrepareNow web site provides a collection of disaster preparedness information in various languages; information on vulnerable populations; links to traditional emergency service providers and other disaster resources; an index of California Community Collaborative Groups; an events calendar; direct e-mail links to Bay Area programs addressing preparedness concerns of special needs populations; sample disaster plans, guides, and checklists; and other disaster preparedness information.

FAMComwww.family.crisissupport.com

FAMCom is an online kit designed to help families plan how to get in touch quickly during a crisis and prepare for potential crisis situations. The goal of FAMCom is to empower families and help them realize possible challenging situations and identify the steps they can take to be sure they will be able to communicate in any situation. The letters “F,” “A,” “M” and “COM” spell out the most important part of the guide – encouraging families to identify methods of “First Communication,” “Alternative Communication,” “Meeting Place” and “COMmunication with Others.”

US Department of Health and Human Services Disasters and Emergencieswww.hhs.gov/disasters/index.shtml

The Department of Health and Human Services Disasters and Emergencies web site provides categorized information relating to terrorism and other disasters. Topics include biological, chemical and radiological weapons; bioterrorism; disasters and emergencies; emergency medical services; environmental disasters; natural disasters and extreme weather; mental health and traumatic events; and safety of the water supply.

National Renewable Energy Laboratorywww.nrel.gov/surviving_disaster

Among its many missions, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory includes the integration of sustainable development and renewable energy into disaster preparedness, response, relief, recovery, and mitigation. This portion of the lab’s web site highlights technology, programs, publications, and other resources to further that end.

National Disaster Education Coalition (NDEC)www.disastereducation.org

The NDEC web site is composed of federal government agencies and national nonprofit organizations that work together to develop and disseminate consistent educational information for the public about disaster preparedness. NDEC member agencies ensure that disaster safety messages are appropriate, accurate, research-based, and crafted appropriately for the audience by using understandable language.

National Academic Consortium for Homeland Securityhttp://homelandsecurity.osu.edu/NACHS/

The primary role of the National Academic Consortium for Homeland Security is to promote, support, and enhance academic research, technology development, education and training, and service programs dealing with all aspects of international and homeland security, through collaboration and information sharing.

Homeland Security/Defense Education Consortiumhttp://hsdec.org/

The Homeland Security/Defense Education Consortium is a network of teaching and research institutions focused on promoting education, research, and cooperation related to and supporting the homeland security/defense mission. The consortium is committed to building and maintaining a community of higher education institutions supporting this mission and the overall homeland security effort through the sharing and advancement of knowledge. Web resources include suggested syllabi, course materials, and links to relevant web sites.

Disaster Research in the Social Scienceswww.udel.edu/DRC/drc40conference/

The Disaster Research Center has established this web site featuring results from its spring 2004 conference “Disaster Research in the Social Sciences: Lessons Learned, Challenges, and Future Trajectories.”

NIMSonline.comwww.nimsonline.com/

NIMSonline.com was launched to support federal, state, local, and tribal efforts to implement the National Incident Management System (NIMS). As an independent, multijurisdictional, and multidiscipline clearinghouse, this web site provides current NIMS news and open-source document access and serves as an information guide for the developing NIMS Community.

DHS/Homeownership Alliance Emergency Preparedness Guidewww.homeownershipalliance.com/documents/emergency_final.pdf

The result of a collaborative effort between the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Homeownership Alliance, this new “Emergency Preparedness Guide” outlines the steps homeowners can take to prepare for an emergency. It includes information on emergency supplies, effective family emergency plans, threats that homeowners may face, and resources available to homeowners through DHS, the Homeownership Alliance, and local government and community officials.

Federal Highway Administration – Homeland Securitywww.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/OpsSecurity/

The Federal Highway Administration has reengineered and expanded its emergency transportation operations and homeland security web site with the continued purpose of providing state and local agencies with valuable information to help them make wise decisions to improve the security of roadway operations. Resources are organized based on prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery classifications. New content includes sections on cybersecurity and funding.

Identification and Analysis of Factors Affecting Emergency Evacuationswww.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/contract/cr6864/

Available free online from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the objective of this study was to assess the emergency evacuation process in the USA, including evaluating evacuation experience (e.g. time to complete evacuation, traffic issues, deaths or injuries, etc.) and identifying critical factors affecting emergency evacuations (e.g. training, drills, preparedness, ad hoc versus preplanned, etc.). The study examined public evacuations of 1,000 or more persons in response to natural disasters, technological hazards, and malevolent acts in the USA between January 1, 1990, and June 30, 2003. Fifty evacuation incidents were selected for case study analysis.

Disaster Timelinewww.disaster-timeline.com/dtl.html

The latest version of the “Disaster Time Line” chart, which includes events and outcomes from 1979 through 2005 is available here.

72hours.orgwww.72hours.org/

Available in English, Spanish, and Chinese, this web site from the San Francisco, California, Office of Emergency Services instructs residents on how to prepare themselves and their families for emergencies. It also provides information on what to do in response to specific disasters, such as earthquakes and tsunamis.

National Science Foundation Disasters Serieswww.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/disasters/

Disasters, a special online report series from the National Science Foundation (NSF), highlights some of the disaster research supported by NSF.

Top Priority: A Fire Service Guide to Interoperable Communications (2005)www.iafc.org/home/nextel_handbook.asp

The purpose of this guide is to provide fire and emergency service agencies with a comprehensive understanding of interoperability. This understanding, in turn, can form the foundation for increasing the effectiveness of emergency response services and improving the safety of emergency response personnel. The guide proposes a common operational definition of interoperability, discusses the foundation for interoperable communications, and provides direction to establish interoperability between and among public safety services. Although written from a fire-service perspective, it is recommended for use by fire departments, emergency medical services, law enforcement agencies, and emergency managers. Available for free from the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM)www.iaem.com

The web site of the IAEM (formerly the National Coordinating Council on Emergency Management) includes information about the association, its mission, and its Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) program; details about IAEM conferences; a “Topic of the Month” section; lists of IAEM partners and experts; news regarding current issues in emergency management; and copious links to other emergency-management-related sites. The site now also provides online registration for the IAEM e-mail list dedicated to the discussion of all hazards and emergency management topics (iaem-list@asmii.com).

National Emergency Management Association (NEMA)www.nemaweb.org

NEMA’s web site includes on its history, publications, committees, and membership, as well as lists of upcoming conferences, information on regional communications, updates on current legislation and other federal issues, and state contact information. Of particular interest is NEMA’s extensive Hazard Mitigation Grant Program database, which tracks all federally funded Hazard Mitigation Grant Program projects. This database is intended to help state hazard mitigation officers share ideas and design practicable hazard mitigation projects.

National Institute for Urban Search and Rescue (NI/USR)http://niusr.org/

The NI/USR site includes information about the many projects undertaken by this group, and, among other items, the latest issue of the NI/USR newsletter Press On!; details about NI/USR’s annual meetings; links to the NI/USR online journal and related periodicals on the web; as well as information about NI/USR itself.

California Environmental Resources Evaluation System (CERES)www.ceres.ca.gov

CERES is an information system developed by the California Resources Agency to facilitate access to a variety of electronic data describing the region’s rich and diverse environments. The goal of CERES is to improve environmental analysis and planning by integrating natural and cultural resource information from multiple contributors and by making it available and useful to a wide variety of users. The site provides much information that is useful beyond California; it includes excellent sections on earthquakes (www.ceres.ca.gov/theme/earthquakes.html), the El Nino phenomenon (www.ceres.ca.gov/elnino), and wildfire (www.ceres.ca.gov/theme/fire.html).

University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service Disaster Serviceswww.ag.uiuc.edu/∼disaster/

The University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service Disaster Services offers a broad spectrum of information on current disasters, disaster preparedness and recovery, other agencies and networks dealing with disasters, and disasters generally.

Community Guidelines for Developing a Spontaneous Volunteer Planwww.illinoishomelandsecurity.org/pdf/spontvol.pdf

This document, Community Guidelines for Developing a Spontaneous Volunteer Plan, from Illinois Homeland Security was developed to help Illinois communities develop and execute a community spontaneous volunteer plan.

Virginia Cooperative Extension Disaster Serieswww.ext.vt.edu/pubs/disaster/disaster.html

The Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Home Page offers this “After a Disaster Series of Publications” – a wide range of useful material on postdisaster recovery – 30 publications in all, grouped into seven categories: safety, food and water, coping with stress, cleaning, insurance and contracts, landscape and agriculture, and roof repairs.

North Carolina Division of Emergency Management Hazard Mitigationwww.ncem.org/mitigation

Reflecting the increasing emphasis on hazard mitigation among government agencies involved in disaster management, the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management has created a comprehensive Hazard Mitigation web page for citizens of the state. This model site includes current information on mitigation funding, the National Flood Insurance Program, mitigation planning, legal services, publications, documents, presentations, upcoming events, as well as a section entitled “What is Your Risk?,” contact information, and mitigation-related links.

Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Developmenthttp://159.121.112.22/hazards/hazards.html

The goal of Oregon’s Department of Land Conservation and Development’s Natural Hazards Program is to provide for protection of people and property from natural hazards through sound land use planning. In addition to a special section on emergency preparedness, the main sections of the department’s web site feature four natural hazards common to Oregon: floods, landslides, earthquakes, and wildfires.

As part of its ongoing effort to help all New Yorkers better prepare for emergencies, the New York City Office of Emergency Management has released Ready New York for Seniors and People with Disabilities and Ready New York: Emergency Planning for Small and Mid-sized Companies. See www.nyc.gov/html/oem/pdf/seniors_disabilities_english.pdf www.nyc.gov/html/oem/pdf/rny_smallbiz.pdf

NASA Natural Disaster Reference Databasehttp://ndrd.gsfc.nasa.gov/ http://disasterfinder.gsfc.nasa.gov/

The Natural Disaster Reference Database page, assembled by the Earth Sciences Directorate of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, contains extensive bibliographic information on research results and programs related to the use of satellite remote sensing for disaster mitigation of all kinds. The Disaster Finder, at the second URL above, is “a complete index to the best disaster web sites on the internet.” It covers hundreds of disaster information sites, and, using either a keyword/concept search facility or category/type menu buttons, users can quickly identify specific sites that provide the information they need. The sites found by using the search engine are prioritized according to their probable suitability, and the Disaster Finder even provides short previews of the selections so that individuals can see what kind of information is available.

CBS News Disaster Linkswww.disasterlinks.net

Just what it says – dozens, if not hundreds, of links to disaster web sites arranged in approximately 30 categories (from “Satellite Images” to “Icebergs”) – brought to you by CBS News.

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Green Communitieswww.epa.gov/region03/greenkit/index.html

EPA’s Region III Green Communities web page includes a Green Communities Assistance Kit designed as a comprehensive reference guide for identifying and resolving needs, interests, and problems of a range of communities – urban, suburban, and rural. Included is a “Tools for Natural Disasters” page offering a lengthy list of internet resources divided into Policy and Planning Tools, Regulatory Tools, Technical Tools, and Financial Tools. These web links cover everything from hurricane preparedness training and guidelines to disaster response and recovery programs.

ReliefWebwww.reliefweb.int/rw/dbc.nsf/doc100?OpenForm

ReliefWeb is a site maintained by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA – see below) intended to aid national agencies and nongovernmental organizations involved in emergency and disaster relief worldwide. The site addresses prevention, preparedness, and response, and includes country and emergency profiles, a bulletin section with daily updates, a “What’s New” feature that directs the reader to recently added information, and various maps of countries and regions where emergency operations are currently underway.

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairshttp://ochaonline.un.org/

This site – the “Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Online” – is the principal source of information on the activities of OCHA, the United Nations (UN) agency responsible for UN response to disasters and complex emergencies. It includes information about the office; its latest emergency reports; emergency information by country/region; sections on coordination and emergency response, and disaster reduction; a list of OCHA publications; news about and from IRIN – OCHA’s Integrated Regional Information Networks www.irinnews.org/); and information on training, conferences, and workshops.

Global Disaster Alert and Coordination Systemhttp://gdacs.org/

The Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS), a joint initiative of the United Nations and the European Commission, provides near real-time disaster alerts and tools to facilitate response coordination. The purpose of GDACS is to provide the international response community with a platform to ensure that alerts and information relevant to a disaster’s response is exchanged interactively in a structured and predictable manner. GDACS will be activated when major natural, technological, or environmental disasters overwhelm a country’s response capacity and international assistance is required.

The Centre for Research on Epidemiology of Disasterswww.cred.be

The Center for Research on Epidemiology of Disasters at the School of Public Health, Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium, maintains one of the web’s more comprehensive databases of disaster information. The site includes background information; a “what’s new” update section; the searchable database covering over 10,000 disasters; “disaster profiles” (now including data on epidemics) presented in three sub-sets: “top 10,” “chronological table,” and “raw data,” and grouped according to country, region, world, and disaster type; summary data; maps; a bibliographic database; and links to other useful sites. Additionally, a country-by-country database compiled by the US Office of Foreign Disaster Assist and CRED is available via the United Nations ReliefWeb site: www.reliefweb.int (see above).

World Bank and ProVention Consortiumwww.worldbank.org/hazards/ www.proventionconsortium.org/

Because of its increasing awareness of the effects of disasters on development (and development on disasters), in July 1998 the World Bank established a Disaster Management Facility (DMF) to ensure that disaster prevention and mitigation are integral parts of development programs. The DMF web site includes much information on World Bank policy and projects in disaster management, good practices in disaster risk management, market incentives for mitigation investment, recent disasters, World Bank publications, current disaster news, key readings, and useful links.

As part of its disaster management efforts, the bank has created the ProVention Consortium, whose mission is “to help developing countries build sustainable and successful economies and to reduce the human suffering that too often results from natural and technological catastrophes.” More information about specific goals and projects is available from the web site above.

The bank’s web site offers other pages addressing hazards. For example, see http://wbln0018.worldbank.org/disastmgmtteam/disastmgmtteamopenar.nsf/Homepage/Homepage?OpenDocument – the section on “Disaster Management and Mitigation in Latin America and the Caribbean” – with information on all the World Bank disaster recovery projects in that region, as well as news about recent and ongoing disasters.

International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR)www.unisdr.org/

To continue the efforts initiated during the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (1990-2000) the United Nations (UN) established the ISDR, managed by a small UN Secretariat in Geneva. This web site provides extensive background information on the ISDR; a list of ISDR and ISDR-related events; online versions of the ISDR Highlights newsletter; descriptions of various ISDR initiatives; and numerous reports, tools, brochures, and UN documents.

The ISDR’s Platform for the Promotion of Early Warning (www.unisdr.org/ppew/) aims to help the development of early warning and preparedness systems by advocating for better early warning systems. Visit this web site, a growing information resource on early warning systems, and sign up for their quarterly newsletter.

The ISDR’s Unit for Latin America and the Caribbean launched this site, www.eird.org, to promote disaster mitigation in the region and to help the unit better respond to the many information requests it receives daily.

Worldwatch Institutewww.worldwatch.org/features/disasters/

Worldwatch Institute is an interdisciplinary research organization based in Washington, DC. The Worldwatch Institute has launched a two-year project addressing the intersections between natural disasters, environmental degradation, conflict, and peacemaking.

Emergency Preparedness Information Exchange (EPIX)http://epix.hazard.net

The EPIX was one of the original internet disaster sites and remains one of the most comprehensive. Established by the Centre for Public Policy Research on Science and Technology, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada, EPIX contains extensive information about both current situations and disaster management generally.

Regional Disaster Information Center for Latin America and the Caribbeanwww.crid.or.cr/crid/index.html

The Regional Disaster Information Center (Centro Regional de Informacion Sobre Desastres – CRID) for Latin America and the Caribbean is a multiorganizational project, housed in San Jose, Costa Rica, and supported by several international agencies. The main objective of the center is to facilitate access to technical and scientific information to improve disaster management in all countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. Specific objectives are to improve and broaden the collection, processing, and dissemination of disaster reduction information in the region; strengthen regional, national, and local capability to establish and maintain disaster information and documentation centers; promote communication through the internet and develop electronic information services; and contribute to the development of a Regional Disaster Reduction Information System. CRID provides bibliographic searches, either via the internet, by CD, or through direct contact with the center; publishes bibliographic material; offers direct access via the internet to an extensive collection of technical documents in full text (in both Spanish and English); publishes original documents and training materials; and offers many other services.

www.disaster.info.desastres.net

This web site offers access to a collection of “mirror sites” of many of the organizations with important disaster preparedness and prevention information regarding the Latin American and Caribbean region. Sites are hosted in their original language and each participating organization is responsible for the content of their pages.

Natural Hazards Project of the Unit for Sustainable Development and Environment, Organization of American Stateswww.oas.org/nhpwww.oas.org/usde/publications.htm

The web page of the Natural Hazards Project of the Unit for Sustainable Development and Environment, Organization of American States contains information, in Spanish and English, about the project’s various natural hazard mitigation activities – including programs in the areas of transportation vulnerability reduction, education vulnerability reduction (including effective postdisaster school reconstruction), and floodplain management – as well as announcements about upcoming activities, the project’s internship program, and contact information.

At the second address above, the Unit for Sustainable Development and the Environment has made the complete text of several disaster-related publications available on the web, including its 1991 publication Primer on Natural Hazard Management in Integrated Regional Development Planning, as well as Disaster, Planning and Development: Managing Natural Hazards to Reduce Loss, and Reduction of Vulnerability to Floods in River Basins. Many other documents on sustainable development are available. Spanish versions of some of these publications and other useful documents in Spanish are also available.

Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA)www.cdera.org

CDERA is an intergovernmental, regional disaster management organization with 16 participating states and headquarters in the Barbados. CDERA’s main function is to launch an immediate and coordinated response to any disastrous event affecting any participating state, once the state requests such assistance.The CDERA web site provides information on the organization and programs of the agency; details about emergency management arrangements in each of the participating states; a list of upcoming events; situation reports; links; weekly news; fact sheets on the various hazards of the region; and details about CDERA’s “Disaster Emergency Response and Management Systems” (DERMS) Project.

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canadawww.ocipep.gc.ca/index.html

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada offers emergency management and preparedness information in English or en français.

Canadian Disaster Databasewww.psepc-sppcc.gc.ca/res/em/cdd/index-en.asp

This database contains historical information on disasters that have directly affected Canadians, at home and abroad, over the past century. It includes references to all types of Canadian disasters, including those triggered by natural hazards, technological hazards, or conflict (not including war).

Emergency Management Australiawww.ema.gov.au

Emergency Management Australia has jazzed up its web site with a new look and new information. The site includes a section describing the agency’s programs and structure as well as pages covering current EMA activities, EMA media releases, and emergency management generally. It also provides a virtual library, community information, a summary of available education and training, and a list of conferences. It also provides an extensive new section on “Disaster Education for Schools,” with pages for teachers, students, and school communities, as well as a news section and an index of school disaster education resources – from web sites to books and videos.

The site is linked to Risk Frontiers (www.es.mq.edu.au/NHRC/web/front/homepagetables.htm) and the “Australasian Disaster and Hazard Research Directory” – a fully searchable online index that includes synopses, complete contact information, and other details for various hazards research projects in the Australia-South Pacific region.

New Zealand Office of Civil Defensewww.ew.govt.nz/regionalservices/civil/

The New Zealand Office of Civil Defense deals with natural and technological hazards and emergencies – providing national coordination and a range of support for local government and other emergency services. The office’s web site describes the agency, its programs and available training; offers tips on personal preparedness, as well as an overview of New Zealand hazards and disasters (particularly volcanoes); provides updates on ongoing emergencies; and furnishes an on-line version of the office’s excellent periodical, Tephra Magazine (www.mcdem.govt.nz/memwebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/The-Emergency-Sector-Publications-And-Documents-Tephra?OpenDocument&Start=1&Count=1000&ExpandView).

Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC)www.adpc.net

The ADPC, in Bangkok, is a regional center committed to the protection of life, property, and the environment in Asia and the Pacific. It assists local, regional, and national governments in developing their capabilities and policies through training, information provision, and technical assistance to mitigate the impact of disasters. The center web site includes pages about the ADPC, its information and research programs, learning and professional development programs, the Asian Urban Disaster Mitigation Program (AUDMP), its international consultancies and alumni coordination efforts, and its disaster network. The section on “Information, Research and Network Support” offers pages providing disaster information resources (categorized as hazard-specific information, country-specific information, disaster organizations, and reference resources), the center’s newsletter – Asian Disaster Management News, several ADPC online documents, a description of ADPC library services, and now, a searchable, annotated database of the ADPC library holdings.

Humanitarian Early Warning Servicewww.hewsweb.org/

The United Nation’s World Food Programme set-up this new web site to monitor natural hazards around the world and help the international community anticipate humanitarian crises. HEWSweb (Humanitarian Early Warning Service) is updated daily with forecasts from a range of specialized institutions on droughts, floods, tropical storms, earthquakes, and rarer events such as El Nino. It represents an interagency partnership project aimed at establishing a common platform for humanitarian early warnings and forecasts for natural hazards and sociopolitical developments worldwide.

Asia-Pacific Natural Hazards and Vulnerabilities Atlaswww.pdc.org/atlas/html/atlas-init.jsp

The Pacific Disaster Center designed this web-based hazards atlas to support disaster management and humanitarian assistance communities in the Asia-Pacific region and Hawaii. The updated atlas provides a geospatial framework through which a wealth of hazards-related information can be viewed, including real-time and historical tropical cyclone tracks, earthquake locations, wildfires, and tsunami runup zones.

Pacific Disaster Center/Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative Disaster Risk Management Communication Toolwww.pdc.org/emi/

The Pacific Disaster Center and the Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative developed this Megacities Disaster Risk Management Knowledge Base, an internet-accessible risk communication tool. The purpose of the knowledge base is to share and understand sound practices for disaster risk reduction and management that have been implemented in some of the world’s most disaster-prone urban environments.

Benfield Hazard Research Centre Disaster Reduction Gatewaywww.disasterreductiongateway.org/

An initiative of the Benfield Hazard Research Centre, Disaster Reduction Gateway promotes information sharing and cooperation among individuals with interests in natural disaster reduction. It includes links to web sites of UK- and European-based organizations and individuals involved in disaster reduction as well as links to courses, conferences, publications, funders, and more.

Benfield Hazards Research Centrewww.benfieldhrc.org/disaster_studies/rea/rea_index.htm

The Benfield Hazard Research Center’s rapid environmental assessment in disaster response web page has a training schedule, background papers, resources, and links to other information about environment and disasters.

Natural Hazards Center, University of Colorado at Boulderwww.colorado.edu/hazards/

482 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0482, USA. Contact: hazctr@colorado.edu Tele: (303) 492-6818.

(Abstracted from the Natural Hazards Observer, Volume XXXI, Number 3, January 2007).