Press release

“What we are witnessing now in the Caribbean is an example of an effective working early warning system” says Salvano Briceño, Director of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. “The timely warning messages provided by the US National

On the occasion of the International Day for Disaster Reduction, to be held on 12 October 2005, and to mark the International Year of Micro credit, the secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction is launching a global debate on how

The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction will launch today in Jakarta, Indonesia the first Disaster Reduction Library (DRL). The DRL is an ISDR initiative that will help communities to develop a culture of prevention and to become

Hurricane Katrina caused more than $125 billion in economic losses in the United Sates, four times more than Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which had been the most expensive natural disaster in American history. Of these economic losses, only one third was

On the occasion of the International Day for Disaster Reduction, Mr. Kim Hak Su, Executive Secretary of UN/ESCAP, will present The Sasakawa Award on behalf of the secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction to Mr. Chimeddorj

The torrential rains that caused flooding and huge mudslides, resulting in over a hundred deaths in Central America and southern Mexico prove again that we need to be better prepared against what is the most destructive type of natural hazard in the world

The UN Sasakawa Award Jury named Mr. Chimeddorj Batchulluun of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the Government of Mongolia as the 2005 Laureate for his efforts in raising awareness about the impact of the Dzud on pastoral livestock.

“The strong tropical cyclone in Louisiana and Mississippi, as well as the devastating floods in Romania, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Austria and Germany are yet another reminder that natural hazards are a global threat. We need to pay more attention to social

“What is happening in Switzerland and in Central Europe is a reminder that we are all vulnerable to natural disasters and that we should be constantly prepared to face them. Floods do not only happen in India or Sierra Leone, Europe can be badly affected

More than 140,000 hectares of forest and farmland have been destroyed in Portugal since the beginning of the summer affecting many households. The fires compelled the Portuguese Government to call on the European Union for help.