Press release

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.

Bombay and the surrounding region of Maharashtra have been hit by unprecedented flash floods that have already caused the death of hundreds of people. Half of the victims perished in Mumbai. Many people drowned or were electrocuted, but a lot of them died

The 3rd International Early Warning Conference (EWCIII) will be convened by the Government of Germany under the auspices of the United Nations from 27 to 29 March in Bonn, Germany. It follows the World Conference on Disaster Reduction in Kobe, Japan